Why you need health insurance

I understand from where Numpty is viewing it. It's called self-insurance and it can be cost effective.

For me, my medical expenses over the past few years have been well above what I've paid in total premiums for a number of years. (Thank you Defence Health) :

Rotator cuff surgery
Three detached retinas
Artificial lens in one eye
Bowel surgery due malignancy
Teeth veneers/fillings, etc.
Spectacles
Contact Lenses

and lots of other stuff. (I wonder if they'll pay for a vasectomy? :p )

and that doesn't include my wife's work...

The last I heard was that the 1.5% medicare levy covered less than 25% of the cost of running the public health system the rest come from the states and general fed revenue. In an emergency situation every body gets treated the same you dont usally get to tell them you have private insurance untill a couple of days latter:(

That is true. But if, essentially you didnt pay the 1.5% and didnt have a Medicare card or were not eligible... you would be responsibile for 100% of the M/C amount which adds up mighty quick.

If you are non-resident / from a non-reciprocal country and you are taken to emergency... you will of course receive the same service. Someone will ask you how you are gonna pay though!

S

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by THE BOOGER

In an emergency situation every body gets treated the same

---

True. The problem is with what is considered elective surgery or, for some, non-urgent (in the eyes of the health system) surgery.

I believe (I may be wrong) that cataract surgery is elective so one can be on a long waiting list to get one's vision restored. To me that is wrong. A sighted person is less of a drain on the system than one who can't see.

NSW is particularly bad for waiting times.

See Spin doctors cut surgery waiting lists | The Daily Telegraph

Quote:

---

Elective surgery patients are divided into three categories. Category 1 includes those deemed to be the most critical, with a surgery waiting time set for 30 days, while category 2 have 90 days and category 3 have a 365-day time frame.

---

When I had the shoulder surgery, the surgeon told me I'd have the most success if it was done within 3 months of the injury. Had I waited for the public health system, I'd still be waiting - more than 12 months later.

Yeh the only op I have had wait for was cateract surgery 12 months wait to go on the waiting list then I think 8 months on the list:mad:

My doc sent me to the Opthalmoligist? at liverpool hospital eye clinic both said i needed both eyes done they made another appt with the same doc at liverpool for 6 months I was given the impression that I was on the list, the appt ws put back by the clinic when I got there 12 months had passed I asked how long untill I went in they told me that the second appt would get me on the list and up to 12 monthe wait:eek:Becuase i only waited 8 months it makes the books look good but they dont count the wait to get on the list:confused:then only did one eye and told me to start again from the begining for the other eye :wallbash: The system has problems but its one of the better ones in the world so what do you do:)

Crikey!

At least I only need one eye to be done when it needs to be done (it's not too bad at the moment). The other eye was fixed with the artificial lens (although I was without a lens in that eye for over 6 months)! :D

They took the cateract off and put the plastic lens in at the same time now I am only blind in one eye:p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by p38arover

Being over 30, aren't you required to have insurance or to pay a tax (levy) instead?

My dental work in the past couple of years has hit the health fund pretty hard, too.

---

Yes Ron, I'm over 30 (closer to 60 actually):) and I pay the levy. As said, my rotator cuff was done on compo. I visit the doc once a year for a checkup etc and have 3 yearly medicals (mandatory) paid for through work. Dental bills I cover myself along with anything that I "might" require to have done.

I had medical insurance when the kids were young, but discontinued it when it was felt it was no longer necessary.

Things may change in the future, who knows. At this time it's a risk I choose and am prepared to take.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LSD_AUTOMOTIVE

I'll add to this - if nothing else, make sure you have basic ambulance cover.

I was stung by a wasp just before Christmas. I reacted, vomitting, difficulty breathing, tightness in my chest etc. Because it came on so quickly and we have a 6 mth old to negotiate we called an ambulance. The paramedics checked me and offered to take me in. I felt I had a handle on it, refused to go to the hospital, signed a release, on I went.

Three days later a bill arrived in my mail.
$779

HBF paid it in full...ambulance membership is something like $35 a year.

Sounds like a rough time, Ron! I hope you're on the mend now?

Sarah

---

In queensland it is charged to everyone on our power bills so no cost to any Queenslander if you need the ambulance. Of course it means those who pay a power bill subsidise those who are on solar or generators and who do not have power connected. Not sure if it covers incidents in other states ie if I am in NSW and need an ambulance whether it covers me?