manxfamily

Hello all

My main source in oz has been giving me the impression that the general consensus of the availability of service for people on medicare is generally poor and most people are now looking at taking out private medical insurance.

Any opinions on this and any comments on the health care service available in australia?

JAJ

It's effectively compulsory if you are a 'high income' earner (>AUD50k pa for a single person) because of the 1% Medicare levy surcharge.


Jeremy

Milo

Hi manxfamily,

Depends on what your requirments are going to be when you get here.

We are a family of five, our GPs bulk bill so no payments when seeing GP. We have only used the emergency services of our local hospital for one 9 year old child and that was excellent and a referral to the skin specialist for eldest daughter, which we thought was excellent and again this was all bulk billed so covered by medicare for two consultations and bloods taken, in fact all we have needed so far has been on medicare. We don't have private medical insurance as we are over 31 (well over) and would need to pay a big loading on that (about 60% extra). We do have what they call optional extras such as ambulance cover, optical, dental ect. I am a nurse and see what the health service here in Sydney has to offer, I am quite sure at the moment we do not need private medical insurance, but that may change in the future.

Marie

achish

The care in hospitals I find is still good under the public system. The waiting period for certain operations are quite lengthy. Although going under the private insurance umbrella isn't that speedy anymore. I would definatly go with a private dental fund but if you are in good health I wouldn't bother. We have only been in private for a few years ourselves now although we have had dental for longer. The one time we thought we'd use it our doctor told us to go public as the private hospital here didn't have any doctors on call at night. My hubby had a bad chest infection. We thought.we've been paying all this money in monthly and for what

Wol

I don't know how long you've been in Oz but if it's less than 12 months you can get Lifetime Health Cover with no age loading. Check it out!

ABCDiamond

I've found the general health care under Medicare to be good enough. I've spent time in Hospital, including an 8 week period, and had no complaints.

My opinion on Health Insurance is that it is all a gamble, some people win others won't, but that's the nature of insurance.

I choose to pay the premiums to myself And so far I am quids ahead

Milo

We've been here almost 2 years so don't qualify, think I'll check with my health insurance though.

Thanks for that!

Marie

ABCDiamond

Some figures of those with Private Health Insurance, from http://www.tai.org.au/Publications_F...y%20income.pdf

Distribution of private health insurance cover by life-stage, 2004
Percentage of individuals with private health insurance

9% - Dependent Youth
13% - Young Single Parent
20% - Young Worker At Home
20% - Young Married Children earning less than $40,000
22% - Young Married No Children earning less than $40,000
26% - Older Single Non Worker
31% - Young Single Left Home
33% - Older Married Children earning less than $40,000
33% - Older Single Parent
43% - Older Married No Children earning less than $40,000
43% - Older Single Working
44% - Young Married No Children earning more than $40,000
48% - Young Married Children earning more than $40,000
65% - Older Married Children earning more than $40,000
68% - Older Married No Children earning more than $40,000
41% - Average

MrsDagboy

How do I get myself some of those children that earn more than $40,000 year ABC?

Ian12

I do not have private insurance either. I tried to get extra options to cover just ambulance but could find no one who who sell me this.

kirsty&al

Hello

Have you had a look at this website?
http://www.iselect.com.au/

It helps you to pick and mix your cover requirements and then comes up with a list of policies that match.

You have to register to see the results, but it is free.

Regards
Alistair

ABCDiamond

Contact http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/area...ees/cover.html

They do state that some funds also offer "ambulance only" insurance.
Therefore they should be able to tell you which ones.

Or
http://www.ahmg.com.au/content/showp....asp?page=2081
If you are a NSW or ACT resident you can take out ahm ambulance cover only.

Ian12

Many thanks --- will do

lynnlovessun

Sorry i'm so dumb and new to this - so if you just have basic medicare and no private insurance to cover ambulances what happens if you drop dead in the street - would someone not call an ambulance!!!???? If the ambulance did come would they turn you away for not having cover!!? Sorry stupid q's I know but i'm confused as i've never considered this before.

Someone help me out!?

Lynn

ABCDiamond

If you live in QLD you already have cover

It's all done in the Electricty Bill, so that ALL Queensland Residents are covered.
http://www.ambulancecover.qld.gov.au/