It's not worth the money we pay. I need some dental work done but our expensive cover hardly covers any of the cost.
I would love to just cancel it but there is always the fear of the unknown. You know , what if. Even the government tells us and the insurance companies that their policies are worthless.
Insurance should mean if I need something done, It should be done . I spend $280 a month for what ? Everyone I know says the same thing so I'm not alone.
Somebody's ripping us off. 
I hear you fellow insurer 
The best thing that you can do is to regularly review your insurance coverage, insure yourself for the components that concern you the greatest. Drop all the stuff that you wont use or are prepared to pay for up front like natural therapy,Physiotherapy,remedial massage,health checks,gym access and so on. Increasing your excess (why do we even have an excess anyway) may or may not save you $ depending on whether you need a hospital visit.
Select to expand quoteRex said..
I hear you fellow insurer
The best thing that you can do is to regularly review your insurance coverage, insure yourself for the components that concern you the greatest. Drop all the stuff that you wont use or are prepared to pay for up front like natural therapy,Physiotherapy,remedial massage,health checks,gym access and so on. Increasing your excess (why do we even have an excess anyway) may or may not save you $ depending on whether you need a hospital visit.
Did all that, but did you know that it can take years for the full benefits to kick in when you upgrade..? It sucks
!00% agree!! I hear that something like 5% of Members are responsible for about 80% of costs to the insurance companies.
I heard on the news the other day there is over 48,000 different policies and most of them are absolutely useless. I just changed mine from being $154 dollars a month back to $121.00
Still havent used it for anything in the past 4 years of having it. All its doing is supporting the guy who owns the companies bratty spoilt kids and his cocaine habit. ( He lives around the corner )
Has anyone got any better options ? As id rather spend it on fun stuff !
I was thinking the other day. I pay about 100/month for a crap plan that covers very little.
If if I saved that instead, I'd have 6000 after 5 yrs. The hard question is, will I need it in the next 5 years? Chances are not, but who knows. Would that 6 grand cover something I need doing? If it's an emergency it gets done anyway paid for by the man.
I think ink if you went without, it'd be wise to tuck away a bit of coin for anything that might pop up. Instead of spending it. At least the money would still be yours...
The real reason I keep it is to avoid paying more as I get older And become more likely to need elective operations.
In the context of a yearly lump sum health insurance is a lot of money.....divide the $100 by the days in a month and it works out to $3.30 a day.....does not seem that much does it.....how much do we spend on our internet, mobile phones, cars , houses and at what about all our toys? and all the rest? the list is very long...
This is what my wife and I do. Put a equall amount of what you would pay into a policy into our offset moretag account which we have a spreadsheet that shows us the break up of what money is for what such as bills, food, ect. then whenever you see the doctor or have dental work we draw from this account. This pays off our house as well as gives us enough funds for medical cost up to about ten grand. Just recently my wife needed expensive surgery costing close to $36000 where we were able to access her super fund to pay for best surgon in the best hospital. Sure this is hard work to do and may not help us for private in some cases but we have always managed well doing this and not at the mercy of insurance companie.
Insurance is not about claiming the amount you've spent. If it was they wouldnt make money. It's essentially about being for an emergency.
The issue is the insurers' advertise the opposite, they encourage you to claim the extras. Hence why people question its cost effectiveness.
Very true, all their adds promote claiming on little out of pocket expenses. However I think the big problem with private health insurance is, their lack of cover for dental work. I recently looked into getting better cover and all of the policies really lacked in dental cover.
Good work Hardcarve1, you're beating the system with some basic financial planning and management. Interesting solution about using Super.
roybatty: The $$$ isn't the issue, it's about the insurance co's not being there in time of need after making years of payments. The Private health system is so fraught with deception you need a Bachelor of Business Law to make these services useful (plus the skills to argue over the phone with them).
The Motorcycling Riding Association had a write in their news letter a few years ago about members having accidents, having to pay large amounts of $$$ upfront, while insurance co's stalled, investigated, wrangled with the state governments over who paid for what. Some accident victims never got paid until a year later. Health Insurance really is a false sense of security.
