We find it's the extras we usually claim on - glasses...hearing aids...teeth but even then it never reaches what the extras cost.
However this year I've had my first 'body repair' - bilateral iguanal hernias due to trying to keep up with 18 year olds - anyway despite being in full extras and 90% hospital cover (max $500 p.a.), one visit to a surgeon, one night in a private hospital for the operation with the surgeon, anasthetist etc has cost $500 for the hospital, $800 for the anaethetist and $320 for the surgeon after all refunds.

So that's $1600 out of pocket after Medicare and health benefits for a 20 minute operation in a private hospital with a doctor (surgeon) of my choice.

We pay about $3600 p.a. after rebate for our med insur. plus whatever it increases by this year.

It's easy to see why they can afford glitzy advertisments!

But, like many we've been in it for almost 50 years...and in today's dollars we've outlayed about $180,000 over that period. ($3600 X 50 = $180,000)

Good Luck.

We changed over to Westfund 12 mths ago at the advice of a medical insurer broker. Ours went up by just over 7%.

All insurance is dear until the day you need it!
Last year I decided that we were paying too much for our private cover and after a visit to our provider we reduced our payments by about 40%, still keeping private hospital, Dr of choice etc. Did away with hip and knee replacements and other add ons.
A month later my wife was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. She lost her battle two months later, passing away in comfort and pain free. Because of our private cover she had the best treatment available, was treated by two professors rather than dr's. Total private hospital and medical costs $28,000.00 all paid by our provider.

We have dropped extra and just have top hospital Over the last 3 years extra cost $4500 and we had claimed $335 . Hako make a good point even with top hospital you are still out of pocket if you use it . It is a choice you only can make in an emergency you are always taking to a public hospital .

we looked at how much we had paid over the years for private cover and how much it was going up each year and decided to only keep ambulance cover which costs us about $85 a year. We will rely on the public system which works well in emergencies - but not so great for elective surgery in terms of waiting times in the major cities.

Speaking with many other nomads, they are getting their elective surgery done in large, rural hospitals who have the surgeons to do hip and knee replacements and usually only have to wait a few weeks - and come out walking just fine (after the physio and a bit of time). The large rural hospitals in most States do have good specialists or they visit from the large city hospitals on a weekly basis for clinics and surgery

Hi all

I guess we are very lucky

I have a Gold Card and our youngest daughter is a research doctor (scientist) in a major hospital. This means I get private treatment anytime for any condition and my wife gets our daughter agitating her medical doctor friends for a better deal. We just cant afford medical benefits and wont be part of the rip off these funds charge on principal. I know some will object to the preferential treatment, however our girl wants to look after us and makes sure we are well looked after, so I will apologise to those who get grumpy at this post.

BTW its very true that the major hospitals in the country have very small waiting lists and have a slightly different view of what constitutes and emergency, even in the city if you can get your GP to agree your condition is causing severe mental trauma, you get priority treatment.

Cheers

Phil - lucky you - Im envious and would do exactly the same as you if we were so lucky!

Well..... after discussions with BUPA, and finding out that so far this year ( 3 months ) our extra have already hit $1300, with more to come.
Also with other insurers we would/ may/ could have to wait a 12 month waiting period especially for existing conditions.
We agree to pay BUPA our dues 12 months in advanced and save $527. As they allowed us to pay the old price because we elected to pay in advance.
Now the amount concerned will only earn us around 3% to 3.5%, in term deposit, which equates to around approx $150??. Therefore a huge saving you will agree.
Yes we had to take a big hit upfront, but worth it for the savings.
And happy to still be with BUPA.
Jay&Dee

Phil. After too many years and still not enough pressure through recent TV articles and programmes like Four Corners, the Aust people are slowly becoming aware how badly our mentally and physically injured defence staff are being treated by successive Federal govts through Veterans Affairs. And Im not a Vet.

We seem to treat all those that ensure we have a safe and secure life badly - our police, ambulance and firies are the same. We have the police and ambos trying to commit suicide and fire staff suffering from all sorts of nasty and usually terminal cancers due to exposure to toxic smoke, water and chemicals.


I was a cop for 15 years and left because I thought I'd had enough and went into senior management positions in large companies. It took me almost another 12 years to realize I was mentally damaged and sought help for it. But I had to pay for the lot- nothing from the State govt who has employed me. Luckily the civilian company I worked for paid for the many $1000's it cost and gave me paid extended sick leave (and kept my job open for me when I was able to return) and Im now 100% between the ears (although the BOSS would disagree lol), but many others who are or were in uniform don't have that luxury

Whilst I am not a Veteran, I was wondering if this condition we are talking about would come under the umbrella of the:-

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

I for one don not have a clue as to what it all entails, BUT!!!!! Here is hoping.
Jay&Dee