Do you really need private health insurance? Here’s how to decide...

  • 📰 theage
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 59 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 27%
  • Publisher: 77%

Health Health Headlines News

Health Health Latest News,Health Health Headlines

How do you know if you really need to be paying for health insurance and, if so, what type of coverage? | OPINION by Jess_Irvine

One of the more bewildering aspects of being an adult is figuring out what type of insurances you need.

Private health insurance is a particularly difficult beast to tackle because governments have deliberately designed a complex array of “stick and carrot” incentives to try to force younger people into the system, to pay the premiums needed to cover the higher claim costs of older Australians. A higher surcharge of 1.25 per cent starts for singles at $105,001 and $210,001 for families; and a 1.5 per cent surcharge rate applies to singles earning $140,001 and above and families earning more than $280,001.

If our single earning $110,000 does this, not only are they effectively getting the insurance for “free”, they are also saving a couple of hundred dollars in tax – no brainer. Most accidents and emergencies are treated in the public system anyway. If, however, you particularly value a choice of doctor, hospital or the ability to bypass waiting lists for elective surgery procedures, you might consider private health insurance coverage for that.

Also, be careful with the hype around the “Lifetime Health Cover” loading. This kicks in at an extra 2 per cent added to your premium for every year after age 30 you wait to take out coverage.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 8. in HEALTH

Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Patients in health care limbo as Bupa and private hospital giant fight over feesA fallout between major health firms will make people question why they should bother with private insurance, according to a prominent health industry advocate. Its frustrating that Bupa does not give good coverage to every hospital, Dentist and other medical services. Private health cover was promoted to give patients choice, not to get lower costs at Bupa etc approved places Seems like it's time to leave Bupa if they are going to add more worries when someone is going thru a difficult time in a hospital. Time to leave BupaAustralia then
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

More than the Monday blues: Where to turn to when you’re struggling at workResources abound for those deciding whether to disclose a mental health condition at work.
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »