Private Health Insurance - Is it Worthwhile?

[Julia]

Thinking about the inevitability of premiums rising yet again as a result of so many people dropping out of private cover now that they are freed from the Medicare levy, I'd be interested to know how many people do have private insurance and in what form, i.e. do you just have hospital cover, or do you have hospital plus extras?

e.g. I have both. Have never used the hospital cover but more than get my Extras premium back on those ancillary services like physio, dental, acupuncture etc.

I know some people who take the view that if it's an emergency they are going to end up in the public system anyway, and that's certainly true, and others who feel the premiums have just become too high, and if they need elective surgery then they will just pay to have it done privately.

I imagine most people's views about the public system are largely influenced by where they live. If you are in a capital city where there are large teaching hospitals, then you're probably going to be fine, but in a regional centre (remember Dr Death - Jayant Patel here in Qld?) you are most unlikely to be fine.

 

[Prospector]

I really shouldn't complain about the premiums I pay, because we have probably extracted more over the last 30 years, than we have put in.

But, my mother was recently taken to a major public hospital, by ambulance (as elderly people are wont to do) and she received the best care, all the tests, no lengthy wait etc as a public patient (don't think she let on she had private hospital) with no out of pocket expenses. She does live about 5 minutes away from the Hospital, so really, I do sometimes wonder, given that any health issue she may face probably won't be elective, but emergency care if she is wasting her money. She doesn't need things like hip replacement etc etc, so for her, probably not.

Wonder how long it will take for the Hospital Funds to put in their applications for increased charges though.

 

[Stan 101]

Julia, I am not part of the private health cover crowd. I am happy to pay my 1% to medicare each year. The reasons I don't have any cover is that as you mentioned, if I have an injury requiring emergency I will as you mentioned go to the public arena. If I have a more serious illness requiring surgery, I'd go overseas to have treatment and pay for it.
The other thing is I've yet to see health care cover that suits what I want. I don't want dental, rebated sport shoes, optical, physio and all the other malarky (to me). It seems people pay hiogher premiums so everyone can get discounted massages yet still have a gap payment on most things when they actually need the cover.
I really think the health cover in Australia should be a not for profit industry so all those earnings are poured back into the system and not be so heavily subsidised by the government at the expense of the public system.

I do have emergency evacuation insurance. This gives me free transport with medical care to the nearest hyperbaric chamber no matter where in the world I may be should a serious scuba incident arise.
cheers,

 

[robots]

hello,

i made a decision 4 years ago to save a weekly ($30) amount to an ING online,

this was to potentially cover medical expenses and income protection insurance,

the balance is slowly building up, now have funds I may look at taking a longer waiting period for income protection insurance say 120 days (although this is a total non-payment period) as the premiums are low

what gets me about PHI is they only cover the gap, so:

we will use a workmate who only a couple of weeks ago became a father
(all this in a private hospital)

anaethetist bill $1000 cold hard
medicare schedule fee: $500
PHI Paid: $100
medicare covered (80% of schedule fee $400)

out of pocket $500,

if you mid to early twenties then start pilling it away

thankyou

robots

 

[Julia]

hello,

i made a decision 4 years ago to save a weekly ($30) amount to an ING online,

this was to potentially cover medical expenses and income protection insurance,

the balance is slowly building up, now have funds I may look at taking a longer waiting period for income protection insurance say 120 days (although this is a total non-payment period) as the premiums are low

what gets me about PHI is they only cover the gap, so:

we will use a workmate who only a couple of weeks ago became a father
(all this in a private hospital)

anaethetist bill $1000 cold hard
medicare schedule fee: $500
PHI Paid: $100
medicare covered (80% of schedule fee $400)

out of pocket $500,

if you mid to early twenties then start pilling it away

thankyou

robots

Sure, but isn't having insurance about more than just the cost?
It's also to do with being able to choose your doctor (obstetrician in this case). If you rely on the public system you could end up having your baby in the corridor.

