ruddy2000 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Hey guys, Just looking for opinions/Advice I am a British National currently on a 4 Year 457 work visa. I have numerous things I have been carrying with me for a while with regards to health issues and have not been able to get home to have them sorted out. One is possibly an operation I will eventually need on my nose, due to being unable to breath thorough it thanks to a deformed septum which requires surgery, the other is a serious stomach issue that I need a colonoscopy for to find out exactly what is wrong. I am so desperate to get these fixed as they are both currently making my life a living hell. I have the standard Reciprocal Medicare Card which says "Visitor" which I am assuming only helps me a little with Doctors fee's etc so my question is two parts. Firstly if I pay top dollar and get individual private Insurance, how much difference cost-wise would this help when I go to attempt to rectify the problems explained above? (I mean who private health care actually cover for say the colonoscopy or help with the cost of the op for my nose) and secondly, If so which Private Health Care fund comes highly recommended in your opinion? (ie, Upgrade Medicare, Bupa, Etc) Can anyone give some sound advice on what I should do? Cheers in advance, for any advice given! Ruddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fisheys Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I have a horrible feeling that pre existing conditions are not covered straight away with private medical insurance. I would speak to Medicare, see exactly what they will cover, then get the problem with the stomach diagnosed and treated, and get the nasal operation if you need that as well, then effect adequate private insurance so this does not happen to you again. I think it is a requirement of 457 visa to hold adequate medical insurance, so tread carefully, good luck, and let's hope yours does not become a cautionary tale. We use IMAN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I have private health insurance now but there was a long period of time when our family did not have it. During the time both my oh and myself had a colonoscopy each a few times as they use it here for screening for bowell cancer. We just paid for it and it cost us about $500.00 for the procedure. Then medicare GP fee was all that was needed. If you take out health insurance it only covers use of the hospital and its operating theatres etc. All medical procedures are handled by medicare so for a colonoscopy you would still have to pay the doctor and anaesthetist. You can take gap cover and this helps with the gap fees. I had an operation that was not covered by medicare and my fund took care of the hospital costs and I paid the surgeons and anaesthetist fees which were about five thousand dollars. I had my knee replaced and medicare did cover some of the specialits fees but I was still out of pocket over three thousand dollars and if you include my premiums of two and a half grand a year then its expensive. When you take out the insurance you cannot use it for two months for any new health problems. If you have pre-existing health problems then you need to be in the fund for a full 12 months before they will cover any costs. That is why its best if female and wanting to have private care, its best to take it out before becoming pregnant. There is an I select site which you can put your details in and it will recommend the best fund and cost for you. I have top cover and still have to dip into my pocket due to the gap fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fisheys Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Just checked my 457 visa, which has the condition on that I must hold adequate private medical insurance. They do apparently differ. My worry here is if you "alert" the authorities here will it affect your visa? Without knowing your circumstances, I think probably your best move is to effect PMI ASAP with IMAN. Again, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruddy2000 Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Just checked my 457 visa, which has the condition on that I must hold adequate private medical insurance.They do apparently differ. My worry here is if you "alert" the authorities here will it affect your visa? Without knowing your circumstances, I think probably your best move is to effect PMI ASAP with IMAN. Again, good luck. Hey Guys, Thanks so much for each bit advice. Just to clear something up though I do have the standard Medicare cover and this is sufficient for a 457 Visa or at least that is what I was told during my application. My problem is that this doesn't cover things in excess but I am now getting the feeling that even if I upgrade my Healthcare it still wouldn't make much difference taking into consideration the things I require. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lianinoz Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Private health insurance has a 12mth waiting period for pre existing conditions. If all you have is a recipricol medicare card all that it covers as far as I am aware is urgent care ie emergency room. As a health insurance employee, covers for people that don't have PR does cover a fair range of services and in some instances is even better then PR products. That my personal view anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Hey guys, Just looking for opinions/Advice I am a British National currently on a 4 Year 457 work visa. I have numerous things I have been carrying with me for a while with regards to health issues and have not been able to get home to have them sorted out. One is possibly an operation I will eventually need on my nose, due to being unable to breath thorough it thanks to a deformed septum which requires surgery, the other is a serious stomach issue that I need a colonoscopy for to find out exactly what is wrong. I am so desperate to get these fixed as they are both currently making my life a living hell. I have the standard Reciprocal Medicare Card which says "Visitor" which I am assuming only helps me a little with Doctors fee's etc so my question is two parts. Firstly if I pay top dollar and get individual private Insurance, how much difference cost-wise would this help when I go to attempt to rectify the problems explained above? (I mean who private health care actually cover for say the colonoscopy or help with the cost of the op for my nose) and secondly, If so which Private Health Care fund comes highly recommended in your opinion? (ie, Upgrade Medicare, Bupa, Etc) Can anyone give some sound advice on what I should do? I have regular colonoscopies - they cost me about the same now as they did when I didn't have health insurance, because my doctor charges a reduced rate for uninsured patients. Don't assume doctors in the private system are better than in the public system - I've had a few experiences of being treated for a similar condition in both sectors, and the doctors in the public system actually seemed more knowledgeable! So I'd say, go and get the colonoscopy and just pay for it. Your nose could be an expensive op and involve plastic surgery. As others have said, private insurance doesn't cover everything, you'll still be out of pocket. I had a major spinal operation last year - a five hour op followed by a hospital stay, including a while in intensive care. All up it cost $35,000. Health insurance only paid $25,000, so I still had to find $10,000. So it wont be cheap whatever you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina2 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) we have top cover with HCF but about to drop it to lower rate as it is just to expencive when you consider what they cover. If you go public it is free under medicare but not sure about your situation and there is a very long wait list, some times 3 years just to see a specialist. Think your best bet is to ring some of the health funds but as others have said for pre existing there is a 12 month wait. With the nose you might even look at going to thailand sounds crazy i know but a lot of people are going over there as the cost of medical services is far cheaper, just a thought. http://www.intlmedical-getaways.com lots of other companies just doa google search Edited January 24, 2014 by Tina2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.