Another Health Insurance thread...Physio

CryssieJade on 04/11/2014 - 20:26

Hi all,

First of all, I need to make it clear to everyone that apart from talking to two friends who have PHI and reading a couple of forum posts here, I'm quite clueless about the whole thing. Never had it, never thought I needed it. Talking PHI to me is like speaking to me in Swahili…I do not understand. But I am starting to get the jist of a few bits and pieces.

I don't have Private Health Insurance, but now I'm in a situation where, for the first time in my 30 years on the planet, I need fairly extensive Physio after an injury.

Wondering if there is any way to sign up to 'extras' cover that will cover a couple of thousand dollars worth of Physio?

If there's not, I'll just save up and foot the bill, but wanted to check first if anyone's had a similar need/experience, or any suggestions.

Cheers in advance :)

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • cisco on 04/11/2014 - 20:48
    +1

    Public hospital physio sessions are quite good. Maybe an option.
    I'm with a different health insurance but in your case just wanting physio, ahm maybe worth checking http://www.ahm.com.au

    • CryssieJade on 04/11/2014 - 21:43

      I didn't even know this was an option!! Great to know for next time, but I'm not sure it would work for me since I need a dedicated sports Physio, and have already had a session with one who is worth his weight in gold.

      I don't know how public hospital Physio works, but I definitely need the same physiotherapist until I've healed. I can't take a risk with changing Physio's all the time.

    • CryssieJade on 04/11/2014 - 21:50
      +1

      I followed your link…cheers!!

      But I think that by the time I pay that amount per week/month, and can only claim $300 on Physio, it's not worth it.

      I'm getting better at understanding why I never bothered with it in the first place :p

  • djones145 on 05/11/2014 - 05:59

    Also most phi have waiting times before u can claim. Some have specials which wave the waiting periods

  • derpdeder on 05/11/2014 - 08:56
    +1

    Most PHI have limits you can claim on physio, the majority around $500 per year, and a limit of around $40 per visit. That is, if your visit is $60, then you will have to pay $20 out of your own pocket. If you need $2k+ worth of physio you will be paying most of your costs out of your own pocket anyway. There would be no extras plan around that would deliver a benefit for you if you used it for physio only. Using the dental part and maybe the optical would make it cost neutral for you.

    • CryssieJade on 05/11/2014 - 09:08

      That's what I figured. I'm on a health care card, so my dental is pretty much covered anyway (I don't have any major issues, and if I did, all my dental work is capped at $104, no matter how much work I get done). No need for optical. I pay $93 a session for Physio, but I'll just save hard and pay it!!

      • Islund on 05/11/2014 - 09:27

        Or - you could go to one of those Chinese Massage Clinics to be found in most malls. Some of them are surprisingly effective and cheap as well.

        No offence to any chiros/physios on OzBargaib but they simply do not work for me and I have had back problems for the past 20 years.

        • CryssieJade on 05/11/2014 - 14:04

          It's not as simple as that for a sports injury. It's massage at this stage, yes - but very targeted massage (after analysis of MRI results) because I have swelling and bruising on my bones. After that, it's specific muscle strengthening from small steps to my end goal. I really don't think Chinese massage clinics are going to be able to provide what I need.

  • lenlynn on 09/11/2014 - 09:41

    How about HBF Easy 8? Something like $8 per week, get back 80%, annual limit $800. Something like that. I was looking at that policy earlier this year. If you have not decided on a clinic but can get a GP referral, call around and find a no gap clinic. If you are in perth, I can rec you some good physios. Also, some PHI companies have preferred providers so these preferred providers either give a no gap, or cap the fees charged, or give one free consult a year.

    • CryssieJade on 09/11/2014 - 23:35

      Thanks, but I'm in Melbourne. That's not a bad sounding extras cover, but I've kind of worked it out that I'll be cutting even, whether I pay it or not

  • srhardy on 09/11/2014 - 10:57

    Easy 8 $35.32 p/m gives $800 (combined) @80% (members first dental)… so you pay $423.80 a year, use $800 and pay $160 so $583.80 per year and you get $960 of services

    Here is my break down for many extras

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ark1XCw3-hTcdHl…

    I didnt find easy8 good enough value to add but that might change…

    Many of the plans have combined physio (with chiro) and i only show chiro as thats what i use; physio is too much like massage IMO and not worth the high costs they charge

    • CryssieJade on 09/11/2014 - 23:38

      Physio would feel like massage to someone who is only going to one for the sake of using their extras cover, and not for a specific reason.

      When you go to a Physio for strengthening work after an injury, it feels like punishment. Punishment that I have to pay for!!

  • srhardy on 10/11/2014 - 09:20

    easy8 is a bad extras offer, with set benefits for stuff (dental is %) so beware the fine print on offers!

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