Chortlepuss

I've just had minor surgery in a Private Hospital. Nice to book the exact date, and the surgeon I want - but although I hold expensive Health Insurance with MBF including Hospital Cover, I ended up paying a huge proportion of the bill myself (out of pocket expenses, non refundable gap fees etc...). Since I've been in Oz I've paid a fortune in MBF Monthly fees for my family, and not come close to getting anything like my contributions back.

My GP refused to refer me to the public sector, saying as my operation wasn't life threatening I'd never be seen....But it made me aware that I just wouldn't be able to afford to be treated privately for anything more serious.

So is it sensible to just put my MBF contributions into an separate bank account, and use this for non urgent medical matters where private care may be convenient? (anything serious - presumably I'd be better off in the public system anyway?)
I'd welcome views on this - seems a bit silly to subscribe to a private health fund when they contribute such a small percentage in the event of you requiring treatment.

Wol

This is the reality of private insurance in Oz - it ain't anything like what you may have been used to in England.

It *will* pay most of the hospital bills, but, depending on your specialists' fees, you have to put an awful lot extra in yourself. Our bills for operations have amounted to tens of thousands of dollars in the five years we've been here - probably more than we saved in not paying the surcharge,