Health Insurance

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by martnH

Your Mon waited 2 years ?

---

My Mum was listed as soon as the doctor decided that the operation was needed - about the same as a private patient.

Re your point on emergencies - rarely will patients go to a private hospital in an emergency - straight to to public hospital ER.

If you know how the public system works and the tricks it works fine with little waiting.

I get a particular procedure done every 5 years in the public system - normally within a week after referral to the hospital specialist.

There is nothing wrong with health insurance if it paid the entire costs but it rarely does and then you have the premiums.

If you are happy with your health insurance, that is great but for me it is a waste of money and many people are finding that as well.

Garry

The situation is likely to vary according to where you live - for me, there is only one feasible public hospital (and one private), so it is irrelevant what the average waiting time is - what matters is what it is for the local hospital. May be a different situation in the city where more than one public hospital is possible.

A family friend had a heart attack on the spirit of Tasmania many years ago they air lifted him back to Melbourne was asked if he had private health insurance he said no the doctor told him if he had he would most likely loose his house with the gap payment.

Good point - private health insurance includes ambulance cover. Even if you do not have hospital cover, it is worth getting ambulance cover - you would be astounded the charge for even a simple attendance by a road ambulance!

For insurance, we've found the the best cover for the money is with Defence Health.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Good point - private health insurance includes ambulance cover. Even if you do not have hospital cover, it is worth getting ambulance cover - you would be astounded the charge for even a simple attendance by a road ambulance!

---

Ambulance cover is cheap at about $50 a year.

But this does beg the question - if Police, Fire, SES and Royal Flying Doctor are all free - why do we have to pay for ambulance (about $1000 for a basic callout) - the logic escapes me.

Garry

You'd have to take that up with your local member!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Good point - private health insurance includes ambulance cover. Even if you do not have hospital cover, it is worth getting ambulance cover - you would be astounded the charge for even a simple attendance by a road ambulance!

---

4km trip from an over-zealous doctor's surgery to the local hospital - $600
Doctor couldn't handle the situation, made the call, and the bill bounces back to the patient (who realistically didn't need the trip to begin with). Small consolation was the next doctor's visit was gratis. Whoopee.

I have the highest cover with a major health fund and have had some visits to the emergency ward at the local private hospital. Each time there has been a hospital bill of $396 and a doctors bill of hundreds – no refund from the health fund. The nearest public hospital is 90 kms away so it's not practical to attend there.

The health fund reimbursement dollars for optical and dental costs is minuscule compared to the fees charged by dentists and opticians.

I also pay for annual ambulance cover direct to Ambulance Victoria at a cost of $47.15 per adult on top of my normal health fund fees. . I do this because the health funds have limits on coverage/refunds but with Ambulance Vic everything is covered. An extra $47.15 is a bargain price to totally eliminate any out of pocket ambulance costs.

It's odd reading this.
Because we live remote & on an Aboriginal Community absolutely all health care is free.
If you have a major problem either RFDS or QLD Health fly you to Mt Isa or Townsville, specialist visit regularly, Dentist has a fee if you don't have a Health Card but very small, optometrist comes 5 times a year.
SWMBO had a problem earlier this year, flown out on RFDS within an hour, now she is back she sees 2 different medicos a week is on quite a dose of drugs a day, all gratis.
So we don't have Private insurance, it just doesn't seem worth it.

A few years ago we were at our Ravenshoe place when 1 of the kids got suddenly very ill, ambulance to Atherton, 10 days for her & I in hospital (she was only 3 at the time) excellent care, a specialist from Cairns & all free.


As far as Ambulance goes in QLD I think (if you live in the "Real World") you pay a bit extra for your power & that covers Ambulance. I'm sure I will be corrected if that's wrong.

Jonesfam
PS I shudder to think what Private Health would cost with 8 kids?