Select to expand quoteroybatty said...
In the context of a yearly lump sum health insurance is a lot of money.....divide the $100 by the days in a month and it works out to $3.30 a day.....does not seem that much does it.....how much do we spend on our internet, mobile phones, cars , houses and at what about all our toys? and all the rest? the list is very long...
May not seem like much
But if that daily spend is actually useless
Then what's the point. .?
Ambulance cover is about all anyone needs
Select to expand quoteda vecta said..
!00% agree!! I hear that something like 5% of Members are responsible for about 80% of costs to the insurance companies.
As it should be.Select to expand quotebjw said...
Insurance is not about claiming the amount you've spent. If it was they wouldnt make money. It's essentially about being for an emergency.
The issue is the insurers' advertise the opposite, they encourage you to claim the extras. Hence why people question its cost effectiveness.
Exactly.
I would be in that 5% then. I had a Bennett's fracture in the 1st metacarpal in my thumb from a snowboarding accident. It was missed on the x-ray the next morning and I was told it was just a sprain and to stop my whingeing. After quite a few months of pain I decided to get a second opinion and a CT scan picked up the - now knitted - fracture. The surgeries to pull it apart and put it back together again were very expensive, and if I had to pay for them myself it would have beggared me (supporting, as I am, a young family on a single income). On the other hand, paying a couple of hundred dollars a month for the insurance (for the whole family) is affordable.
was very crook one day went to emergency, they thought I had pneumonia they gave me 2 options.
1. be a public patient and wait in the emergency dept till a bed frees
2. by a private patient and get a room on the spot
I chose option 2. Has anyone spent few hours in ER? Beds are as hard as a wooden plank, it is freezing cold and very busy specuially weekends when the fckucing idiots on meth arrive.
It is all a question of need or not!
Same for elective surgery, don't be in pain for years on a waiting list! Just jump at the top and have it now and then!
Just my 2 cents,. But I've never had private health cover even when I was young and believe me I've lost count of how many times I've tucked myself up. Years of racing Moto,. dirt and road and the usual kite injuries; knee injuries etc., I've also lost count of bones but I've always been covered. You just have to tuck yourself up properly and they will always send you straight through,. even when I had pneumonia. But if your not that hurt then it is a different story and then you need to look between you legs and weigh up what you do next!
The biggest reason for getting it is as my accountant always tells me is you more less tax by not having then just paying it. But I didn't like when they brought that rule in and I felt that they were trying to force me to have it, so on principle I say tuck it, ill pay!
had bupa for a year. needed wisdom teeth out and had facial swelling. they had a cap of like $200 for the 12 months.... seriosuly didnt go to far. canceled my health insurance soon after that.
Select to expand quoteHardcarve1 said..
This is what my wife and I do. Put a equall amount of what you would pay into a policy into our offset moretag account which we have a spreadsheet that shows us the break up of what money is for what such as bills, food, ect. then whenever you see the doctor or have dental work we draw from this account. This pays off our house as well as gives us enough funds for medical cost up to about ten grand. Just recently my wife needed expensive surgery costing close to $36000 where we were able to access her super fund to pay for best surgon in the best hospital. Sure this is hard work to do and may not help us for private in some cases but we have always managed well doing this and not at the mercy of insurance companie.
36k$!! hope they threw in a nice set of titties for ya
Select to expand quoteUnderoath said..
If I was to do my ACL - how long would I be waiting to have it fixed without PC?
Probably very quickly if you called emergency and went straight in to a public Hospital. I might be wrong but my wife broke her foot and got it seen to straight away. In fact I just looked it up and it is an emergency medical condition.
Both Robina and Gold University Hospital here on the Gold Coast are really good and we have had a couple of emergency's attended to with no hassle.Both of them public Hospitals.
Select to expand quoteGazuki said..
