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Thread: Private Health Insurance.

  1. #21
    Join Date
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    We have it, and have had for years.

    Picked up 2 pairs of glasses for the youngest this morning, cost no extra. All 4 of us can get 2 new pairs each year.

    I use the chiro & physio on a regular basis due to my back, and the others do so as needed.

    On top of that, podiatrist & dental visits....


    SWMBO works for an OB/GYN. Most people dont realise that a specalist receives the same Medicare rebate for a consult as a GP. That is for a standard consult. A GP also has the ability to claim for an extended consult, but a specalist does not.

    Now, considering most specalists spend up to 15 years in training, (7 for GP, then about the same in their chosen field), they are not looked after by Medicare all that well.

    When new patients enquire about the fees, she tells them the Dr's charges in total. They can then get the Medicare rebate, and she gives them the codes to check with their private health fund to see how much they will pay.

    Often, it means the patient is around $2k out of pocket for a birth. Sounds a lot, but for that, you get 15 years training, plus all your checks, plus a doctor that will get out of his bed at 3am to come & deliver your baby.

    Now, this doc also teaches & consults at a public hospital, so he is not all that busy counting his money...

    Yes, Private Health Insurance is expensive. And in recent times I have experienced both the public & private system. I can tell you there is one private hospital that I would never attend again, despite them having an Emergency Room, which costs $350 to get in the door. The care was substandard, and they seemed to be counting the cost of everything they provided. Including the medications. In direct contrast, both SWMBO & myself have had stays in the local public hospital. The care was outstanding, and nothing seemed to be any trouble.

    And, considering the price of the drugs she needed, they were in NO hurry to get rid of her. ($450 per does, 4 times daily for 7 days... )

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Basil135 View Post

    Yes, Private Health Insurance is expensive. And in recent times I have experienced both the public & private system. I can tell you there is one private hospital that I would never attend again, despite them having an Emergency Room, which costs $350 to get in the door. The care was substandard, and they seemed to be counting the cost of everything they provided. Including the medications. In direct contrast, both SWMBO & myself have had stays in the local public hospital. The care was outstanding, and nothing seemed to be any trouble.

    And, considering the price of the drugs she needed, they were in NO hurry to get rid of her. ($450 per does, 4 times daily for 7 days... )
    I found the exact opposite,went to the local public hospital with a heart condition about 5 yrs ago,they had absolutely no idea what they were doing.The most incompedent lot of medical staff i have ever come across.
    Gave me the wrong medication.bla,bla.I had a very common condition,but they had no idea what was wrong,not a clue,they were completely stumped

    In hindsight should never have gone there,but at 4am in the morning,with a heart issue,you would normally go to the nearest medical centre that was open.
    Eventually at my request 7hrs later i ended up at a private hospital,and they knew immediately what the issue was and got it sorted quickly.
    I have since been back to that private hospital,as has SWMBO for a major op,and i can't speak highly enough of their professionalism,helpful staff,etc,etc.
    Everytime we have been there,all paid by medical insurance.

    Maybe we were unlucky at the public hospital,who knows,but no one in our family will ever go back there.

  3. #23
    Andrew Morris Guest
    Like all insurance, it's to cover you for the items you can't afford! Whatever you may think of doctors fees, if you need 'em then it's good to know the health insurance can pay.

  4. #24
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    Well I'm about to find out how the public system goes with specialist care. No health insurance and I have had a sudden onset of peripheral neuropathy. I'm not allowed to drive at the moment to just to make things worse.


  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by George130 View Post
    Well I'm about to find out how the public system goes with specialist care. No health insurance and I have had a sudden onset of peripheral neuropathy. I'm not allowed to drive at the moment to just to make things worse.

    Good luck mate, can I say this, I had bowel cancer back in 2004 and the public health system and the hospital that I was operated in were excellent. The specialist got me in for operation within a month of me being diagnosed. I think a lot depends on if the problem is life threatening or not. I went through chemo and radio therapy and it didn't cost me a cent. Saved my life and I'm very happy with the specialist.

    Good luck, again. Cheers.

  6. #26
    numpty's Avatar
    numpty is offline TopicToaster Silver Subscriber
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ausfree View Post
    Is Private Health Insurance getting too expensive for the average worker???
    I have no idea, as I opted out of private insurance nearly 20 years ago
    Numpty

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    REMLR No 143

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