Recommendations for First Time Health Insurance at 33

• 

  jv on 15/11/2024 - 18:01

  -2

  I will be using it mainly for :
  Optometry
  Podiatry
  Chiropractic
  Physio
  Dental
  Psychology

  Wow… You don't sound healthy…

  • 

    MS Paint on 15/11/2024 - 18:05

    -1

    have a few things in the future

    And not getting better anytime soon

• 

  parsimonious one on 15/11/2024 - 18:10

  +2

  Extras cover are rarely worth the money

  You should do some calculations to check what the rebate is for the services you think you’ll likely use

  In my experience it’s like one of those coupon books, in that you have to spend a few thousand on services to get enough rebates to cover the cost of premiums

  YMMV

  Hospital cover though is more likely to save you significantly, eg if you want to go privately for obstetrics or surgery

  Look at not for profit funds like teachers health, defence health etc as they are usually better value

  • 

    YesPleaseThankYou on 15/11/2024 - 19:47

    Extras cover are rarely worth the money

    While perhaps generally true, the OP has indicated they will use them.

    Further, most health fund promotions require the policyholder to take out hospital and extras policies to be eligible for the promotion.

    I have previously discussed that these promotions make it cheaper to take out the combined hospital and extras policy than the hospital policy alone, see https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15076041/redir

• 

  scrimshaw on 15/11/2024 - 18:27

  +1

  Three things you need to take into account when you sign up for insurance

  1. Waiting periods. Read this pamphlet for info
  2. Annual limits. An annual limit is the maximum amount of money you can claim for a service within a calendar year or financial year.
  3. @ Hospitals, you can end up paying a lot more out of your own pocket for doctors' fees (doctors generally charge private patients more than they charge public patients, and private health insurance will likely only cover part of it). See Gap Fee

  Doctors and other health providers often charge more than the MBS fee for medical services you receive as a private patient in a hospital. This is called the gap. You may have to pay the gap out of your own pocket unless the doctor has a gap arrangement with your insurer and charges you under that arrangement. Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment.

  All insurance providers have roughly the same gotcha's — so no matter what product you pick, the 3 main things I mentioned above apply universally.

  And another thing is — shop around periodically to avoid the lazy tax. Use cashback websites if they exist. You will be ripped off if you stay with the same provider your entire life — insurance providers typically only offer goodies to people who sign up as new customers. They don't reward long-time customers.

  • 

    YesPleaseThankYou on 15/11/2024 - 18:42

    Use cashback websites if they exist.

    I do not recommend use of these sites as they generally require you to hold the policy for too long to be eligible. You can usually find better offers by going direct. Further, they add another level of complexity when churning.

• 

  YesPleaseThankYou on 15/11/2024 - 18:40

  Health insurance is highly regulated in Australia. They are all as good (and as bad) as each other.

  Hospital policies are standardised within the Basic to Gold tiers, allowing for easy comparison. Extras policies are not standardised.

  I would recommend following the promotional offers. As pointed out by someone else above, insurers 'don't reward long-time customers'. By following the 'pay for 1 month, get 6 weeks free' (or other) offers, you can save around 60% per annum.

  See this site for all the basic info: https://privatehealth.gov.au/

• 

  Dollar General on 15/11/2024 - 19:33

  -2

  Are you flirting with us?

• 

  Benoffie on 15/11/2024 - 19:42

  How much of these are you currently using pa?
  How much are you currently paying?
  Have you shopped around for best deals outside of health cover?
  Have you asked about gaps and factored that cost in?
  Have you factored in the increased purchases due to the pressure of wanting to 'use' the extras?

  And finally, if you have NDIS or low income, all this changes as some things just got covered last month (Podiatry finally no arguments under NDIS).

  As a rough guide, HCF NSW Single Flex Extras No Hospital is just under $30pm. Rebate runs at 60%. Caps in place, essentially 1 free dental visit.

  Dumb math 30x12 = 360. Glasses (cap $175), Specsavers 2 for $199 minus 60% thats $80 gap, then 2 physio visits (mine was just $110 and $90, make it $200 so again $80 gap etc)

  Now youre at $360 + 80 + 80 +…..520 for one dentist visit, 2 pairs of glasses and 2 physio.

  I pay $240 dentist, hubby just got glasses inc lenses from Vision direct for $114 and my $200 physio - 554. And this year is a bad year and we have 3 of us.

  Have to math it.

• 

  c64 on 15/11/2024 - 21:30

  -1

  I will be using it mainly for extras like
  Optometry
  Podiatry
  Chiropractic
  Physio
  Dental
  Psychology (Not to important)

  don't forgot iridology, kinesiology, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathy and accupuncture!