herrchook

We'r wondering if it's worth applying for medical cover before we go. Is it worth it or should we just wait until we get there? How long does it take to be covered from application?

Also, are pre-existing conditions excluded or included at extra cost?

cheers

Gill

Birdey

hi Gill
Most medical insuracnes have a lock out period for claims (ie 12 months before you can claim dental) Most will lock out pre exsisting conditions, but some will cover after the lock out particularly if its a "new" requirement for treatment.
Dont know about all the others ut I used HBF and have alwasy been v. impressed.
Probably not worth pre arrangeing private health as the public system is generally v. good, so if you need treatment in the "lock out" them medicare will take care of it.
Not sure did this help?

chris and farideh

Hi,

we've just taken medical insurance for general extras (we were mostly interested in dental care & optical) , it includes for most things except for hospital covers,we have joined Mutual Community, there is lock in period for 12 months if you want any works to be done, but if you have private health insurance in UK, and you can prove it with a letter, where they can get in touch, they offer you the second year, where there is no waiting for anything, like us we were with HSA, so they are checking it out, this is what this insurance company is offering they might not all do this offer, so you might have to wait the 12 months.
So far Medicare has been fantastic, I've only been here 10 weeks.
Best check the Private health insurance when you get here there so many company& so many type of insurance, its really mind blowing, and they dont offer half as much as what private health insurance did offer back in UK.

Farideh

sid_s

If you have private health insurance in the UK and you do have existing conditions, then definately do your research before you leave. The insurance companies here allow you to transfer from an existing policy with no wait time provided that you are not without a policy for more than 1 month.

We did things this way - our son was born about 4 months after we arrived in Oz and we were able to have him in a private hospital with all costs paid by the new insurance company.

Sandra

Also have a look at the implications of taking out medical insurance as soon as possible depending on your age.

There are penalties in terms of premium costs if you do not take out insurance within certain time periods from when you emigrate.

I am not saying medicare is not good for the early years but think about your needs for later on. The government here is very keen on you taking out private medical and there are penalities on higher earners - over 50K single and approximately 100K family wihtout private medical. This is a extra tax called medicare surcharge levy which will be applied once a year and can come as a bit of a shock.

Without private medical a family of four with an income of $120K could be paying well over $1100 extra in tax a year for a family.

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/co...tent/17482.htm

Cheers