Private Health Recommendations for 2021?

georgegeorge31 on 31/07/2021 - 15:25
Last edited 05/08/2021 - 08:12

I’ve been out of country for a few years and want to restart private health when I get back (if I make it back).

I think I’m okay with Bronze or Silver hospital but need decent extras as Physio, massage, dental and optical are things I really make use of.

Before I left I was with myOWN (who provided AIA Vitality) but they since have closed access for new members and it seems AIA are selling their own coverage directly. Is anyone using them?

There’s so many insurers now, I have no clue who is who lol.

Is there any insurer you recommend? Either for value, price, ease of use etc?

Thanks in advance!

UPDATE:
I have been doing some serious diving into PDS' and looking at what has the best value and surprisingly found that AIA's Silver Hospital Classic and Standard Extras With AIA Vitality or Bronze Plus Hospital Everyday and Standard Extras with AIA Vitality offerings were best if you were wanting AIA and would be able to maximise it. This is because obtaining silver status (extremely easy) refunds your hospital excess, gets you 5% discount on premiums, plus an extra 10% refund on extras. That doesn't even include the vouchers and gym discounts associated with AIA.

If you aren't much for the AIA route then BUPA seems to be the best with their Silver Plus Essential Hospital with Your Choice Extras 60 offering - mainly because BUPA offer loyalty bonuses for their extras. So the longer you stay with them, the higher your extras limits are.

For me I wanted to include joint replacement where possible, and decent allowances for physio, dental, optical and RMT.

Definitely dive into the PDS' yourself to make sure for yourself but this is probably my options to choose from now.

Health & Beauty Health Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • screensaver on 31/07/2021 - 15:54

    I was with AIA but I change providers regularly to get the sign up bonuses. Their price rise was pretty steep in this years increase, I noticed medibank price rise was much less steep.

    • georgegeorge31 on 31/07/2021 - 15:56

      Ahh interesting! Did you forfeit vitality? Or do you get it through another means?

      • screensaver on 31/07/2021 - 16:16

        I purchased before the price rise, had it for 3 months and switched to another fund for regular sign up bonuses I didnt use the vitality section because I dont have mobile, but there were cash bonuses to be had there (points for gift cards)

  • deme on 31/07/2021 - 18:28
    +1

    https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/health/compare

    Q: But I don't want to sign up.
    A: The min cost is $27, you'll be spending wayyyyy more than than on Health Insurance

  • BeamMeUp on 31/07/2021 - 19:39

    If your after Silverish Hosp and reasonable extras cover hold your breath for the pain your wallet is about to endure. I did a forensic on our cover recently aiming to reduce the eye watering cost we were paying on top extras. I wanted reasonable dental cover, with physio and massage. Ended up with AHM. You really need to check the breakdowns of what they pay on, limits and pays an ok amount back.

    • georgegeorge31 on 01/08/2021 - 18:01

      Yeah it’s the limits that are so shit these days. I can’t believe it as I’m looking!

  • crzy01 on 02/08/2021 - 16:04

    NIB is poor value IMO. According to my Physio and specialist they provide some of the lowest rebates to the provider and only provide a no gap option.

    So if you have a procedure and your surgeon goes even 1 dollar over whatever NIB set as the rebate, they won’t even honour the no gap rebate level and it goes down to 75% of the Medicare schedule - suddenly a few hundred out of pocket - kind specialist who realising this agreed to lower their fee but I imagine that’s a rarity.

    Other funds provide a “known gap” option which means your rebate is still close to the higher no gap level rebate. The effect is the out of pocket gap is lower.

    YMMV but we’ve since avoided NIB and funds that only do a no gap option. It’s marketing bs and really ends up costing the patient more.

    • georgegeorge31 on 03/08/2021 - 04:52

      I used to be with NIB for years and was advised to leave them as well by quite a few health professionals who directed me to quite a few legal issued with the fund. I 1000% will not be looking at NIB ever again!!! But how horrid is it that they still exist? This is what is scaring me about choosing a fund.

      • crzy01 on 03/08/2021 - 16:42

        Defence is meant to be good (maybe the best?) if you can get in. Doctors health fund - again eligibility might be an issue. Know quite a few people with BUPA - meant to be good depending on the level of cover.
        Most of my family is with CBHS (family member used to work for CBA)

        • georgegeorge31 on 05/08/2021 - 05:48

          Oh the dream to get into one of the restricted funds…

          • screensaver on 06/08/2021 - 05:45

            @georgegeorge31: my grandfather fought for the AIF in WW1 so I can, but you dont need to. They are part of an alliance and these include health partners, westfund and queensland country health, all 3 of whom I really like. I am with westfund currently

  • screensaver on 06/08/2021 - 06:13

    Heres the alliance https://membershealth.com.au/

    • georgegeorge31 on 09/08/2021 - 13:13

      I hate to say it but most members own funds had horrible plans.
      I guess it depends what you need but it was my genuine goal to go with one of those.

      • screensaver on 09/08/2021 - 13:15

        I found some excellent ones and am in one now, real good value and I have seen 2 other good value ones too, not with defence. I will go with the other 2 plans I found next.

        • georgegeorge31 on 10/08/2021 - 13:00

          Could I ask which ones? I didn’t see anything spectacular :(

  • screensaver on 10/08/2021 - 13:06

    Heres one Bronze Hospital Plus, just 20.58 a week and look at the inclusions, plus no excess for accidents, and automatic upgrade to the highest level of cover in the event of an accident

    https://www.healthpartners.com.au/quote/hp-6111ec9ca617b4.54…

  • screensaver on 10/08/2021 - 13:14

    And thisi Vital Hospital Bronze which includes rehab and back, neck and spine for 23.87 a week, spectacular value
    https://www.queenslandcountry.health/cover-selector/?adjustR…
    Probably the best value in the country

  • screensaver on 10/08/2021 - 13:22

    This is what I am with now, Silver, no excess for kids or for accident, covers rehab, heart, back, neck, spine, 24.30 a week, even better because it includes heart,
    https://www.westfund.com.au/health-insurance/?CoverType=sing…
    I doubt you would get better anywhere for price and inclusions

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