Australian Politics Forum - Check your Medical Insurance Cover

Bobby.

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Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Dec 7^th, 2018 at 4:12am

My next door neighbor has had a nightmare with their hospital insurance provider.
They need a knee & a hip replacement & in the fine print
of their insurance they're not covered.
They could be left out of pocket for $30K or more and they have no savings.

I checked mine & it seems I am reasonably covered.
Here is a screen shot of my BUPA policy.
It's worth checking your own policy as you could be paying big bucks for rubbish.

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BUPA_Hospital_Cover.jpg (110 KB | )

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Captain Nemo

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #1 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

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Bobby.

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #2 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:33am

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am:

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

But for most people if you don't have private health cover
you pay anyway with more tax.

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greggerypeccary

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #3 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:35am

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:33am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am:

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

But for most people if you don't have private health cover
you pay anyway with more tax.

Most people?

It's only those who earn over $90,000, isn't it?

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Captain Nemo Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 8428 Melbourne Gender:	Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover Reply #4 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:38am Those with private cover still pay the "standard" Medicare Levy too. Medicare gives Australian residents access to health care. It is partly funded by the Medicare levy, which is 2% of your taxable income. You pay a Medicare levy in addition to the tax you pay on your taxable income.
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Gordon Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 20223 Gordon Gender:	Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover Reply #5 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:41am Private insurance is a total con. Better to self insure, invest the money and go to Thailand's best hospitals if required.
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Captain Nemo Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 8428 Melbourne Gender:	Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover Reply #6 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am Yikes! I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment. No offence to the people of Thailand.
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Gordon Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 20223 Gordon Gender:	Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover Reply #7 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:45am Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am: Yikes! I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment. No offence to the people of Thailand. Not a public chop shop. This is first class. https://www.bumrungrad.com
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Captain Nemo

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #8 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:50am

Gordon wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:45am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

Not a public chop shop. This is first class.

https://www.bumrungrad.com

Looks nice but I have my reservations.

(Actually, I won't be making a reservation.)

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Bobby.

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #9 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:38am

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:35am:

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:33am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am:

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

But for most people if you don't have private health cover
you pay anyway with more tax.

Most people?

It's only those who earn over $90,000, isn't it?

I think it's $50,000.

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greggerypeccary

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #10 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:40am

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:38am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:35am:

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:33am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am:

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

But for most people if you don't have private health cover
you pay anyway with more tax.

Most people?

It's only those who earn over $90,000, isn't it?

I think it's $50,000.

Nah, there's no way it's that low.

Ah! - here we go:

"The base income threshold (under which you are not liable to pay the MLS) is $90,000 for singles and $180,000 for families."

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/medicare-levy/medicare-levy-surcharge/

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Laugh till you cry

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #11 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:47am

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

I have had a number of surgeries in Thailand and the treatment was professional by English-speaking doctors.

Most of the English-speaking doctors have had training and education in Australia and USA.

On one occasion, a Thai doctor instantly diagnosed a condition from description of the symptoms that doctors in Perth and several days of tests in Perth main hospitals failed to diagnose 5 years earlier.

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Please don't thank me. Effusive fawning and obeisance of disciples, mendicants, and foot-kissers embarrass me.

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Bobby.

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #12 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:49am

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:40am:

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:38am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:35am:

Bobby. wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:33am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:22am:

I took the decision some 30 years ago to invest the money I would have spent on Health Insurance into shares instead.

Over the years, saving the money that would have gone up in smoke on private cover and receiving dividends from my shares as well.

I reckon I have come out on top.

Mind you, it was a gamble.

In the event of an emergency health issue, it makes no difference if you have private cover or not anyway.

The only real advantage is for elective surgery and some discount on items such as spectacles.

Something to ponder.

But for most people if you don't have private health cover
you pay anyway with more tax.

Most people?

It's only those who earn over $90,000, isn't it?

I think it's $50,000.

Nah, there's no way it's that low.

Ah! - here we go:

"The base income threshold (under which you are not liable to pay the MLS) is $90,000 for singles and $180,000 for families."

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/medicare-levy/medicare-levy-surcharge/

Thanks - I think it used to be much lower.

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Captain Nemo

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #13 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 1:11pm

Laugh till you cry wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:47am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

I have had a number of surgeries in Thailand and the treatment was professional by English-speaking doctors.

Most of the English-speaking doctors have had training and education in Australia and USA.

On one occasion, a Thai doctor instantly diagnosed a condition from description of the symptoms that doctors in Perth and several days of tests in Perth main hospitals failed to diagnose 5 years earlier.

Fair enough, I might need to revise my opinion.

I'm not sure if it was Thailand or somewhere else that I saw some horror stories of cosmetic surgery gone wrong.

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The 2025 election could be a shocker.

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Bobby.

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #14 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 6:29pm

Laugh till you cry wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:47am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

I have had a number of surgeries in Thailand and the treatment was professional by English-speaking doctors.

Most of the English-speaking doctors have had training and education in Australia and USA.

On one occasion, a Thai doctor instantly diagnosed a condition from description of the symptoms that doctors in Perth and several days of tests in Perth main hospitals failed to diagnose 5 years earlier.

Surgery - gender reassignment?

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Gordon

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #15 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 6:51pm

Laugh till you cry wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:47am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

I have had a number of surgeries in Thailand and the treatment was professional by English-speaking doctors.

Most of the English-speaking doctors have had training and education in Australia and USA.

On one occasion, a Thai doctor instantly diagnosed a condition from description of the symptoms that doctors in Perth and several days of tests in Perth main hospitals failed to diagnose 5 years earlier.

Bumrungrad hospital in BKK would be better in just about every way then most Australian hospitals.

Health care in Thailand is actually pretty good, even the public system.

I ended up in a small provincial clinic and while the lodgings were 'basic' the medical care was perfect.

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Bobby.

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Re: Check your Medical Insurance Cover
Reply #16 - Dec 7^th, 2018 at 8:40pm

Gordon wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 6:51pm:

Laugh till you cry wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 11:47am:

Captain Nemo wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 9:42am:

Yikes!

I wouldn't advise going to Thailand for medical treatment*.

*No offence to the people of Thailand.

I have had a number of surgeries in Thailand and the treatment was professional by English-speaking doctors.

Most of the English-speaking doctors have had training and education in Australia and USA.

On one occasion, a Thai doctor instantly diagnosed a condition from description of the symptoms that doctors in Perth and several days of tests in Perth main hospitals failed to diagnose 5 years earlier.

Bumrungrad hospital in BKK would be better in just about every way then most Australian hospitals.

Health care in Thailand is actually pretty good, even the public system.

I ended up in a small provincial clinic and while the lodgings were 'basic' the medical care was perfect.

The fact is we nearly all pay the medicare levy and private health insurance and
yet many people are still having to go to Thailand to get help.

You shouldn't have to pay twice for something.

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