Health Insurance

doncogs

Health care should be available to all and there should not be discrimination. Unfortuantely the government is not making it a choice to have private health or not. it merely slugs with hand and if you opt out it slugs you again. yes i know we are taliking about people who are over the means testing, but i think their motives are not sincere as it targets the majority to get the surplus it needs for political gain rather than the good for all

Hapirai

chookybo says: I have had private health insurance for many years. It might have been better to have put it in a savings account, but in my case I do not think so. Last year I had to go into hospital for a triple hernia operation. Because of my private health insurance, I was admitted 4 days after seeing the specialist.

Kessa1959

I would never be without health insurance. I like being able to have my own specialist in the hospital of my choosing with no waiting months (or in some cases years) for surgery.

I also have fortnightly physio & massages which I claim for. Have my eyes checked yearly and visit the dentist every six months.

My husband also regularly visits the Chiropractor and massage therapist as well as the dentist.

My parents are both pensioners but manage to afford their health insurance. They get a higher rebate from the govt which helps in paying.

Tricia

Yes there eas a time I said why am I paying this but early on my parents instill into all their children to have private health insurance why for 12 months my brother lived at childrens hospital no bill eas ever seen.Yes I had a cople of claims then when I was in late 20 's I had on operation and got golden staff the cost of hospital treatment was 1000's of dollars. In 2000I got sick taken to pubic hospital they didn't want to know me so I was sent to prviate hospital discharged still un well taken 3 more times to hospital before they worked out I had Whooping Cough no one thought I could get it I'd been inmunised. Result many weeks in hospital.The following Year I was hospitalised 5 times because of the damage done to my lungs I have had only 1 year since when I haven't needed to go to hospital.I know the staff the drs and have piece of mknd all bills are laid and I don't have to worry.Also in that tim I was in car accident TAC were being difficult so iniatally the bills went to my health insurer I was hospitals for 2 weeks then tranzfdrsd to rehab I did see those bill over $40,000 worth tht TAC eventuay had to pay so lookinv back you only need 1 thinv to go wrong and no matter what you ay in your life time gou are still in front no putting mkney into a bank account would help you out if it is a serios situation. So I will pay my insurance and have piece of mind thankyou.

PGS

One of the many things I don't like with health insurance is that if you pay 12 months in 1 hit & the rates change through the year, you either pay the extra or the term is reduced. It can't be done that way with cars/contents/house insurance, so why can they get away with it for health? Nope, it's just another insurance rip-off.

I put insurance companies in the same basket as politicians, banks & car sales people. Now if I can get the basket to stay at the bottom of the ocean without being charged for littering....

cazmaz

I'm glad someone agrees with me,finding it very difficult to keep up the premiums.I get annoyed because I still pay the same rate of premiums as when the whole Family were included! It's about time these Health Organisations asked "us oldies" what we want to be covered for ,I really don't need cover for pregnancy and birth!

pietam6

Health Insurance for me is a no-brainer, being on disability for decades...this is not a luxury, but a neccessity! Have had much surgery in both public and private hospitals...sometimes things go wrong and you are 'landed in it'. Some years ago, I had major abdominal surgery which went pear-shaped and ended up with a further 13 operations in 18 months. The upshot was many trips and weeks in intensive care...one bill came in (in 2003 prices) for the bed ONLY for three weeks, was $45,000.00. I, survived and have gone from strength to strength...still have the need for surgery occasionally. The myth of being able to choose your own doctor with Private Health Insurance is just that! Your doctor is invariably chosen for you, by reputation, your own doctor's preference, and sometimes sheer luck. Still, I would go without a great deal, in order to have the peace of mind, insurance gives (and in my case...provides!)

paradox

Hi krishy, guess what, I'm 67 and can't afford any insurance. I used to have them all: life, sickness, accident and health insurance. When I turned 55 after paying into my sickness and accident insurance fund for 35 years without ever making a claim I received my renewal notice: my contributions doubled and my benefits halved. I protested to no avail and reluctantly had to forego that insurance. I needed a knee op and my next health insurance bill almost doubled. It stinks that the insurance companies can do this to us and we have no recourse.

chookybo

I have had private health insurance for many years. It might have been better to have put it in a savings account, but in my case I do not think so. Last year I had to go into hospital for a triple hernia operation. Because of my private health insurance, I was admitted 4 days after seeing the specialist. Later in the year I had to be admitted to hospital for an Endoscopy. That was two hospital visits in 2010.

This year, I needed a hip replacement and because of the private health insurance I was able to have the operation 8 days after seeing the Specialist. I spent 5 days in a hospital and 13 days in a Rehabilitation Centre. I was informed that the operation alone would have cost about $22,000 - and I need the other hip done soon.

Up until last year I have only needed my private health insurance for dental work, glasses, physiotherapy, podietary and an endoscopy & colonoscopy (my dad had bowel cancer and died of oesophagael cancer) every 5 years. It has certainly paid for itself now.

As a person gets older, more things can go wrong. I have certainly been greatful that I did not drop out as others have done. If I had to go through the public system I would still be waiting!!!!!!!

