Help Me Make The Most of My Health Plan (Bupa Corporate Silver Plus Mid Hospital 70)

arkhos on 26/08/2024 - 10:06
Last edited 26/08/2024 - 14:18 by 1 other user

Hi all, I recently moved back to Australia and decided to join a health plan (Bupa Corporate Silver Plus Mid Hospital 70).

Before that, I only had Medicare, which I made occasional use of for a couple of muscle-related issue with great satisfaction for the quality of the public service. Beside knowing that health insurance is one of the most sophisticated and discriminatory retail markets of the country, I am a pretty naive customer. I understand my policy attracts a $1000 bonus with $250 excess fee, which I exhausted at 70% with a couple of dental services. My plan is to kill the $1000 endowment with a few physio sessions. I will then see what ailments I will feel like whining about on policy renewal at the start of the new year and act accordingly. I also understand my policy offers a separate $250 endowment for optical, which I plan to use for a pair of sunglasses.

Other than that, I have no idea of the working of the principal component of the policy (i.e. hospital cover). Let's suppose I feel pain in my forearm due to repeated gym misuse. Can I simply show up in a private hospital and book an appointment for further diagnosis or is hospital cover meant to be only for emergencies / referrals from specialists / surgeries, etc?

Thanks and apologies for the naivety of the naive customer :)

Financial Health Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • donga100 on 26/08/2024 - 10:37
    +5

    Just cancel the policy and save yourself some money.

  • cashless on 26/08/2024 - 10:38
    +3

    Read the PDS and it will answer all your questions

    • Ocker on 26/08/2024 - 10:45
      +1

      yeh, nah - it's easier to get other OZB members do the leg work for you

  • Dollar General on 26/08/2024 - 10:44

    It’s all junk insurance unfortunately

    • Drakesy on 26/08/2024 - 11:36

      Actuaries and Lobbyists always win.

  • freefall101 on 26/08/2024 - 10:44
    +6

    Let's suppose I feel pain in my forearm due to repeated gym misuse. Can I simply show up in a private hospital and book an appointment for further diagnosis or is hospital cover meant to be only for emergencies / referrals from specialists / surgeries, etc?

    You go to your GP and get a referral. If it's an acute injury, medicare will cover a lot of stuff as well - when I had a knee injury my MRI was covered, the only restriction was I had less options in terms of ones that bulked billed (they still exist though).

    It's also a bit of a dick move to try milk hospital cover just so you get perceived value for money. People need those services for their actual health.

    I also understand my policy offers a separate $250 endowment for optical, which I plan to use for a pair of sunglasses.

    Do you actually need glasses? I don't believe they'll sell you non-prescription eyewear.

  • ramb9 on 26/08/2024 - 10:45
    +3

    Physio, Chiro and Remedial massages for your forearm ;)

  • ihbh on 26/08/2024 - 10:45
    +2

    My plan is to kill the $1000 endowment with a few physio sessions

    What a waste! A solution looking for a problem.

    How much are your premiums?

    Hospital cover to save medicare surcharge or if you need maternity cover (note waiting periods). Also bear in mind life time health cover. Extras if you can at least break-even.

    Some of the best value covers are discontinued to new members.

  • adri on 26/08/2024 - 11:04
    +3

    Other than that, I have no idea of the working of the principal component of the policy (i.e. hospital cover). Let's suppose I feel pain in my forearm due to repeated gym misuse. Can I simply show up in a private hospital and book an appointment for further diagnosis or is hospital cover meant to be only for emergencies / referrals from specialists / surgeries, etc?

    Hospitals provide inpatient service and outpatient services.

    Hospital cover only covers inpatient services i.e. you are admitted for something. This could be a day procedure like a colonoscopy, or it could be multi-day admissions for a severe illness. Some hospitals provide psychology/therapy as an "admission" - you can come back and forth to the hospital and they "admit" you for the day. Private emergency departments do not count as an admission.

    Private hospital outpatient services are where the specialist has a consult room hired, and you just go there for an appointment. Hospital cover will not cover this. You will pay, and then get a rebate from Medicare. This is essentially the same as if a specialist has a clinic somewhere else. You pay and get a rebate.

    I always kept a low level cover just to not pay the Medicare-levy surcharge. However, I have upgraded my cover now. Reason being, one, I am older now, and two, I have seen people with cancer get delays for surgery due to how busy the public hospitals are.

    • arkhos on 27/08/2024 - 01:05

      very clear, thanks!

  • Chris Topher on 26/08/2024 - 15:29

    Help Me Make The Most of My Health Plan

    Get sick. Damn sick. Real damn sick. :-)

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