Major Dental - Immediate Claim Private Health Insurance

Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 15:00

Hi Guys,

I just turned 25, and the wife and I want to sign up to private health insurance.

I currently need a crown and am noticing that most health insurance companies have long waiting times.

Does anyone know of any health insurance that allows you to immediately claim major dental procedures without having to wait an entire year ? (Quite literally have to wait a year).

I'm googling and calling up companies at the moment but not finding anyone. I have noticed through this forum there are companies I've never come across such as "frank health insurance". That is why I am posting this question, in case anyone has any advice\recommendations? (I swear I'm not just being lazy ;) )

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • cDNA on 30/03/2016 - 15:38

    You going to asia anytime soon?

    I travel to Korea every year and get a checkup, cleaning and dental work while I'm there. I spend a few hundred.

    I use Bupa in Australia

  • mskeggs on 30/03/2016 - 15:45
    +1

    When we joined Frank 2 years ago they had an offer to waive wait times, which is why we chose them.
    April is the month of best offers for funds, so shop around and don't rush into any thing until you have compared.
    Also, note that crowns have a finite life span, which nobody told me when I got one done at 30yro.

    • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 16:13

      Why is April the best month? I would assume it would be March before the price hike on 1st of April?

      Can you please elaborate further.

      • mskeggs on 30/03/2016 - 16:52
        +2

        Because everyone is angry about the price hike and looks around in April.
        Only OzB people are aware of upcoming price increases.

        • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 17:35

          by that logic - it makes sense to lock in something before April? (sorry, I'm not following your explanation)… it seems like it is a supply/demand type thing. Everyone is angry but still needs it, so they'll just leave it at the new higher price.

        • mskeggs on 30/03/2016 - 20:25
          +1

          @khonfahm:
          I can't explain it any other way except to say the marketing departments of the health insurance companies run their best offers just after the price rise each April.
          Feel free to disagree.

        • mangoss on 31/03/2016 - 08:31

          @khonfahm: The only usual way you can "lock in" a price for that year before April is to pay the full year premium at once. Pretty pricey, and most people can't afford it. I'm with Bupa and can't afford that, so am getting hit with a $35 increase come April…

  • brazen00 on 30/03/2016 - 15:53
    +6

    The long waiting times are to prevent exactly this scenario:

    Person has no insurance, person needs medical procedure, person wants someone else to pay, person gets insurance, insurance company pays, person cancels insurance.

    You may have to suck it up, buy the insurance and wait! Often insurance companies will waive waiting periods if you're moving from another insurer, but I gather that's not the case for you.

    • gomertose on 30/03/2016 - 16:13
      +3

      And make sure you brush your teeth and floss regularly in the mean time. 25 is quite young to be needing major dental work.

    • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 16:16
      +1

      I was with medibank private with family for last 10 years+.. turning 25 means no longer on the family card.

      I didn't realise the waiting periods were so long…

      From doing more research, it looks like some most health insurance companies only cough up $500-1000 per person on Dental anyway.. so I might as well just pay for it all upfront.

      • StuffnStuff on 31/03/2016 - 08:18
        +2

        I think you will find with most of them that they only pay a certain percentage towards dental, chiro etc. So even if they say they $2000 major dental, on a $1500 crown you will probably only get around $700 back.

  • CyberMurning on 30/03/2016 - 16:37
    +4

    yeah no one will waive waiting period for MAJOR dental. or anything else that are EXPENSIVE.
    but when you considering the payment you need to make during those whole waiting period, plus a lot restriction or limitation on how much $ you can claim, actually you might better off paying yourself and not taking with priv health providers

    • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 16:39

      That's what I'm noticing! Almost seems like it's only worth getting to get the medicare levy tax offset and go with the most basic hospital.

  • strikerzebra on 30/03/2016 - 17:00
    +1

    You can always take out the major dental insurance and then wait a year and then claim.

    • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 17:36

      certainly this would be against the terms and conditions/waiting period conditions, no way this works?!

      • strikerzebra on 30/03/2016 - 21:57
        +1

        I've queried it with my insurance company and they said it's fine, I signed up to my insurance in may last year and will be getting my crown may this year, you will only get $400 - $700 back most likely depending on your policy though.

        • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 22:20

          Great suggestion!! Thank you so much. I'll be looking into this further with my potential next insurance company !

        • strikerzebra on 30/03/2016 - 22:53
          +1

          @khonfahm:

          I'm with HIF and I personally only signed up because of dental, they pretty much cover 95% of your general dental bills and have the highest coverage for major dental that i've seen, message me for further details

  • redsmeg on 30/03/2016 - 19:16
    +2

    Not exactly insurance but might help. No waiting period and cheaper procedures.
    smile.com.au

    • Tech and cars on 30/03/2016 - 22:18

      I'll most likely go with this!! Thank you so so much !!

  • goosegog on 31/03/2016 - 18:18
    +1

    Have recently changed over from Hif ( after being with them for over 12 years ) to HBF as the benefits are better. No waiting time as just changing funds.
    However we both wish to have extensive dental work , so after many questions to HBF & much research are organising X-Ray's, check-ups & reports to be done here on private health & then having all major work done in Phuket for a fraction of the cost in Aus. Through a clinic with great reviews in Patong. Also got a great deal through Scoopon for a hotel in Kata for 3 weeks - heaps of recovery time & holiday - we will dribble happily into our cocktails !

    • kiitos on 31/03/2016 - 23:08
      +2

      Wow! What sort of major dental work is it that both of you need? What are the comparative costs between having it done in Oz vs OS?

  • goosegog on 02/04/2016 - 14:29

    @ Klitos . Probably sounds worse than is really. Hubby wants new front teeth + a couple of crowns& general work such as old fillings removed & redone. Quote in Aus. even with private cover was over $ 6000 !
    I want a couple of crowns, whitening ( as I am now a reformed smoker ), old fillings removed & redone. I have not had a quote for having the work done in Aus. but know it would be up there around Hubbys quote - hence we started research to get the work done elsewhere& came up with Phuket. Don't know the complete cost at the moment - from their pricing structure we are thinking around $ 4000 for both of us. Factor in a 3 week holiday in a great hotel, bought on a bargain from Scoopon & we are " quids in"
    Hope this helps

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