Miss Prim

I agree health insurance is expensive but it is better to have it and get some money back than none at all. As you get older you get more health issues so I guess that is why it is important to have health insurance. HFC gives a pretty good deal. We would not be without health insurance.

snowbelldb

It is expensive but well worth it in my eyes. I had to have spinal surgery and if we had not had the insurance we would have been out of pocket about $30,000. I needed the operation and we would have had to get a loan for that amount. So whilst it is getting dearer, you never know when you will need it...

bronzzeAngel

Ok I have the premium health insurance you can buy. I chose to do so for some specific reasons.
They are

I wanted my eyes lasered. My company just pays 100% so now I have perfect eyes.
Cost of surgery Approximately $5500 for both eyes.
Premiums paid over the 3 year waiting period over $6500
Also while paying these premiums I also received over $3000 in dental work including crowns.
Visited the chiropractor and physiotherapist fortnightly. Cost over $1500 per year.
And of course while waiting for the laser surgery had at least 2 sets of glasses replaced and contacts paid for as well. Cost over $1000

Now that is just in 3 year period before I used the private hospital to have my son and enjoy the wonderful stay in a lovely hospital for a week. ( more like a hotel)
Now my husband is serving out the waiting period for his eyes and I cant wait to see him without glasses all the time. Oh yes he and the kids need glasses again.. mmm that will be over $1000... Though I refuse to pay much out of pocket. though it is better than the alternative.. My friend wearing "repaired" glasses for nearly ten years old while driving cos she cant afford to buy a new pair.

Anonymous

Hi well l supose its boils down to what you want private or public. There is affordable private insurance around if you look in to it enough.

Anonymous

i agree about health insurance their should be a law rose

Teegs

I think you have all inspired me to create a high interest savings account instead of having health insurance. My family and I are very healthy and I think in the long run this would be a better financial deal for us.

Anonymous

I think you have all inspired me to create a high interest savings account instead of having health insurance. My family and I are very healthy and I think in the long run this would be a better...

You bet your boots it would be better. Until recently we never had medical insurance which means we've saved many thousands of dollars. The few times we needed surgery it was well and truely covered by our savings. The only reason I have private insurance now is because I had Breast Cancer ten years ago and it took a long time to get into the public hospital when I could have gone straight into private if I'd had cover.

CaitlinMaree

working in an optometry practice, I see the never ending train of unhappy health insurance customers. these people are paying well above $200 a year, yet most of the time only get back around $200 for the year!

My boss does not have private health insurance, but puts aside money instead. he argued that the levy he pays for not having insurance is far lower per year than the amount he would spend on insurance. with the money he saves, he puts it into an account where it accumulates for the time he does need it. eg. his 2 yr old daughter was rushed to hospital with a severe infection, and he through his saving plan, he had enough to cover all the hospital bills with loads left over!

perhaps this is an option for those who see insurance as too costly for the rewards they recieve. this still does set you up for your older years too. if you are relatively healthy and dont use the money you have saved, you can keep it for a time (older age) when it would be beneficial to take out even basic insurance.

just a point to think about :)

lucylue

i agree the premiums are quite high however with the pressure on our public health system at the moment i feel that if i can afford to pay the premiums and get the reduction in fees for teeth and eyes for my children and myself that leaves someone who cannot afford healthcare a shorter wait. maybe a little naive on my part but hey my grandmother was in private health til the day she died and she said it was worth every penny to have her own doctors and room at a time when you want to keep what little dignity and self esteem you have left.

shachah7

they base it on risk analyses. the older you are the more risky hence require more money.

mermaid

Solstice I agree whole heartedly with your advice and continue to put a little away monthly for unexpected surprises. However, it is not always possible for some, which is where creative thinking comes to mind.

For those with grandchildren, share with your children that your new plan for health cover is to pop a small amount away each month. Your children will see this as a win / win equating the amount to caring for your grandchildren daycare or sitters cost.

porge

It is unfortunate that your dental and medical bills increase as you get older. The only way Health Insurnace providers can keep their premiums low is for more young healthier people to join health funds as they provide funds and make less claims. Let's face it, everyone gets old eventually.

solstice

I work with health funds and the number of people that complain about what they get for their dollar now is beyond beleif, yes they do charge way to much and give so little back. I put the money into a savings account and keep it so if i need surgery or anything i can pay for it and it means i am better off as i am not getting ripped pff by a health fund

Kessa1959

I work with health funds and the number of people that complain about what they get for their dollar now is beyond beleif, yes they do charge way to much and give so little back. I put the money...

This is good to a degree however my father needed two knee replacements and two lots of open heart surgery in an 18 month period. There is no way he would have been able to have saved up enough for all those surgeries. It only ended up costing him one excess of $200.

Dogs

Hi. Well, as an 'Oldie' I can appreciate this. However, it is only an insurance and a business and as such it is up to me, as a consumer, to shop around for the best deal. The secret is to do this regularly every year or so. I think that we have become lazy in our 'shopping' for all things and expect to have good deals handed to us on a plate and we should know.............that ain't gonna happen' baby :)

porge

Hi. Well, as an 'Oldie' I can appreciate this. However, it is only an insurance and a business and as such it is up to me, as a consumer, to shop around for the best deal. The secret is to do...

You can't change funds if you have a pre-exisiting condition which most older people have.

Dogs

Hi. Well, as an 'Oldie' I can appreciate this. However, it is only an insurance and a business and as such it is up to me, as a consumer, to shop around for the best deal. The secret is to do...

P.S. A Happy and Healthy New Year to all :)