I have a family and looking for a decent extras cover to have for dental (general cleaning / fillings) and optical.
I think HIF seems to have the best value currently.
Does anyone know of any better alternative? Looking at say 250/pp for optical and maybe $500-$1000 yearly limit on dental. Wont probably use any of the other stuff unless there is gym membership included and so forth.
HIF will give you fantastic dental, but somewhat mediocre optical in comparison.
They are great value though however (we're always able to claim back more than our premiums for the extras component)
You could check out HCF as well…
I'm with Frank, paying $72/month. They cover 80% of the cost of extras, including ambulance membership. Limit for optometry is $120, dental is $500. Natural therapies $400. The 80% refund is great, because I really enjoy those Chinese massages that you get at the shopping centre. They normally cost around $90/hr, so I only pay $18.
I am with them too.
Worth noting they have a 505 option with the same limits. If you spend, e.g. $240 on optical you might as well get the lower premium 50% policy as the total refund remains the same.
For the record, I don't think Frank is that great for extras, so read the policy carefully.
We usually reach all our limits on optical, dental and natural therapies. So if my maths serves me correctly, which it often does not, I think we come out on top with the 80% extras.
I think the maths is the reverse. The limits are the same, you just get there slower with the 50% policy (we also usually hit our limits). The 80% suits people who make fewer claims.
@mskeggs: I'll show you my working.
Annual fee 50% extras: $50 x 12 = $600
Monthly fee 80% extras: $72 x 12 = $864
Total spent on services for 2 people (optical + dental + natural therapies) if you claim up to limits on 50% extras:
$1020 annually
Total spent on services for 2 people (optical + dental + natural therapies) if you claim up to limits on 80% extras:
$408 annually
50% extras total cost: $600 + $1020 = $1620
80% extras total cost: $864 + $408 = $1272
I'm with health.com.au, Base 65% $200 Optical, $600 Dental, $250 Natural Therapies + $200 more for Remedial massage. There's $100 for gym as well.
You might want to have a look at Medibank family extras if you have at least 2 kids. Free dental check ups per year for everyone which does not count on your annual limits. Then 100% back on kids up to annual limits. Although you have to see a Medibank Members Choice provider which I reckon most of the dentists are. $200 on Optical. Pre pay for 1 year before April 1 and you can save before the price increases.
Edit: Looking at the HIF plans. Looks good too.
Question: Do dentists have a set price for a particular procedure or do they have different prices?
Thanks for all the posts so far. I think HIF is clearly in the lead at the moment. I would probably not use any of the alternative therapies lol
AHM
I'd go with HIF. :+)