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6 Weeks Free after 30 Days, 60,000 Bonus Woolworths Rewards Points (Worth $300), 2- & 6-Month Waiting Period Waived @ Bupa

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First post please be gentle :)

Up to 10 weeks free on eligible hospital and extras products (6 weeks free after 30 days plus 4 weeks free after 13 months) + $300 worth Everyday Rewards dollars (on third month) + 2 & 6 month waits waived on extras (from join date).

If my understanding is right, for most profit you keep policy for 72-90 days then cancel where you get everything above except the 4 weeks free.

Eligibility can be seen on https://www.bupa.com.au/campaigns/health-insurance/ten-weeks… but in summary must not held Bupa health insurance in the last 12 months prior to join date, for policy commences by 30/07/2023 and provide BUPA with everyday rewards membership number within 30 days of joining.

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  • +7

    Many health funds are offering several weeks free including waiver of waiting periods, especially now that we’re close to financial year end.

    I wonder if it’s common for people to move health fund regularly, just like how we might change electricity retailers or NBN retailers regularly?

    • +22

      I change every year for the points/bonuses.

      Waiting periods already served are carried over.

      Administrative burden of switching is on the new fund, the move your old policy over and close it automatically. Great system.

      • Didn't know cheers

      • +3

        It's nice you are keeping someone busy, lol.

      • New to private health - so let's say I've had my policy at company A for a year and decide to move to company B, I don't need to wait 2 months before I can claim on optical?

        Wouldn't this mean that waiting periods only ever apply to people who have never had private/extras?

        • +3

          That's right. If you already have cover for the same thing (in this case optical) at the same level, then any waiting periods you have served carry over. Same thing for hospital cover.

          One thing to note is any amount you have claimed also carries over - so if you've already used $100 worth of optical in this calendar year, and you switch to a new fund, then you don't get a whole new limit to claim on, that $100 is still used.

          Source: I used to work selling health insurance many moons ago

          • +2

            @Birdseye: Some operate on anniversary not calendar year so can actually work in your advantage if you have used up your quota and move to a different provider (in the case of Bupa to ahm).

            • @G-rig: Ah okay I didn't know that, I thought they were all calendar year. I'll keep that in mind

          • +1

            @Birdseye: Thanks Birdseye that's helpful. I only had hospital cover so the waiting period waiver is worth for me. I'll probably keep extras for 3 months to get the $300 then go back to hospital cover only (medicare surcharge).

            • @Rockking: Depends if you use optical and dental or not, that's well worth it personally.

              • @G-rig: Yep to both. Their dental is 100% back. Might throw in some remedial massages too however struggling to search online for one that say they accept Bupa.

          • @Birdseye: @Birdseye Does this mean Company A would transfer your records and claims info to Company B?

            • +1

              @ThePasserby: Yep, when you sign up they get a certificate of transfer or something like that from your old provider, it lists everything they would need to know including claims history. You can authorise them to do it on your behalf, which is easier than you chasing it up yourself.

          • @Birdseye: Thanks for the info. So as remedial massage?

      • This is what i should have done for years ago. There's no reward for loyal customers. I generally churn credit cards, energy providers and mortgage and other insurance providers. Rookie mistake not doing on Health Insurance.

      • I change it every half year, because I’m eligible for some of private insurance companies (mostly none for profit ones) that have benefits reset on 1st of July rather than 1st of Jan, which I can make most out of them.

        • Which ones reset on 1st July?

          • +1

            @Commenter: Defence Health, Navy Health, Onemedifund and Peoplecare Health insurance.

  • time to change health funds

  • +18

    of course, but keep track of everything. I just had Medibank pull a stunt on me, I transferred from Bupa and there was a one day gap in payment, they tried to make me lose 4 years of paying off a loading and start from the beginning again and pay loading for another 10 years. Was a hell of a job to sort it out and I lost my peace of mind. I got private health insurance for peace of mind, but lost it with them. Keep a close eye on your policy

    • So you need to overlap a new policy to be safe?

