Do kids benefit from private health insurance?

witsa on 11/07/2018 - 10:59

So I'm paying $230 per month with NIB for health insurance.

The health insurance covers me, my wife and our two kids (3 and 1) comes with dental and optical.

I've noticed that basically, my wife uses the extras - I don't.

So I'm thinking about moving off of it so that my wife has the one with extras and I get just the one to make sure I don't pay extra tax.

However, I believe two individuals mean that kids don't get cover. Just wondering, do they need cover?

It seems most medical services for kids are free. Do I actually need it for the kids?

Financial

Comments

  • nivag01 on 11/07/2018 - 11:35

    my 2 year old just had grommets put in at a private hospital, i'm believe the surgery could have been down at a public hospital if necessary.

    It also depend on whether you want them to see a private dentist or go through the public system.

  • onevstheworld on 11/07/2018 - 11:36
    +4

    As with any insurance; It's never needed until it is needed. (Not a very useful, I know, but we can't predict the future).

    It is true that medical issues that affect kids are usually well covered by the public system, so it can make financial sense. Urgent things like broken bones, cancer, etc are dealt with quickly. However, there are elective procedures that do have fairly long waiting lists in the public hospital… e.g. tonsils, grommets, sleep studies. There are also things like dental that are so poorly funded in the public system that it's not a realistic option.

    Looking at it from a non-financial perspective:
    If I get sick, I get my choice of doctor, single room, etc. If my child gets sick, he doesn't get any of those benefits. As a parent, I personally can't live that type of guilt, so I keep my family cover. Disclaimer: I may be biased since my child did need major surgery.

  • pformag on 11/07/2018 - 12:03

    yes. If you want to go to a specific specialist, then it is worth every cent.

    We have private health, but we thought we would try the public system for my sons breathing issues. never again.

    waited over 3 months for an appointment only for them to tell me that it is something he needs to grow out of.

    Went privately, saw a consultant with a month, did multiples test and work out what the issue was.

    • onevstheworld on 11/07/2018 - 12:10

      Good point there.

      For long term issues, continuity of care can be a problem in the public. The trainees rotate every 3-12 months, so you may not see the same person over the course of treatment.

  • Peter Enis on 11/07/2018 - 12:40
    +1

    I've noticed that basically, my wife uses the extras - I don't.

    Why don't you take advantage of the free dental clean & checkups offered by most Extras plans? Don't you go to the dentist?

    • onevstheworld on 11/07/2018 - 12:51
      +1

      You're making assumptions there… not everyone has teeth :P

      • SlappersOnly on 11/07/2018 - 17:27
        +2

        And yet again. I request ozbargains to impliment a laughing emoji in their voting system

  • DarkOz on 11/07/2018 - 13:48

    Get the kids covered. In 2 years time your elder one will need to visit the dentist. They might even need to visit an optometrist if they have eye sight issues.

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