Is there an ‘honest’ health insurance comparison site? Please help.

[Deactivated] on 13/01/2018 - 23:41

Hey guys,

Please help me decide to change my health insurance, or drop it altogether.

I’ve been running around in circles trying to change my health insurance from Medibank whom I had been with for 20 years, to something more affordable after the ridiculous increases recently.

I knew that popular companies like iselect and comparethemarket are targeted towards insurances that are in their camp, so to speak. That’s fair enough if they are up front about it. I have nothing against sponsored promotions.

Then I went to Canstar and ProductReview as I thought they were more independent. ProductReview had been my go-to site for anything I wanted to buy. But no more. I understand that Canstar also favour sponsored products too.

Well surprise! I came across a worrying pattern. From what I could see there is a group of health insurance companies who have an ‘umbrella’ company which sponsors the site. Not surprisingly most of the health insurers under that umbrella get at 4.5 points or above out of 5 points! While the umbrella co is listed as sponsored, the others are not, you can only find that when you go to their website, and see all the insurers under them they represent.

After googling in desparation, I came across a number of (free) articles on the Choice website like this one https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/health/articles/ju… which warns of health insurance scams. Choice claims that they are independent, and have a comparison site https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/health/compare/ but they want $24 a month for the privelege!!! A but steep for me. And who knows if they too are independent.

A side note is that some smaller companies are good and independent, but they are less likely to have agreements with most doctors and hospitals when you need them.

A quote I found at Choice was something like “Dont buy health insurance, as an Australian resident you already have health insurance, it’s called MEDICARE”. I have seriously been thinking about dropping the whole health insurance thing. I also remember a senior politician many years ago said he does not pay for health insurance because Medicare is the best health insurance you can get in the Western world. It may have been Jeff Kennett but I could be wrong.

Also because most of the best surgeons and specialists work in our public hospitals As well as private, you are likely to get the best even if you go in as a public patient.

Please help! I have stayed with Medibank for now, just lowered my plan to the lowest I can go. But Iam seriously considering dropping them altogether.

Thanx.

Financial

Comments

  • Elppa8 on 14/01/2018 - 00:01
    +18

    Try the Australian Government comparison site

  • twobit on 14/01/2018 - 00:33
    +3

    We use Grand United which is the corporate version of Australia Unity. Ours is $500pm with an excess of $500 paid once per year on first admission (after the rebate, combined income around $80k). We have 80% cover on extras with no sublimits and fairly good caps.

    Whilest this is a high cost based on our income, our eldest daughter has several medical issues since birth and multiple surgeries per year. Over the past 6years they have paid out well over $420k. Each night she is admitted is around $750 and she spends upto 50days a year.

    Some surgeries shee needed had 6months wait in the public system or withon the week as a private - which was good.

    I have looked at changing but seems our current plan suits our needs still and other providers didnt save much (one month free). I still shop around every 3-6months.

    • Donaldhump on 14/01/2018 - 03:55

      Sorry to hear this

    • CheapSticks on 14/01/2018 - 07:26

      sorry to hear man. Pls check HCF they are pretty good with coverage and claims

    • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 12:50

      Sorry you have to go thru that. I guess it depends if one has chronic issues in that case private is really essential.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 12:57

      When my kids were small they too had chronic issues, but nothing what you are going through, hence why I had paid medibank for over 20 yrs. but they dont value long term customers. Now I have only one dependent child left and that is why I will probably keep it until she turns 18 then fling the health insurance.

  • John Kimble on 14/01/2018 - 00:35

    Really depends on your situation. Eg If you use extras a lot, then it might be worth it. If you earn over a certain amount or are older than 31 it might be worth it.

    • follow on 14/01/2018 - 06:31

      is it worth it if you got 10 kids as they are free apparently

  • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 05:23
    +1

    I asked my doctor what health insurance to buy, he said - don't!

  • urahara on 14/01/2018 - 09:17
    +1

    I like Frank insurance btw..

    • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 18:14
      -1

      What is that? Bikkies?

    • Quantumcat on 17/01/2018 - 08:32

      I am with them too. They were cheapest/best value when I was looking around, but haven't re-checked for a few years

  • ChrisLevo on 14/01/2018 - 09:54
    +1

    Choice is completely independent, and often is the first to blow the whistle on shonky offerings.

    That price you quoted is quarterly, and they offer discounts for annual subscriptions.

    Disclaimer - long time (25+ years) Choice subscriber.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 12:51

      Thanks. Probably got the fees wrong. I will probably subscribe in that case.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 13:06

    My reasoning for preferring Medicare over private health insurance.

    My mum is 80 yrs old and had a hip operation twice on the same hip, second time got infection in the prosthesis so they had to take it out completely. Now she has no bone or prosthesis in that hip and on high dose of flucloxicillin for the rest of her life.

    My point is she went public, and there are only a few orthopedic good surgeons in Melb. Now, because her condition was high-risk, and probably due to their stuff-up in the first place, she got the best surgeon to do the 2nd op. In an 80-yr-old this is very high risk, they said chance of not dying was like 10-15%. And we did not pay a cent.

    In comparison she had a private hospital cataract op 7 yrs ago, simple, very low-risk, and she has had nothing but problems with it since then.

  • craigoss on 14/01/2018 - 14:08

    I cancelled mine this year after having it for 13 years. The lower priced plans cover you for very little. I just got ambulance cover instead.

    • Xizor on 15/01/2018 - 16:38

      Do you pay higher medicare levy surcharge?

      • richmond12 on 31/01/2018 - 13:30

        Whats the medicare levy?

        • John Kimble on 01/02/2018 - 16:18

          Google "Medicare levy surcharge"

  • 12woo12 on 20/02/2018 - 19:39

    https://www.privatehealth.gov.au
    Unbiased government website with all the information you need, good search function

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