Punished...

[billybones]

Why are some of us being punished for working?
I like to think I work hard. I earn an income, not a lot but at least I still work and pay taxes.
However with my income I don`t think I could really afford decent private health cover.

Now the problem I have is this, I need to see a specialist and am now on the waiting list.
If anybody happens to know a gastroenterologist that bulk bills could they please send me a P.M.

If I happened to be unemployed I know of a couple that do but because I work, they feel I can afford their fees...

 

[HappyPirate]

Ahoy;- I am just like you BillyBones and I cannot afford private health cover, it is costly.
I hate to think what the top rate for a couple/family would cost per year. My guess $4000-$5000
Cheers and Pass the Rum

 

[johnlou]

1-04 every year the cost of private insurance goes up around 10%, does your wages go up with it ??

 

[Madam Tracey]

Medibank Private increases its premiums again this month. You seem to pay more and get less. Maybe its just me but you seem to pay 3 times.....You pay the medicare tax levy, you pay for private health insurance and then when you see a specialist you end up paying a gap fee..... because they all charge more than the scheduled fee.

 

[svengali]

I regard my private health insurance as an essential item. Sure, it costs plenty but you don't have to spend long in hospital or even a dentist's chair to get back more than a year's premiums.

Even if you are young and healthy there is no guarantee you won't have an accident, just ask that poor young rugby player who is now looking at life in a wheelchair.

 

[billybones]

Medibank Private increases its premiums again this month. You seem to pay more and get less. Maybe its just me but you seem to pay 3 times.....You pay the medicare tax levy, you pay for private health insurance and then when you see a specialist you end up paying a gap fee..... because they all charge more than the scheduled fee.

You mention the medicare levy...
For about 5 years I think I only saw the doctor once every year. Why can`t some of the levy I paid be put towards what I`m being asked to pay now?

 

[Lingham]

You mention the medicare levy...
For about 5 years I think I only saw the doctor once every year. Why can`t some of the levy I paid be put towards what I`m being asked to pay now?

In essence it is an insurance scheme, BB, and the levy is the premium. Everybody pays in and those that need help get it, but there are no 'no claims' bonuses.

 

[Miss Chloe]

Yes I agree, it is expensive whichever way you go! No wonder so many people choose to stay unemployed!
And I'm not assuming, I know a few people who have made this choice!

 

[homer]

We're all monkeys working for peanuts.

 

[Madam Tracey]

Like most insurance it works on the Fear of what if......
It would be an interesting calculation to see what the average person pays in premiums VS claims over a life time.
Now the Government looks like it is going to sell off Medicare to reduce the countrys debt.
So once it is privatised it will be interesting to see how much we all pay and what level of service is provided.
I shall try to remain optimistic.

 

[suzythefloozy]

Medibank Private increases its premiums again this month. You seem to pay more and get less. Maybe its just me but you seem to pay 3 times.....You pay the medicare tax levy, you pay for private health insurance and then when you see a specialist you end up paying a gap fee..... because they all charge more than the scheduled fee.

I think it depends on which health fund you're with. I don't think it's changed but HBF has an agreement with 90% of surgeons (so they say) who agree to the scheduled fee. If you select one of those, you're fine and don't pay anything.

That being said, I'm amazed at the number of doctors (i.e. GPs) who charge a lot beyond the medicare supplement. I can't help but think it's greed at work - sure, the patient's paying for expertise, overheads etc but I think the fees they charge sometimes are way overhead. My GP at least is decent enough to charge only medicare for the unemployed and pensioners.

 

[Thatguy]

I guess it depends on your situation..

currently I pay just for myself so the charge for private health insurance is still cheaper than the medicare surcharge I would have to pay if I didn't have it..

 

[fordman]

Tracy, I would dump medibank and get hbf. According to my dentist brother, medibank is worst health insurance out there.

I think the govt is going, they are going to sell and cut everything back.

 

[Ms Sue]

We are with Bupa and have used it twice in the last 10 years however I am sure if we dropped it we would need it.....Yes it is very expensive however it gives us piece of mind of which doctor or hospital that we would go to .....
Ms Sue

 

[fordman]

I agree. Its good to have the choice and not to have to wait on public waiting list. Also its quite good for dental work and if you wear glasses.

 

[suzythefloozy]

The thing is that in most countries, almost 70 to 80% of the health budget is spent on approximately 15% of the population. And that 15% are aged from 61 and above. The human body deteriorates rapidly after 60. And the operations that come with it are not cheap. A hip replacement, a heart bypass, a knee reconstruction - all of these can cost in the region of $70,000! And THAT'S when you're grateful about paying your premiums.

The public system, if you've a hip ailments sometimes means waiting for a year or so while you're in agony. And that's NOW. Remember the baby boomers are retiring to the queue will get longer if you don't have health insurance. NO company makes humongous profits (if at all) from health insurance and that's why so many diversify into property, car insurance and the like. That's where they make more money.

Two years ago, the first cohort of baby boomers in Australia retired. That means that from now on, the tax base is shrinking while government provided amenity use and their bills will just blow a hole through the ozone layer. Believe me billybones, it's a tough one. I sympathize.