Laser Eye Surgery - Private Health Insurance Cover

Lraquethead111 on 10/01/2020 - 11:51

I am in the process of thinking about whether or not I should get laser eye surgery in Sydnye as I have seen (no pun intended!) many good things on forums about it. However, it is still a bit expensive as an out of pocket expense. I've had a google of the different private health insurance covers that include laser eye surgery as part of extras (Medibank, AHM, BUPA, Defence Health), but all of them have 2+ years waiting periods (apart from Defence Health, which I am not eligible for). At my stage of life, I was hoping to be able to do it soon or at maximum, around the 1 year mark.

Does anyone have experience with waiving waiting periods or have knowledge of any other private health insurers that cover laser eye surgery (with shorter waiting periods)?

Thanks!

Health & Beauty Health Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • gaz3342 on 10/01/2020 - 11:54
    +4

    Hey,

    I claimed laser eye surgery rebate with AHM ($1200) and it was very straightforward, I had been a member for 2+ years though.

    It is highly unlikely any company will allow you to skip waiting periods as people would just join, take the huge rebate, then leave (especially us OzBargainers).

    • raquethead111 on 10/01/2020 - 11:56

      Hi gaz, thanks for letting me know. I was looking at AHM as my first option. Did you do LASIK/PRK? I'm tossing up between the two.

    • JimmyF on 10/01/2020 - 12:13
      +2

      It is highly unlikely any company will allow you to skip waiting periods as people would just join, take the huge rebate, then leave

      Winner winner. This is why they all have waiting periods and RARELY allow waiving of waiting periods.

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 10/01/2020 - 12:42
        +1

        RARELY allow waiving of waiting periods.

        Not entirely true - 2 & 6 month waiting periods are routinely waived. However, anything with a 12 month (or more) waiting period is never waived.

        • JimmyF on 10/01/2020 - 13:28
          +1

          However, anything with a 12 month (or more) waiting period is never waived.

          Which is what we're talking about. The waiting period for the OP is 2 years, as it's a costly surgery. These longer periods are rarely waived for one off member transfers.

    • BigBrickBoy on 10/01/2020 - 13:26

      I always kind of wonder if they should allow you to buy 2-3 years worth of private cover at once to get past the waiting period…

      • raquethead111 on 10/01/2020 - 14:20

        I checked with AHM and apparently this is illegal as it is considered an unfair trade practice.

        • BigBrickBoy on 10/01/2020 - 18:21

          I guess it would be a slippery slope, if it were enabled.

    • yjun355 on 15/03/2020 - 01:30

      This is on hospital or extras cover?

      • gaz3342 on 15/03/2020 - 15:00

        Extras

  • gaz3342 on 10/01/2020 - 12:02
    +1

    I did PRK as I lead an active lifestyle and didn't want the ongoing risk of 'the flap'.

    Longer recovery time (you'll actually be blind for a couple days, then won't have proper vision for about two weeks) but as long as you follow the aftercare perfectly (eye drops etc) you'll be fine.

  • spersephone on 10/01/2020 - 12:12
    +1

    I paid outright for it because I worked out that it would take much longer and cost more in premiums if I upgraded my health insurance to cover it.

  • spersephone on 10/01/2020 - 12:15
    +2

    By the way, I was more or less blind the first day (painful eyes and fuzziness). After that I could see, just not really clearly for a few days. I had it three years ago, and apart from very slight fuzziness when I’m tired, it’s been brilliant.

    • raquethead111 on 10/01/2020 - 12:50

      Did you do LASIK or PRK? Also, how painful was it? Some stories sound super scary!

      • John Kimble on 10/01/2020 - 13:00
        +1

        It's not painful during the surgery as you are given local anaesthetic. It did smell like burning hair though.

        When it wears off it is just like having sand in your eye constantly for a day or two. Eyes were constantly weeping tears. At least that was my experience.

  • liuzhen on 10/01/2020 - 13:05

    I did it through BUPA on July 4th this year. Claiming was very easy - just filled out a form when at the clinic - everything else just happened in the background.

    When I joined up, the wait was only 12 months though which kept costs down.

    I had SMILE eye surgery and have been thrilled with the outcome.

    • yjun355 on 15/03/2020 - 01:31

      This is in Bupa hospital cover? How much did you pay out of pocket and how much did they cover?

  • wiipantz on 10/01/2020 - 13:11
    +1

    My partner got hers done in Melbourne all out of pocket and the older style PRK I think it can be known as(could be wrong, it was the permanent one without the insert)? In any case whilst researching for it, there was a clinic in Syd. that was about half the cost and we considered going there for it but opted not too in the end. Basically the out of pocket cost plus the 2 year waiting period or there about might net you a small saving in the end but she had such a positive result she wishes she got it done earlier and she would have happily paid double for the end result. That's just our case, what I'm getting at; is your priority the result from surgery or saving money?

    • starbearer on 10/01/2020 - 14:02

      which clinic, if you don't mind me asking?

      • wiipantz on 10/01/2020 - 14:05
        +1

        Medownick is where she got hers done. Or do you mean the clinic in Syd? I can't remember that one

        • starbearer on 10/01/2020 - 14:06

          nah, meant the Melbourne one. Thanks!

          • raquethead111 on 10/01/2020 - 14:22
            +1

            @starbearer: for sydneysiders, I'm sure the sydney one is the Sydney Eye Clinic with Dr Sebban. Seen that name everywhere!

            • SnowDragon on 10/01/2020 - 15:08
              +1

              @raquethead111: That's where I got mine done. Experience is here

              At the time I was looking you needed to be with the highest BUPA cover for 1 years. Each eye was only $1299 with Dr Sebban so by the time I had paid for the insurance, it would have equalled the same thing.

          • spersephone on 10/01/2020 - 14:42
            +1

            @starbearer: I went to Vision Eye Institute on St Kilda Rd.

      • gaz3342 on 10/01/2020 - 16:33

        I got mine done at Medownick too, can recommend.

        They like to book you in late on a Friday night so you can just go to sleep after and have the weekend to recover.

        The surgeon is pretty eccentric, he goes to the theatre and has dinner with his wife then comes in and does laser eye surgery, hopefully he doesn't go too hard on the wine!

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