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Nightjar

Nightjar

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Sep 26, 2013
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Home-Waikiki, Prospect-Leonora
Was shocked to receive an email today advising a huge jump in health insurance as from April 1st.
We pensioners pay the same premium as the young ones on their $150,00.00+ annual salary.
Not to mention the CEO's salary of $1.5 million.
It is time for moves to give relief for those who have worked a lifetime supporting the economy?
Support the backbone of the country!
Are you listening Scomo and clan? (Pigs flying emoji)
 
I'm one of those that believes in private health insurance, yes if something major sadly happens those without it will get urgent help just like those that have insurance, the benefit comes in when you need non urgent surgery ..... having private cover has given me immediate access on a few occasions. Don't need to be on a waiting list if I have something that can be fixed.

Sadly as we get older and to a stage where we really need it many find it too expensive, like a lot of other things they go to great lengths with incentives to attract people but offer nothing to years of loyal membership (actually we become a burden to them as we're more likely to need it and they'd rather see us go).
 
Your right Teemore and NJ, we have Private Health and wouldn't be without it. Our insurer won't be having a rise till October and they informed us of this last year. I had a dental appointment yesterday (every 6 months) cost $208.00 with insurance i paid $0. Years ago i had to have an op and cost would have been $76,000 with insurance i paid $34.00 which was the cost of medication to take home. Private Insurance gets my vote and like everything else at our age we budget for it and any future rises.
Mackka
 
Must be good to be rich :eek: :D :D :D But then I'm lucky enough to have never been sick and never filled a script in my life. Had a good innings and nowadays any day on the right side of the lawns a good one to me. :Y:
 
You don't have to be rich-just put it into your budget. I wasn't "sick" until my mid 60's. My parents had me in priv health from the day I started working for PMG. I've switched co's a cuppla times and now with HCF. I also paid super from day 1 with PMG. I had 36 yrs with that mob and never regretted a second of it.
 
My right hip has been gradually shiting itself for 2 years and I think I'll have a replacement in January 23, if I didn't have Private Health Insurance I'd be lucky to have it done by January 33. :skull:
 
Interesting, the only out of pocket is the take home medications.
My knee replacement cost $30+.
However you need to ask questions about payments.
The first surgeon my GP referred me too wanted $8000 over and above my top cover.
Back to the GP resulted in a surgeon who bulk billed and slotted me in for surgery the following week.
My mate waited with severe pain for two years.
He's still waiting for prostrate op?
I still say premiums should be reduced for pensioners.
 
Mackka said:
$100, Harry you were robbed :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :playful:
NJ maybe have a look at your coverage for anything that isn't needed. Just a thought.
Mackka
Click to expand...

Yes Makka,
Tried ringing HBF gave up after 20 minutes wait, will visit their local office next week.
Will be informing them that I'll be looking around. Have already dropped the eye brow plucker, make up and nail polish service. :lol: :playful:
 
Nightjar said:
Interesting, the only out of pocket is the take home medications.
My knee replacement cost $30+.
However you need to ask questions about payments.
The first surgeon my GP referred me too wanted $8000 over and above my top cover.
Back to the GP resulted in a surgeon who bulk billed and slotted me in for surgery the following week.
My mate waited with severe pain for two years.
He's still waiting for prostrate op?
I still say premiums should be reduced for pensioners.
Click to expand...

Have to agree 100% NJ, the scales are certainly tipped one way if you compare the pension pizzly amount (if your lucky enough to get it) to the monthly cost of private cover. Pensioners should be free IMHO. When it comes to looking after it's elderly, Australia fails miserably sadly in all aspects. :mad:

As stupid as it sounds but basically if you haven't got private cover then you can't afford to get sick. Yeah nah that's just wrong :eek:
 
Here's another difference re Private Public -

12 years ago, kidney stone, collapsed 0800 Friday at work. Taken to Public hospital, as a private patient. Had the stone removed, thru recovery and back in my bed before breakfast on the Saturday. (Morphine until then).

A month or two later a mate of mine had the same condition, went to the same hospital, but as a public patient. Had scans, Got given some Panadol and sent home with a Op booking 3 months later. After 3 cancellations, he finally got the op 18 months later. During that time he was in constant pain and as he was self employed in the building game, he lost his business as well as having a fall due to a pain spasm.

Other than my military service, I've had private since 1971.

PS I'm with Apia $158 PF Top hospital and 6 extras incl Optical, Dental, Major Dental and Ambo. Last Ambo was a bit under $1,200
 
Re Looking around, we are with Bupa, The issue I tell phone callers asking us to change is that XYZ may have cheaper premiums but with benefits like dental if you change you have lower returns on your costs first year, and slightly better each year up to 6 years or so, so we are still with Bupa now (with the biggest discounts on dental costs etc) and probably the future.
 
Ouch
Dental ? Have a holiday in Vietnam ($400 return ticket) and get a root canal for $90. Haven't visited an Australian dentist for over 20 years :Y:
 

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