 

[Superfly]

Sure, but isn't having insurance about more than just the cost?
It's also to do with being able to choose your doctor (obstetrician in this case). If you rely on the public system you could end up having your baby in the corridor.

...though I live o/s, still keep my private health in Oz... having worked years ago in a major public city hospital I thought the emergency dept was great, but the wards, I would rather be in a private hospital with a experienced doctor not an intern from India doing the rounds ( so to speak )... had my wisdom teeth out in a private hospital, so have been there.... but now would most probably have any operation in SE Asia in one of the major private hospitals, world class medical treatment here, but will still keep my oz insurance just in case...

 

[theasxgorilla]

...though I live o/s, still keep my private health in Oz... having worked years ago in a major public city hospital I thought the emergency dept was great, but the wards, I would rather be in a private hospital with a experienced doctor not an intern from India doing the rounds ( so to speak )... had my wisdom teeth out in a private hospital, so have been there.... but now would most probably have any operation in SE Asia in one of the major private hospitals, world class medical treatment here, but will still keep my oz insurance just in case...

Ditto. Have kept my Aust insurance. No such thing as private over here really.

 

[Dink]

I am a doctor and I would not go anywhere without health insurance. I can afford it and therefore think I should pay for it. It is simply not worth the risk (and risk is what insurance is all about) for me not to have it. I have complete faith in the public system to deal with emergency cases soundly but my family's health and well being is the most important thing and will spare no cost.

 

[Julia]

I am a doctor and I would not go anywhere without health insurance. I can afford it and therefore think I should pay for it. It is simply not worth the risk (and risk is what insurance is all about) for me not to have it. I have complete faith in the public system to deal with emergency cases soundly but my family's health and well being is the most important thing and will spare no cost.

Dink, does that confidence in the public system extend to regional hospitals in Australia regarding their emergency departments?

 

[Dink]

I am going to be honest...

I work in a regional area. Unfortunately the expectations of the health care that can be provided have exceeded reality for a long time. All the powers that be have agendas other than patient care. This includes the governments, hospital administrators and the AMA. All these bodies paint a picture of a terrible public health system essentially to gain more funding and pass the buck. Not to mention media outlets which profit from the bad press. In reality we have a fantastic health system that functions very well compared with the rest of the world.

This is not to say improvements cannot be made. It is not simply about money (we have a much better system than the US), it is not about public vs private (we have a much better system than Canada) and it is not about more strict regulation or assessment (we have a much better system than the NHS). The problem in Australia's public hospitals is morale. The doctors, nurses, allied health staff simply do not want to work there because they do not feel they can meet these high expectations. As a result more people leave the jobs and go private or simply find other occupations. We have administrators that are more concerned about numbers rather than individual patient care.

Sorry about that rant. Back to the initial question. Care in regional hospitals will not be as good as that in metropolitan areas. It is simple not feasible that that will be the case. Regional areas simply do not have the population to sustain all medical services. Is this bad? I don't think so. I don't choose to live in a place because of the health care that can be provided there and I don't think many should. I choose the area because of the lifestyle it can provide me. The benefits of living in a regional centre compared to a city of 1 million+ people is much more important to me than having every medical service available. If this is important to you then you move to a big city and deal with the traffic, the people, the pollution etc. It is all about perspective.

 

[nioka]

I'm probably in as good a position as anyone to comment. I've had plenty of experience lately. My conclusions are;

1. You need private health insurance.
2. In an emergency you will receive very good service from the public health system.

My emergencies have been dramatic to an extent. The first was a fall from a horse in the bush. The ambulance attended, called in the helicopter and I ended up in hospital without me having any choice. I got prompt attention as a public patient. I ended up with a bill for $5000 for the helicopter which my Health fund paid. The hospital treatment was free.
The next was an explosion on my boat. Another helicopter ride to the burns ward at the Brisbane Base hospital. Treated as a public patient with no complaints. The public system works in a case like that. The helicopter also was free as it was transport from one hospital to another.

