grapii

Thank you all for your contribution. Understanding the process, cost and variety of offerings from the health providers is a complete nightmare. I didn't even think about the kids dental needs, they're young right now, but I'm sure they'll require something as they get older!

Now I'm thinking is it worth changing my health fund from HBF to Medibank or Bupa. I only single these three out as I can get corporate cover with these providers which works out cheaper.

We're no way close to the family limit for the additional levy charge, as I'm the only income provider, and my income is almost half the limit set.

I don't mind paying a higher premium if it covers everything, but by all accounts it doesn't, and I hate to worry about finance issues when there's medical concerns more apparent.

jad n rich

Just want to thank OS for posting this. Have brought forward all medical stuff we know of into this tax year.

The way this government penalises families who work hard makes me mad

stevemich

With regard to the bit in bold... I have a family, but we only have my income which is above $84k... do they consider us as a single (i.e. single income) or a family??

or put another way, if I earn (on one salary) more than $84k but less than $168k, but have a family - will I get the rebate?

excuse my ignorance!

Tramps_mate

You're a family below the $168k threshold.

stevemich

cheers thats good news for a change!

KJCherokee

What the original post shows clearly is the importance of not assuming that a system in Australia will be the same as a system in the UK. The PDS (Product Disclosure Statement) issued by the health insurance companies states very clearly what is and isn't covered, and the financial limits of claims, so it seems as though the OP didn't read the PDS properly before taking out the insurance, but assumed that cover here would match what he was used to in the UK.

Wol

>>Please can someone clear up this situation with some real life examples, as the insurance companies just seem to baffle me with jargon!<<

The medical costs situation is a black hole of obfuscation. And it seems to change on a day by day basis, depending on how a provider feels when he gets out of bed.

The OP was lucky in getting most of the XRays and GP visits bulk billed - round here it's almost unknown.

We are probably a bit older than the OP and have had to use the quacks a little more but, in the 8 years we've been here our medical bills have been $71k, of which $12k has been refunded by Medicare and $13k by insurance. The total out of pocket has been about $46k. We have top cover (Hospitals) and those numbers don't include the insurance premiums.

Cheap it ain't.

jad n rich

we have a guy at work who cant even get this question answered by the health fund or tax office

Man living alone, but pays a family premium to cover his children who live with ex wife, he also pays child support for the kids.

So is he single because he lives alone?

Or is he a family because he supports a family and pays a family premium?

I asked my fund for him and they didnt know either.

koalakim

Welcome to Oz and its health system!

I tried to get the doc to explain it to me (she's a Brit) but still didn't understand it until I had to use it earlier in the year. I had to pay for scans but the one good thing was I got scanned and saw a consultant all very quickly. From there I could go public but I ended up paying private only because what was suspected was worrying, although all turned out very innocent in the end! I got partial payments for everything except the hospital bed.

It was really weird having to book a bed, book the doc, book the anesthetist etc. I have to say people kind of looked down their noses because I don't have private health insurance and then I got a special rate with the anesthetist so all you with private health are getting charged a higher rate!!

The thing that gets me here is the rebate system, must cost a lot to administer and then there is the costs of all the Medicare offices, staff, rents etc....maybe if you didn't have that we could have some more free health care.

And don't get me started on dentists!!!! Before the above I had shelled out over $500 on having a tooth removed and a filling. I'll be in Singapore in Aug so I think I might just book a check up with the lovely Dr Ang.

I don't understand why they can't have a private health insurance like in the UK where everything is covered, why be half hearted about it or would the premiums be ridiculous? All insurance seems expensive here but most people only seem to have it to avoid the levy but still seem to be shelling out loads to bridge the gap.

I wish I had understood the system before moving, it was mentioned in our emigrating book but gave the impression it was like the NHS. Just a bit worrying as you get older!

fish.01

It is similar to the NHS ?

koalakim

I meant NHS as in paying your taxes and then it's taken care of at source, not this half and half system unless you are lucky enough to find bulk-billing places. I tried a bulk-billing doctor and they were useless, maybe I was just unlucky but there aren't many around.

It just would have been nice if an emigration book which explained everything else well didn't say how the Medicare system worked and therefore you would have been better informed. For anyone coming out with existing health issues it could be quite pricey for them.

fish.01

Oh ok, I was confused because your post was all about the australian private system rather than public and then the NHS comparison at the end threw me

You should have come on here for info rather than an emigration book

It is pretty similar though in the main compared to many around the world.

- Free specialists at public hospital outpatient clinics
- Free hospital treatment at public hospitals
- Subsidised medicine (though dearer)

Main difference is GP's are private and can charge a gap and minimal public dentistry. The gap charge does have the benefit of reducing frivolous visits and low income earners/pensioners are almost always free even in clinics that charge working adults a gap. Often more bulk billing clinics in lower socio economic areas. Other main difference is private is often the default route and you need to usually ask to be referred to the public if a working adult. I get the impression in the UK they refer to public first unless you ask for private but not sure? Certainly seems easier to fall into private care in Australia if you don't know the system and therefore spend more.

I'm not sure why the private insurance doesn't cover everything...maybe as you say it is to keep the cost down or due to regulation. The insurance for temp visa holders does cover everything and it is a lot more expensive.

I do know that different to the UK and other countries the Australian govt has laws that make access to private insurance more equitable for all. Unlike elsewhere you cannot be denied cover because of pre-existing conditions and you can't be charged more. Maybe this limits coverage to hospital treatment through legislaton?

A general tip worth repeating: Our last four or so hospital trips using private health (2 babies etc) have cost virtually nothing in in-hospital doctor/room fees because we asked to be No Gap patients. Of course this doesn't help with the gap you pay to see the private specialist in their rooms leading up to your procedure.

Wol

>>A general tip worth repeating: Our last four or so hospital trips using private health (2 babies etc) have cost virtually nothing in in-hospital doctor/room fees because we asked to be No Gap patients. Of course this doesn't help with the gap you pay to see the private specialist in their rooms leading up to your procedure.<<

That's one of the things that makes it all so random.

James516

I'd still check the other funds. I get better benefits and cheaper premiums with my own health fund (HCF) compared to the corporate plan through work (Bupa).

James516

If your family income is more than $168K then you certainly don't need me and my taxes to refund some of your medical expenses.