Health Insurance

[XBenX]

Despite being young and healthy I might as well get health insurance. I pay for it anyway at tax time.

The +1 has to get medical insurance from her employer as a condition of employment (third line forcing anyone?) so Im after a singles cover.

Im just after something reasonable - around $50 or $60 a month.

Researching health insurance is like mobile phones and other insurance - like pulling teeth. I have narrowed it down to a choice of three.

HCF Advanced Savings w/ General Extra's
http://www.hcf.com.au/products/pack...ingle&mAgeGroup=1&state=NSW&excess_code=C&p=1

Medibank My Options
http://www.medibank.com.au/productandservices/packages/myoptions.asp

NIB Bodyguard
http://www.nib.com.au/products/covers/bodyguard_singles.asp

Im generally in hospital at least once a year due to a snowboarding injury but that is of little concern, it is usually either oversea's or through emergency anyhow.

The only thing I need coverage for when my ACL eventually goes (Im one of the few that has 1000+ days on snow and two original ALC's)

Does anyone have any experience, comments etc?

 

[willy1111]

PHC & Medicare Surcharge

My partner and I are both 25 and have had no experience with Private Health Cover.

But given we have just paid $1,700 in medicare surcharge - and probably more next year. I have thought about taking out a cheap policy just so we don't have to pay the surcharge.

As far as I can tell to be exempt from the surcharge the policy needs to have hospital cover as a minimum.

The NIB public hospital policy would cost us about $900 - so a saving of at least $800 on the surcharge. Better in my pocket I say.

At the moment this saving would be the only reason for us to consider taking out a policy.

Does anyone else do this?? or know of a cheaper policy that will exempt them from the surcharge??

And also - has anybody else's accountant suggested this when you have asked him or her for any potential ways you could reduce your tax bill??? Mine didn't and to be honest I was a bit annoyed at him for it.

Cheers

 

[yadreamin]

There is this website www.hica.com.au that you can go to and they will find you the best and cheapest medical cover in Aus to suite your needs.
I did this over 12 months ago and they got the same cover l had for $80 less per month with another insurer.
They are like a broker for all health insurance in Aus.
Its well worth taking the time to do.It costs you nothing except a little time.
Cheers yadreamin

 

[XBenX]

Willy - should be more like $600/year (and that includes a no frills extras cover)

I have all the policy documents to read. I will let you know which one I choose.

 

[doreilly]

www.iselect.com.au

don't think it covers all health insurers though.

 

[XBenX]

A tip from another forum:

"This company is better than iselect, they have heaps more health funds that they deal with.

www.nathealth.com.au

HBA are quiet good as far as price goes, there is also another fund called GMHBA and their rates are almost imposible to beat."

Still doing my research....

 

[Mike F]

I joined up as well to avoid the surcharge.

Ended up going with Manchester Unity on the 'Healthmate' Policy. It is about $28 per fortnight I think - it has a basic extras cover as well included.

Cheers
Mike F