      • +2

        no, but the days have to line up, especially if you have used up all the free days allowed. And dont expect them to tell you, on the contrary. they withheld it from me even when I asked what was going on They stayed silent and I had to demand someone to speak to me

        • +1

          Can you please elaborate on what you mean by “used up all the free days allowed”?

          • +6

            @delfredo: You're allowed to miss 1094 days of private health (for overlaps like this) before loading kicks in

            • @xsacha: Wait.. can you please explain this a bit more? 1094 days means 3 years. So you get a health insurance, miss 3 years then get another one.. rinse and repeat. After 10 years you only have to have 3 insurance policies!?

              • +2

                @npnp: it's a lifetime limit

                • @supperman: Okay, then does that mean that I only need to have 7 years worth health insurance policies out of 10 years (with the aforementioned 3 years gap somewhere in the middle) to have my loading removed? Thanks

                  • +6

                    @npnp: Not quite how it works. Once you turn 30 (well I think actually 31), the clock start ticking on Lifetime Healthcare Loading (or whatever the exact name is). For every year you go without hospital cover, you pay a 2% loading on premiums. This loading cannot be removed not matter what you do.

                    As long as you have hospital cover by the time you turn 31, and hold it for at least 12 consecutive months from that date, then you can have a total, cumulative break without cover of up to 1094 days during your entire life, without loading applying.

                    So if you hold cover for 7 out of 10 years, that's fine to do once only. After that you need to hold hospital cover all the time to avoid beginning to accrue loading.

                    And remember, you need hospital cover to avoid loading (and also to avoid Medicare Levy Surcharge). Extras cover only does not count for this.

                    • @Birdseye: what if you don't have cover from 31 but from 33? Is there a way around this to not pay the 'Lifetime Healthcare Loading'?

                      • @bawlingonabudget: Let's say you didn't have a health insurance by 31. So you end up paying the loading. But you will stop paying the loading once you have had a health insurance (with loading) for 10 years. My question is, if you had health cover for 7 years, and then have a break for 3 years, does that mean you have effectively served the 10 year requirement to have the loading removed for life?

                        • @npnp: No, that's not how it works. There is no 10 year requirement to have loading removed (or certainly not that I'm aware of). Once you've got loading, you've got it. 2% per year for every year you didn't have cover after the age of 31. Getting insurance after that will prevent you from getting more laoding, but it won't remove the loading you already have, no matter how long you hold it for.

                          The worst calls I used to get were people in their 50s or 60s who really needed cover now, but didn't sign up before lifetime loading started to apply. You'd have to tell them that the price was actually 40-60% more than what they thought (I believe most calculators online now apply loading to your quote, that's why they ask your age)

                          • +4

                            @Birdseye: Incorrect, please see ATO link below. You just have to pay for the loading for 10 years then it'll be zero afterwards.
                            https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-heal…

                          • @Birdseye: The worst calls I used to get were people in their 50s or 60s who really needed cover now, but didn't sign up before lifetime loading started to apply. You'd have to tell them that the price was actually 40-60% more than what they thought (I believe most calculators online now apply loading to your quote, that's why they ask your age)

                            The thing is if you invested the money, you would be fine.

                            • +1

                              @Stopback: You absolutely would be, but who does that? Clearly not the people I was talking to.

                              Probably the best 'hack' such as it is, is that health insurers in Australia can't reject covering pre-existing conditions - it's just a 12 month waiting period. Which isnt much fun if you are in a lot of pain, but is a hell of a lot better than the often 4 to 6 year waits in the public system for things like hip replacements etc.

                      • -3

                        @bawlingonabudget: Nope, you will have loading for life. Though if you take it up by 33, you will only have like 4-6% (depending on timing).

                        • +3

                          @Birdseye: Loading isn't for life according to ATO explanation below. You just have to hold the hospital cover for 10 years with loading then it'll be zero then onwards.
                          https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Medicare-and-private-heal…

                          • +1

                            @npnp: You are both right, I stand corrected. I'm fairly sure that must have been a change made after LHC was originally introduced, as back in 2006 when I was selling insurance we certainly were told there was no way for loading to be removed. Good to know anyway if I decide to drop my cover

                            • @Birdseye: how can I check what my current loading % is and when I will stop paying it?

