Need New Insurance for Major Dental

pacman21 on 16/12/2019 - 18:39

Hey team,

So I've had insurance (hospital + extras) for ages now but after needing some dental surgery done today, I got quite a shock to find out my provider (Bupa) doesn't cover major dental for my policy. I know, I know, it's my fault for not checking.. I just assumed it would for the amount I pay.

So I've forked out a good $1000 and researched around to find that most, if not all, including Bupa, have 12 month waiting periods to cover major dental. Could anyone provide advice on an insurer or if they've been in a similar situation? I'm going to assume any insurer that offers waiving periods needs to see an equivalent cover with another provider? Worst part is I've had this insurance for so long and never even used it (except for general dental).

Cheers

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • brendanm on 16/12/2019 - 18:43
    +6

    Might want to make sure how much is actually covered as well. When I checked it was still cheaper to simply pay out of pocket than pay the policy and the gap.

    • stumo on 16/12/2019 - 19:47
      +2

      Agreed. The amounts they cover are minute compared to how much you will still be out of pocket for. And god help you if you need 2 or more claims in a year lol.

    • pacman21 on 16/12/2019 - 20:12

      Thanks - it's a great point. Most I've checked only do around 600.

  • chumlee on 16/12/2019 - 19:49
    +3

    Welcome to Australia, where a Liberal government will penalise you with extra tax if you don't take out junk health insurance.

    Good to see who actually runs this country.

    • theHMASfriendship on 16/12/2019 - 21:22

      Is it the coast guard?

      • chumlee on 16/12/2019 - 21:26

        May as well be. Couldn't do any worse

  • mskeggs on 16/12/2019 - 19:55
    +3

    Hate to join the chorus, but there is no insurance product that offers decent limits for major dental, or at least there wasn't when I last researched it.
    If I had to get implants or similar costly procedures, I would head for Thailand.

    • holdenmg on 16/12/2019 - 20:43
      -2

      I want to go to Thailand but my teeth are just fine…

      Can I justify going for a Check-up and some Fluoride?

      nah, probly not.

    • subywagon on 16/12/2019 - 20:52

      This is my line of thought too. If I ever need any major dental work I'm heading to Thailand.

      • amsaini15 on 16/12/2019 - 21:01
        +1

        Do you guys know any reputed Dental doctor or clinic in Thailand?

        • subywagon on 16/12/2019 - 21:07

          Sorry, I can't recall as looked into it ages ago a little due to curiosity as I don't require any major dental work at the moment. I did find a few threads about reputable dentists in Thailand. I think I found the threads on Whirlpool forums maybe.

          • amsaini15 on 16/12/2019 - 21:12

            @subywagon: no worries. I don't need now either but it would be good to note down.

        • ms_caz on 17/12/2019 - 06:37

          Yes - my husband has had root canal work and implants at Thantakit Dental in Bangkok. Highly recommended, although not as cheap for the last lot of work we had done in comparison to the first root canal procedures he had maybe 10 years ago there. Still, much more affordable than having work done here. Thantakit Dental

  • Seraphin7 on 16/12/2019 - 19:55
    -1

    So you've already had the work done? No insurer is going to provide you with cover after the fact.

    • pacman21 on 16/12/2019 - 20:11

      Sorry I should have mentioned I need to go back for some additional major dental.

  • Smiley82 on 16/12/2019 - 21:59

    While insurers regularly waive the 2 and 6 month waiting periods, from my research major dental always requires a 12 month waiting period and cannot be waived.

    I ended up paying to get the root canal done and then waited out the 12 months before I got the crown. My limit is $1000 a year and I’m with Medibank.

  • MITM on 17/12/2019 - 01:22

    Quoted $3k for veneers which takes 2 visits.
    Visit 1 in late December ($1k claimed from BUPA), Visit 2 early January (another year, another $1k claimed) Out of pocket $1k.

    • pacman21 on 17/12/2019 - 07:42

      Which cover do you have?

  • Fizzgig on 17/12/2019 - 16:46

    Have you had a look at Doctors Health Fund?

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