Has Anyone Found a Better Value Deal for Health Insurance than BUPA?

bobwokeup on 12/04/2017 - 16:06

I've been with BUPA for many years on the budget family cover (or similar) which is budget hospital and extras. I'm currently paying $192/month and get up to 60% back for preferred ancillary providers. Every now and then I look at other companies (i.e. HBF, HIF, AHM) to see if there is a better deal and none of them seem to compare. Not sure if this will help but we have never used the hospital cover and mainly use physio, dental, optical (every couple of years), acupuncture & massage.

Also not sure if it is just BUPA but they are getting rid of the Living Well program which is $100 per member in the back pocket. Although in saying that the claims process is very lengthy and frustrating but still it's money in the bank so I still did it every year.

Has anyone else had a similar experience or have suggestions? I know there are heaps of posts on here for health insurance and I've read most of them but to be honest I am still confused when it comes to health insurance. I find it so hard to compare deals as there are so many components to consider. Tried a few websites like comparethemarket but didn't find them very helpful as all 3 prices were more than what I'm paying.

Thanks in advance!!

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • bobbified on 12/04/2017 - 17:32
    +1

    The health insurers are just as bad as the telcos in that they deliberately set out their plan features so that it's confusing and difficult to compare.

    You're always going to find what seems like "better deals" with other insurers - until you read the fine print.

    My suggestion would be to come up with a list of the items you need covered based on priority and work your way from there comparing like-for-like and then determine what you believe is value for money.

  • holdenmg on 12/04/2017 - 20:47

    Hi,

    I use and recommend HIF. I'm not in Perth (unlike some lol) but despite their weird location (and timezone), I have found them realistic to deal with, prompt and fair. (they pay without issues).

    HIF have an App for Claims:
    https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/hif-smartclaim/id472196328?m…
    or
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.hif.sma…

    The BUPA Living Well program says "*From 1 June 2017, changes will be made to this extras service, but are not clear on what they are…
    My understanding is that this may become https://www.bupaplus.com.au/

  • GangGang on 12/04/2017 - 21:31

    I do my claims online and receive the money within a few days. It shouldn't take long.

  • ozzie freddo on 12/04/2017 - 23:29
    +1

    I did a review of my wife's cover with BUPA and saved around $400 annually by moving to Australian Unity. I moved mine from Medibank to AU with an annual saving of several hundred. A significant bonus wit AU is that they do not require an excess payment for day hospital procedures for things like colonoscopies. This can represent a saving of $500 every few years.
    For new members who sign up via their website there is a $100 gift card and the referrer gets one too. I'd be happy to share mine with you if you want to nominate my membership number of 80807414 and send me your details via the ozbargain "contact a member" facility.

  • SharedSugar on 13/04/2017 - 11:12
    +1

    There is a comparison site which might help. It tries to create categories to make comparison more simple.
    http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/
    As a general rule I dislike commercial comparison websites, but the government site is far from perfect.
    I am with Health Care Insurance.

  • bobwokeup on 13/04/2017 - 12:11

    Thanks all for the feedback. I actually received a call from a comparethemarket rep and I told her thanks but all the prices quoted where higher than what I'm paying. We had a quick conversation about what I want and she ended up finding me a much better deal with Frank Health Insurance at $129/month. The main reason it's so much cheaper is the hospital cover is very basic (i.e. covers accidents) as we don't plan on using it in the next few years. So she suggested to go on that until a time that I might need better hospital cover and then re-evaluate.

    • holdenmg on 13/04/2017 - 13:01

      No worries, just be aware that if you step down on your Hospital Cover, you may need to re-serve eligibility if you decide to step-up up to a higher level of cover again at a later date.

      • bobwokeup on 13/04/2017 - 13:28

        Good point thanks and that'll probably be 12 months.

  • Bront-1800 on 15/04/2017 - 19:07
    +1

    I have HIF too. Actually used them solely for their maternity cover over the past 5 years. Cheapest cover around - no others will cover you on medium hospital cover for maternity yet I still got a lot back.

    Now with them for extras - special extras - so pretty cheap cover (budget-medium range) and they cover for major dental! I got about $1000 back off a root canal last year, not bad for $35 a month per single for that…

    We can't afford hospital cover at the moment and refuse to get the cheap policy, as if I ever have an accident that's bad enough to go by ambulance, you get dropped off at the public hospital anyway.

  • PlasticSpaceman on 03/05/2017 - 11:37

    Currently looking at changing from Medibank, and another option to consider (if you're eligible - and the eligibility requirements are pretty relaxed) is the Defence health covers eg http://www.defencehealth.com.au/, http://navyhealth.com.au/, etc. We've got a pretty competitive/tempting quote for our family cover as my wifes dad is ex army.

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