However there are times when it does not. As a public patient you may have to wait in a long queue for some surgery. You also cannot often choose your doctor. Doctors, like mechanics, are not all as experienced or as proficient as you would like. I have experience to prove that too. I've had a double hernia operation go wrong when I did not have a choice of surgeon and had to have another op by one of my choice to correct the problem.
I recently had prostate surgery and did a lot of research before choosing my surgeon and as a result had 100% success. I could not have done that without my insurance which also got me a private ward in a private hospital at no cost. I did not have to wait. I know a few people who had a bad result with "learner drivers" with prostate operations.
I know people in their late years waiting more than a year for hip or knee replacements. In some cases that is a big proportion of the rest of their life. They needed private health cover.

When you are young you think you are bullet proof but there are many diseases that can strike at any age and accidents do happen. If you end up with the need for medical help then insurance will make life a lot easier and recovery faster.

 

[tech/a]

Firstly dont do any activities with NOIKA.

Secondly I have done very well from private health cover since 40--14 yrs.
What with Dental,Glasses,Weekly Massage,Couple of small ops (Skin/Sun related),Then of course the other half.

Gotta have it at our age Julia.
NIOKA makes very good and valid points.

 

[Timmy]

I am going to be honest...

This is not to say improvements cannot be made. It is not simply about money (we have a much better system than the US), it is not about public vs private (we have a much better system than Canada) and it is not about more strict regulation or assessment (we have a much better system than the NHS). The problem in Australia's public hospitals is morale. The doctors, nurses, allied health staff simply do not want to work there because they do not feel they can meet these high expectations. As a result more people leave the jobs and go private or simply find other occupations. We have administrators that are more concerned about numbers rather than individual patient care.

Great post thanks Dink - great to hear an honest assessment from the 'inside' from someone without an axe to grind. Much appreciated.

 

[wildkactus]

I have done the same as Robots, I self insure.
Have setup an account that is part of my private retirerment account that is for Health needs as I am only in my early thirties and move around alot.

But one thing I do have is a good travel insuance plan, this covers my transport and medical expenses from time of accident / health problem back to my home hospital. Then I pay for all expenses from my fund once at my home hospital.
I find this the best solution for my needs now it may change in the future.

I also find that if you tell the doctor / hospital that you will pay cash you get fast and good service.

 

[Julia]

I
I also find that if you tell the doctor / hospital that you will pay cash you get fast and good service.

Yes, I've heard this too. Also that the fees are negotiable for cash.

 

[Julia]

Dink, thank you for description of your experience in the public system.

Given all the problems, it must be a less than rewarding workplace, as you have suggested when you comment on the low morale.

What is it about working in a public hospital that attracts you, rather than working in the private system?

 

[tech/a]

Also that the fees are negotiable for cash.

Having payment immediately really helps cash flow.
The power of cash in negotiating anything shouldnt be under estimated.

 

[auric]

I think the debate should be do we need a private health system being partly funded by the Government.
If you have Major Heart Attack you will end up in a public hospital
so private is realy just window dressing i e picking your doctor and jumping the waiting list and choice,
Better totaly restructuring the Public System to a Quasi Private system that is not so Administrative heavy.

 

[Dink]

Public hospitals offer much to doctors. Teaching opportunities. Limited on-call time cf. being on-call 24/7 in many private practices. Case load is different as most very sick and emergency cases go publicly. This is weighed against more money and more efficiency. I will not be staying in the public system for the rest of my career. Just suits where I am at the moment.

 

[Julia]

Public hospitals offer much to doctors. Teaching opportunities. Limited on-call time cf. being on-call 24/7 in many private practices. Case load is different as most very sick and emergency cases go publicly. This is weighed against more money and more efficiency. I will not be staying in the public system for the rest of my career. Just suits where I am at the moment.

Thanks, Dink. Have to say, though, that I've not come across too many private doctors who make themselves available 24/7!