The biggest reason for getting it is as my accountant always tells me is you more less tax by not having then just paying it. But I didn't like when they brought that rule in and I felt that they were trying to force me to have it, so on principle I say tuck it, ill pay!
Yep, that's the real reason that there are so many junk policies out there and a lot of people don't care. The policy is only there to avoid the medicare levy surcharge for some people. They even try and force you into having it all the time in case you have to pay much more later when you pick it up again later. I had a period off work and I kept paying for this insurance even though I couldn't really afford it.
For some governments to say they don't subsidise businesses, the insurance companies seem to be the exception. They are subsidised by taxing us extra if we don't use them, even though you would think market demand would mean a good price would mean enough people would sign up regardless.
I guess if you want to dismantle medicare and make it like the US, you have to start somewhere. To my mind, make it all free, waiting lists and all, and if you are willing to pay extra, take out insurance to avoid the queues. That seems reasonable, but now, if you earn too much, you are getting it or you are getting penalised.
Select to expand quoteKozzie said..Hardcarve1 said..
This is what my wife and I do. Put a equall amount of what you would pay into a policy into our offset moretag account which we have a spreadsheet that shows us the break up of what money is for what such as bills, food, ect. then whenever you see the doctor or have dental work we draw from this account. This pays off our house as well as gives us enough funds for medical cost up to about ten grand. Just recently my wife needed expensive surgery costing close to $36000 where we were able to access her super fund to pay for best surgon in the best hospital. Sure this is hard work to do and may not help us for private in some cases but we have always managed well doing this and not at the mercy of insurance companie.
36k$!! hope they threw in a nice set of titties for ya
and some for her too in case she got bored with yours
Select to expand quoterockmagnet said..
I would love to just cancel it but there is always the fear of the unknown. You know, what if.
You'll still have to pay practically all of it.
I'm so glad this has been a huge talking point lately. I had a ****ty year last year where I was on crutches for a couple of months. After going through specialist after another type of specialist after yet another type of specialist after scan after x-ray after scan after MRI after scan after x-ray after injection after injection and so on and on and on I finally found a doctor that actually did something
...aaaaand I got $19 back for a $5,000 operation.
I asked BUPA "what if I had the platinum super most expensive cover? What then?" I'd have gotten $75 back.
The reason for this is that medicare didn't cover the operation. Removal of a heel spur by a podiatrist. It was the only thing that made any difference (a huge difference) from all the doctors I visited.
I'm especially pissed at the specialists that spend many months and many scans coming to the exact same conclusion i came to on google after 5 minutes. And then recommend I come back again in two weeks, so they can prescribe me something my GP can for free. They want repeat customers.
It. Is. A. Scam. At. The. Highest. Level.
I've turned into one of those old men that call doctors 'quacks'. It's true; they really don't understand the human body enough to do any more than identify your condition and tell you its name, and give you some drugs.
Select to expand quotefelixdcat said..
Same for elective surgery, don't be in pain for years on a waiting list! Just jump at the top and have it now and then!
Or go to Thailand and get it done for 1/10 the price by a surgeon who actually speaks English ;)
Someone told me that their friend contracted terminal brain cancer and their insurance wouldn't cover the treatment. They had to sell their house.
Why would this be?
Select to expand quoteUnderoath said..
If I was to do my ACL - how long would I be waiting to have it fixed without PC?
Probably very quickly if you called emergency and went straight in to a public Hospital. I might be wrong but my wife broke her foot and got it seen to straight away. In fact I just looked it up and it is an emergency medical condition.
Both Robina and Gold University Hospital here on the Gold Coast are really good and we have had a couple of emergency's attended to with no hassle.Both of them public Hospitals.
If you did your ACL, the timing of your repair in the public system would be dependent on a few factors, including
1. your occupation. If you have a sedentary job you are at the back of the que. If you need high knee function to support yourself such as a roof carpenter then you will move up a bit to the front. It's cheaper to get you in and out of hospital than to pay your social security.
2. Your age. ACL repairs are more important in the younger population to reduce the risk of arthritis (but that is a big debate...) oiver 40 then you can probably do without one for a while...