                              another question to that is - if I'm paying loading now, is there any point in taking this health cover to avoid the loading?

                              • @bawlingonabudget: If you have health insurance now, then your provider will know what your current loading is.
                                I don't know how to find out when you will stop paying it as I only just found out it dissapears after 10 years continuous coverage, but I'm guessing you just find out when you joined and work out how long you've got to go to reach ten years.
                                As for taking out health cover if you've already got loading, the benefit is that then your loading freezes at that level. So if you take cover out at 37 when you have 12 or 14% loading, then it will stay at 10 or 14% (until you drop cover again for more than 3 years). If you don't take out cover, then the loading will keep ticking up by another 2% every year.

                                • @Birdseye: appreciate the response and insight - I can't help but feel this loading is such a scam from the private sector who lobbied the government.

                          • @npnp: yes and no. Once I have served 10 years in loading jail, it will be removed, but then, if I stop cover for even one day, the same loading will apply again, so I have to keep continuous cover for life. I dont have any free days left

                            • @screensaver: But that would be for anyone right? Even for a person who's had insurance forever without any loading, the day that he stopped having one, the loading will start kick in. No difference to someone who didn't have one initially, then decided to get one, serve 10 years loading 'jail', then get insurance with no loading. Both are in the same boat if the insurance isn't continuous.

                              • @npnp: no if hes had insurance for 12 months from 31, he has 3 years of free days. I started cover when the new rules came into effect 20 years ago, paid for 7 years then stopped for 12 years They subtracted the 3 years and charged me loading on the 9 years, which is 18%

            • @xsacha: This doesn't seem right, I was without cover for about 9 months a couple of years ago after having full cover since before I was 30 even and I'm nearly 40 now, they have charged me loading ever since

              • @groook: you have free days to use up (3 years) so you shouldnt be paying any loading

                • @screensaver: It seems there are confusions about how it works. To sum it up,

                  ** If you pass the 31 year old deadline without having an insurance, you will incur a loading but you can get out of this situation by simply having insurance with loading for 10 years continuously

                  ** If you have an insurance without loading (either after serving 10 year loading term above or having paid insurance before 31 years) then you are allowed to have up to 3 year brake without loosing zero loading status

                  Above first one I'm sure of but the second one I couldn't find any solid information. Could anyone please post a link to ATO for that? Thanks

    • +1

      Never an issue if you forget to pay your premium with bupa, sounds like you weren't covered at all in between but the new provider usually asks for your details and payment straight away on signing up.

  • i just signed up a week ago

    dont think i can cancel?

    • +2

      You can cancel at any time but if your cover has already started, you might not qualify for any promotion if you re-join within 12 months.

    • I think there's a 30 day cooling off period with health insurance, but that doesn't mean you'll be considered a new customer when re-joining.

      • +1

        sad life

        • Just yalk to them and see.if they can. Or threaten to leave

          • @U30004: I just did that with Medibank, and they wouldn't change promo codes for me, so I left 2 weeks after joining.

  • +20

    I just love how customer loyalty is no longer valued as these benefits are never available to existing members…

    • +3

      Never is never will be

    • +4

      Try a not for profit provider. I'm with one and they have given me free months several times without me even asking.

      • +1

        Which ones will you recommend? Not for profit

        • I only have experience with GMHBA which has been great in terms of coverage/price/customer service. There's a whole bunch of them though and I've not shopped around for a while… Frank looked decent as well when I was comparing providers a few years ago.

    • Actually, you can switch to BUPA and call your current health insurance provider and more often than not they will give you a better deal to get you back.

      • What time frames are we talking.
        Ie. Move to Bupa for how long before switching back?

        • I was with Medibank and I switched to Suncorp. After my Suncorp policy started I called Medibank on day 1 to 'cancel' it. They automatically put me to retention team even though I asked not to. But they offered me better inclusions with 6+6 weeks free so changed back to Medibank.

