Thread: Why you need health insurance

That's a good reason not to have health insurance in my book.
If you go in as a public patient you pay nothing. No gap. Nothing to pay.

Only problem is you might peg it before you get a chance to go in as the waiting lists are so long.

Not being on a waiting list is, for me, a good reason to have insurance. Who knows how far the malignant bad stuff in my bowel would have progressed had I had to wait.

Ditto with having my shoulder operation (torn tendon) a year ago or an artificial lens put into my eye the year before. I like being able to see and to be able to lift my arm again.

But it is flamin' expensive to have insurance.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Not being on a waiting list is, for me, a good reason to have insurance. Who knows how far the malignant bad stuff in my bowel would have progressed had I had to wait.

Ditto with having my shoulder operation (torn tendon) a year ago or an artificial lens put into my eye the year before. I like being able to see and to be able to lift my arm again.

But it is flamin' expensive to have insurance.

Mate, you sound like you are going thru a bad trot, hope all is well now, all the best , Bob

I'm getting along alright now thanks Bob.

The public health system does do some stuff quickly, e.g., the retinal detachments I had a couple of years back - but not my cataracts even though a patient being able to see must be better for the health system.

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

I have to second LSD Automotive's comments

Ambulance cover is an absolute must.

Ron, sounds like you have done all the voodoo, black cat, under a ladder etc etc stuff - a bit like your ability to buy faulty goods.

I hope next birthday you can say: What a rippa of a year.

I was laying in bed last night and realised I'd written the wrong daily bed charge. It was over $2500 per day, not $1250.

Elisabeth would trade me in for something useful if she could.

Originally Posted by Barra1

Ron, sounds like you have done all the voodoo, black cat, under a ladder etc etc stuff - a bit like your ability to buy faulty goods.

I hope next birthday you can say: What a rippa of a year.

So do I, so do I. Maybe I will. I'm halfway through my first year of retirement.