3 Your location. Some regional hospitals may have an orthopod on their books who isn't very busy, so in you go
4 The rest of the population. The guy that is doing your acl in the public system is the same guy that is replacing grannies hip, fixing young Tyrones dislocated elbow, putting metal into aunty Berryl's knee and looking at uncle Barry's munted shoulder. The length of time that they are in the que will have a bearing on your length of time.
5. There may be a few guys in training who want a bit of acl experience and they will be 'given a go' at your knee. Don't worry the consultant will probably be in the next theatre fixing up old butterfingers attempt at putting a rod in the motor bike riders femur, but he can help out if the blade gets stuck...
So as always private health cover is just like car insurance. You have your compulsory cover (CTP/medicare) and your optional Comprehensive/private health. There is no right or wrong answer, just your acceptance of level of risk.
On a side note I occasionally have patients asking for reduced rate as they don't have private cover....... If they are happy to service my car, fix my reticulation or paint my back deck then I will give them their discount
Select to expand quoteJulianRoss said...Underoath said..
If I was to do my ACL - how long would I be waiting to have it fixed without PC?
Probably very quickly if you called emergency and went straight in to a public Hospital. I might be wrong but my wife broke her foot and got it seen to straight away. In fact I just looked it up and it is an emergency medical condition.
Both Robina and Gold University Hospital here on the Gold Coast are really good and we have had a couple of emergency's attended to with no hassle.Both of them public Hospitals.
If you did your ACL, the timing of your repair in the public system would be dependent on a few factors, including
1. your occupation. If you have a sedentary job you are at the back of the que. If you need high knee function to support yourself such as a roof carpenter then you will move up a bit to the front. It's cheaper to get you in and out of hospital than to pay your social security.
2. Your age. ACL repairs are more important in the younger population to reduce the risk of arthritis (but that is a big debate...) oiver 40 then you can probably do without one for a while...
3 Your location. Some regional hospitals may have an orthopod on their books who isn't very busy, so in you go
4 The rest of the population. The guy that is doing your acl in the public system is the same guy that is replacing grannies hip, fixing young Tyrones dislocated elbow, putting metal into aunty Berryl's knee and looking at uncle Barry's munted shoulder. The length of time that they are in the que will have a bearing on your length of time.
5. There may be a few guys in training who want a bit of acl experience and they will be 'given a go' at your knee. Don't worry the consultant will probably be in the next theatre fixing up old butterfingers attempt at putting a rod in the motor bike riders femur, but he can help out if the blade gets stuck...
So as always private health cover is just like car insurance. You have your compulsory cover (CTP/medicare) and your optional Comprehensive/private health. There is no right or wrong answer, just your acceptance of level of risk.
On a side note I occasionally have patients asking for reduced rate as they don't have private cover....... If they are happy to service my car, fix my reticulation or paint my back deck then I will give them their discount
Do you do mates rates for windsurfing Seabreezers??
Health insurance is an industry protected by law and through the tax system effectively forcing tax payers to become customers. As a result health insurance is bad value for money. It is natural this is the nature of the product. If you ran a business that forced customers to buy products or services off you because otherwise they would be penalised by law, would it be in your interest to provide a value for money product or service for customers or not?
The irony lost on most is this system was brought in by the Liberals who supposibly believe in freedom of choice and the rights of individuals but when it comes down to it don't mind using the power of the State to bully citizens around.
Select to expand quotepatsken said..JulianRoss said...Underoath said..
If I was to do my ACL - how long would I be waiting to have it fixed without PC?
Probably very quickly if you called emergency and went straight in to a public Hospit I might be wrong but my wife broke her foot and got it seen to straight away. In fact I just looked it up and it is an emergency medical condition.
Both Robina and Gold University Hospital here on the Gold Coast are really good and we have had a couple of emergency's attended to with no hassle.Both of them public Hospitals.