          • @OldSchoolHarry: Did you apply separately (apply to new and separately apply to leave) rather than apply to switch?

            • @delfredo: Now I applied to switch but they take a few days to get old policy cancelled so I called myself to cancel the old one immediately.

          • @OldSchoolHarry: Yeah it's not until you actually change that you try and get something for free to stay. It would be easier just asking them to start with.

          • @OldSchoolHarry: Cheers. How do you compare. The offerings are so different with BUPA compared to my existing.

            • @tunzafun001: Main things to look at are:
              Things covered
              Limits for each coverage
              Excess (if any)
              Monthly Premiums

      • +1

        Tried today with HBF against this bupa offer, they wouldn’t budge, I said thanks for making it easy to leave

        • HBF are giving back some money to all members. I’m not sure the exact amount, think a couple hundred dollars. They said sometime in June. I imagine they’re waiting until the end of the month to prevent members from switching. Just something to be mindful of if you do switch. I think you would miss out on the cash back.

          • @Ryder08: wont be much unless your are on the higher packages

            HBF will pay between $45 and $330 per eligible policy. The payment amount will depend on the membership type (e.g. Single, Parent Plus, Couple or Family), and the type of cover (e.g. Hospital and/or Extras) held on 1 March 2023.

            • +1

              @RogueWolf: Thanks mate. Might wait a few days to see if I can still get it and then switch before 30 June.

              • +1

                @Ryder08: doing the same lol

              • +1

                @Ryder08: Transferd to bupa today, forgot about the HBF cashback then just noticed $165 in my acc from HBF, a lot more then I thought will be

                • +1

                  @RogueWolf: nice! will keep an eye on it. i haven't received anything yet

                • +1

                  @RogueWolf: Just got it - $330 (family policy). Gives me a couple days to switch

    • Loyalty tax if you stay with any provider too long! I try compare most insurances and utilitiy providers upon annual renewal

  • +1

    Any other insurance provider i can sign up for benefits with? Im with Bupa already.

    • same! I believe Medibank does but not keen on them and would prefer a not for profit insurer

    • Australian unity got 6 weeks free

  • +13

    Please be careful signing up with Bupa, I work in healthcare and can tell you reliably that it is hated by all medical professionals as their cover always leaves people vulnerable when they need it as their coverage is awful. Not gonna neg the deal but please be aware and have an extremely thorough look at the policy if you're considering it.

    • Cheers

    • +4

      Any you'd recommend in particular then?

      • HCF, very happy with them, tried Bupa, Medibank and AHM before

    • +2

      Aren't hospital cover mostly the same as minimum cover for each level is defined by gov, keen to know what makes it so awful?

    • +3

      If you're healthy you can collect the benefits and churn. Great comment.

    • Not true.

      Depends on the level of cover and options selected, like all of them.

      • Agreed no issues using mine with Bupa for last 10 years.

        • Yes, can't complain at all. You have to make sure you're comparing the exact same levels of cover and extra as well, which isn't always easy. Claim periods can also differ (some are calendar year).

          A lot of companies also try and keep your business if you initiate moving away from them, just like electricity providers. Signed up to ahm once as it seemed like a better deal but wasn't really, and Bupa gave me an incentive to stay. Waste of time in the end and ahm got a data breach not long after..

          PS. I get a check up and clean at the dentist every 6 months, usually no gap..

  • +10

    Not sure how BUPA is, depends on the hospital network.

    I have researched a lot of companies, but I've stuck with a little known one. If you value extras, you need to check out Health Partners. I've nearly been with them for a year, so I will get my second batch of 4 weeks free soon. I live in Victoria.

    https://www.healthpartners.com.au/

    Get 8 weeks free and instant access to extras
    Join hospital and extras cover by June 30 and get 8 weeks free and skip all 2 month waits on extras. Use promo code 8WFREE when you join. Offer ends 30 June, 2023.

    If you like Chiro/Osteo/Physio Massage, you can also check out Mildura (5 star extras), TUH (comprehensive extras), Latrobe (Premier Extras), Peoplecare (high extras), HCF (Top 70%).

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