Health insurance...aarrrggghhhhh

**feral** · 22nd March 2009, 09:47 PM

Another 8% increase

What is going on in the health industry?

This is another year of an increase that is more than the inflation rate. I am beginning to think about dropping out as I am not seeing the value of having it.

Just to compare....

$20,000 vehicle, insured say $350 per year.
$200,000 home, insured say $500 per year.
$100,000 contents, insured say $250 per year.

Look at health insurance......$200 per month

......$2400 per year and that is with the government rebate. It is also the middle or average plan, not top or any additional extras. And there is very little benefit to drop to a lower plan. It would only save you $10 per month, if your lucky.

Have I got it wrong by suggesting that after 10 years you have $24,000 in the bank to cover any medical expenses??

I have this strong feeling that this is becoming a rort.

**hoadie72** · 22nd March 2009, 09:50 PM

An economist told me in 1990 that you're better off putting the money you pay into health insurance into the bank...

**scarry** · 22nd March 2009, 09:53 PM

I know what your talking about....i hated paying it too.Then my oldest son was diagnosed with Leukemia,i am so lucky we have it.

**DeeJay** · 22nd March 2009, 09:55 PM

I think my brother would'nt see it that way.
I saw him in hospital today, he's been there a week after a simple fall that compressed his spine. He came out of the op he had on Thursday with no feeling from the waist down.The surgeons were disapointed but, today, he got some slight movement back. He will be off work till the end of the year and they expect him to be in a rehabilitation hospital for up to 6 months.
His very words to me were, well I'm getting 35 years HBA contributions back & probably then some.

**hoadie72** · 22nd March 2009, 10:05 PM

My mum didn't need health insurance for any of her cancer treatment which included a couple of operations and a couple of weeks in hospital.

**101RRS** · 22nd March 2009, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by DeeJay

I think my brother would'nt see it that way.
I saw him in hospital today, he's been there a week after a simple fall that compressed his spine. He came out of the op he had on Thursday with no feeling from the waist down.The surgeons were disapointed but, today, he got some slight movement back. He will be off work till the end of the year and they expect him to be in a rehabilitation hospital for up to 6 months.
His very words to me were, well I'm getting 35 years HBA contributions back & probably then some.

I feel sorry, but in this situation Medicare would probably have covered it - and there will be no co-payment.

I hope everything works out for your brother.

Garry

**Signal1** · 22nd March 2009, 10:15 PM

Health Insurance is like any insurance but yes, at a much higher rate.
Prior to my wife getting pregnant we increased our cover to top hospital (Obstetrics) and middle ancillary cover. When it was time for admission we were only covered for a shared room, a private room incurred a co payment. With cover costing $870 per quarter or $290 per month, a bit rich I think.

My biggest beef with private health is the lack of incentive to use it when it comes to hospital visits. Turn up at an ED and be treated for that broken big toe after dropping the TC on it and walk out free of charge or pay for specialists, pathology and any other white coat that finds out your on private health and comes to visit just to put their name down for consultation.

My mother luckily went through the piles of paperwork we got from the hospital and specialists after my father died of a stroke. She found six consulting doctors that she never saw or heard of and when questioned, their invoices were withdrawn.

To get people into private health and for them to use it, get rid of excess payments and ensure incentives exist to use it. Each time the fees go up they try to soften the blow by giving you more visits to some weird ass natural therapy that 1% of the population might use.

My preference of doctor isn't good enough...I don't know any doctors anyway.

**feral** · 22nd March 2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by DeeJay

I think my brother would'nt see it that way.
I saw him in hospital today, he's been there a week after a simple fall that compressed his spine. He came out of the op he had on Thursday with no feeling from the waist down.The surgeons were disapointed but, today, he got some slight movement back. He will be off work till the end of the year and they expect him to be in a rehabilitation hospital for up to 6 months.
His very words to me were, well I'm getting 35 years HBA contributions back & probably then some.

Very sorry to hear about your brother and I imagine this is the type of hospitalization that would be a worst case position.

But.....this type of injury or long term rehab does not happen to everyone.

As for HBA....it would be great to do a cost analysis and see if you are still out of pocket.

Hope your brother pulls through.

**Slunnie** · 22nd March 2009, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Signal1

My preference of doctor isn't good enough...I don't know any doctors anyway.

Thats because you probably dont need to know them - but when you want the best..... they wont be a bulk biller.

I have health insurance to protect myself from my mother. She knows whats what, whos who, can pulls strings and I know that I will have the best of whats needed. I like having that option, that protection and that care. Although you can put a monetary value on that, your health is invaluable.

Horses for courses I suppose.

**CraigE** · 22nd March 2009, 11:40 PM

It is getting out of hand. Average increase of 8% per year for the last 12 odd years.
It has turned into a complete rort and the government subsidy was wiped out in the first 3 years after it was introduced.
Anyone else remember the government of the day saying compulsory participation would enourage competition and reduce premiums. Wel it never hapened and premiums have skyrocketed at 2-4 times the inflation rate and some. And then you are expected to pay more.
Like everything else the government has screwed with (power, water etc).
More often than not you are better off in the public system and ofen doctors will recommend this.
The idea is good in principal but there is a small % of the poplation using most of the funds and ys when you need it it is valuable, but what about the 90% that never use it to a large extent,but are still paying?

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