If you did your ACL, the timing of your repair in the public system would be dependent on a few factors, including
1. your occupation. If you have a sedentary job you are at the back of the que. If you need high knee function to support yourself such as a roof carpenter then you will move up a bit to the front. It's cheaper to get you in and out of hospital than to pay your social security.
2. Your age. ACL repairs are more important in the younger population to reduce the risk of arthritis (but that is a big debate...) oiver 40 then you can probably do without one for a while...
3 Your location. Some regional hospitals may have an orthopod on their books who isn't very busy, so in you go
4 The rest of the population. The guy that is doing your acl in the public system is the same guy that is replacing grannies hip, fixing young Tyrones dislocated elbow, putting metal into aunty Berryl's knee and looking at uncle Barry's munted shoulder. The length of time that they are in the que will have a bearing on your length of time.
5. There may be a few guys in training who want a bit of acl experience and they will be 'given a go' at your knee. Don't worry the consultant will probably be in the next theatre fixing up old butterfingers attempt at putting a rod in the motor bike riders femur, but he can help out if the blade gets stuck...
So as always private health cover is just like car insurance. You have your compulsory cover (CTP/medicare) and your optional Comprehensive/private health. There is no right or wrong answer, just your acceptance of level of risk.
On a side note I occasionally have patients asking for reduced rate as they don't have private cover....... If they are happy to service my car, fix my reticulation or paint my back deck then I will give them their discount
Do you do mates rates for windsurfing Seabreezers?? Select to expand quoteJulianRoss said..Underoath said..
If I was to do my ACL - how long would I be waiting to have it fixed without PC?
Probably very quickly if you called emergency and went straight in to a public Hospital. I might be wrong but my wife broke her foot and got it seen to straight away. In fact I just looked it up and it is an emergency medical condition.
Both Robina and Gold University Hospital here on the Gold Coast are really good and we have had a couple of emergency's attended to with no hassle.Both of them public Hospitals.
If you did your ACL, the timing of your repair in the public system would be dependent on a few factors, including
1. your occupation. If you have a sedentary job you are at the back of the que. If you need high knee function to support yourself such as a roof carpenter then you will move up a bit to the front. It's cheaper to get you in and out of hospital than to pay your social security.
2. Your age. ACL repairs are more important in the younger population to reduce the risk of arthritis (but that is a big debate...) oiver 40 then you can probably do without one for a while...
3 Your location. Some regional hospitals may have an orthopod on their books who isn't very busy, so in you go
4 The rest of the population. The guy that is doing your acl in the public system is the same guy that is replacing grannies hip, fixing young Tyrones dislocated elbow, putting metal into aunty Berryl's knee and looking at uncle Barry's munted shoulder. The length of time that they are in the que will have a bearing on your length of time.
5. There may be a few guys in training who want a bit of acl experience and they will be 'given a go' at your knee. Don't worry the consultant will probably be in the next theatre fixing up old butterfingers attempt at putting a rod in the motor bike riders femur, but he can help out if the blade gets stuck...
So as always private health cover is just like car insurance. You have your compulsory cover (CTP/medicare) and your optional Comprehensive/private health. There is no right or wrong answer, just your acceptance of level of risk.
On a side note I occasionally have patients asking for reduced rate as they don't have private cover....... If they are happy to service my car, fix my reticulation or paint my back deck then I will give them their discount
How does a "consultant" become so good, surely their craft has been gained from years of practice in the public system having a crack at Berryl,Barry and Tyrone‘s bits ? 
It is an absolute joke. Considering the public health system is so good. My mate blew his shoulders. Had the first OP private. After the insurance paid he still had a 7k gap. Next shoulder went public. Had the exact same OP for $0. Only had to wait 3 months.
I'm booked in with for the same OP through public. The max waiting time is 1 year. If your can hold out. I would recommend it.
How does a "consultant" become so good, surely their craft has been gained from years of practice in the public system having a crack at Berryl,Barry and Tyrone‘s bits ?
That's exactly right young Col.... just depends where he/she is on the learning curve. All about your acceptance of level of risk.
