Private Health..Yay or Nay

Always had it. and got so much benefit out of it.

I will always keep. I do-not get 30% rebate from government, I still have it.

 

10 years ago I needed a knee replacement and with no PHI had to wait 18 months to have it replaced. By the time I got to hospital I could hardly walk and was in a lot pain. It was then I decided to take out PHI. ATM I pay HCF $197 per month [single], the surcharge will end Nov 2021 and my payments will decrease. During the last 5 years have had a couple of visits to hospital for which I paid zilch. I consider $2,400 per annum a small price to pay for peace of mind re which hospital I go to and knowing I will have Newcastle's best to look after me.

 

I am replying to my previous message ...
12 months before my knee replacement I was diagnosed with breast cancer, at that time I had no PHI, I cant speak highly enough of the treatment I received as a public patient at Mater Hospital, Newcastle. Once diagnosed, I had an appointment with a Specialist and was in hospital within 3 weeks, spent an afternoon having it removed and had radiotherapy for 6 weeks, all at the expense of the government. I mentioned to the theatre nurse how quickly I received treatment and her reply 'when we know something needs to be done asap, we do it' comforting words to a frightened patient [me] ...

 

Same as my mother and father, both got treated for cancer in PHS, cant speak highly enough

 

So true the above statement but when you read @balwoges knee replacement then definately worth it.

I have been trying online comparisons and may be I am choosing way too many Hospital + extras that my monthly charges coming above $600 (for couple).

Is there anyone who have taken PHI only for Tax purposes and what does it cover and any benefits they have seen for having bare minimum?

 

First world problem here too, we've just been advised of the annual increase, it's Now topping out at close to $750/month

 

Omg

 

Bupa Platinum

 

Do you get a set of steak knives with this

 

...and they'll surgically remove them from your back at the private hospital of your choice.

 

The bare bones hospital cover for tax purposes doesn't tend to give you much more than the tax benefit. The next level up (varies between insurers) is usually a bit more useful with coverage for orthopaedics, ENT, endoscopy. I get a basic hospital product that includes orthopaedic cover. Rationale being that joint issues wait forever in the public system - they don't threaten your life but can threaten your livelihood.

 

My bare bones GMHBA plan (I only purchase for tax purposes) from memory reimburses my ambulance Vic membership + is the only 'hospital only' cheapo plan I've found that just happens to give cashback on dental checkups (I think they cover around $120 worth of general check up expenses which is a great bonus). It's around $75ish/month roughly last time I checked. I wouldn't know if it's any good for anything else - doubt it - I got my tonsils out a year or so ago and paid out of my own pocket.

 

Hi guys, thank you for sharing your experience but after reading here and exploring options we made our mind not to take and as @maroon mentioned:
"The bare bones hospital cover for tax purposes doesn't tend to give you much more than the tax benefit"

We may contribute into super or find other way but at this stage no PHI...

 

Plug your deets into this website @Never giveup: Do I need health insurance?


Often it's a choice of giving your money to the government or health fund, for zero benefit to you. But if your income is high enough, you might end up with more $$$ in your pocket by simply having a junk hospital only policy.

 

Thank you @rizzle , will try and uodate you!!

 

Due to my age , we may need to pay extra however will read bit more into it but at this stage...still no

 

Notified Friday of increase to HCF insurance to $208.00 per month [$10 increase] rang HCF and found out my surcharge ends Oct 2021 and there will be a DECREASE of $70 pm from then on ...

 

What's this about the surcharge ending?

 

You pay a penalty if you dont take out PHI by the time you reach a designated age [I think 30 at the moment] for each year you dont take out insurance a penalty is paid which increases each year. I didn't take out insurance until I was a senior citizen so therefore I have had to pay for 10 years an extra premium [in my case around $70pm] which ends October 2021.