Health Insurance and Practitioner Appointments

I've found an Osteopath that I think might be able to help me with some health issues I'm currently experiencing. The initial consult will cost me $100 and $80 for every follow up thereafter. There will probably also be a number of pathology tests (not covered by medicare). I have been advised by them that private health cover would pay for the appointments.

Would it be worth it to take out private health cover to pay for these consults? How many appointments will they pay for? Is there a waiting period? What about blood tests and things? (I'm not holding my breath)

BTW, Before anybody goes saying "why don't you just talk to your doctor about it", I have. I've seen quite a few specialists and I don't really want to go into the details other than I've done my research and this is the path I want to take.

Comments

  • There is no way that extras cover (the sort that will refund a portion of these costs) will be financially advantageous based on this info.
    If you have additional significant health expenses, then maybe.
    Perhaps a way top look at it is, if you got, say, $300 refunded from a series of osteo appointments, would that make you think private health cover is worthwhile for the peace of mind/other benefits? Or would it still look like bad value to you?

  • +1

    If you are getting insurance for just osteopath, then it won't be worth it as the annual limit for osteopath is usually $200-300 (quick check on the MediBank extras site - $200 limit). Unless you use it for dental, optical etc too.

    • +2

      Right. That was the kind of info I was looking for. I honestly don't know much about health cover at all.

      • +1

        Don't worry. You're not the only one.

  • +2

    Agree with what others have said so far - if you're just looking at extras for osteopath, it's likely not worth it. If you'd use the other options, eg dental, optical, physio etc, then perhaps yes.

    Different providers have different waiting periods, but I believe most have a 2 or 6 month waiting period for extras.

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