homer911 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Hey everyone, just looking for some onfo on the above. We have bupa health insurance and we also have a reciprical agreement with medicare. Are we wasting our money? I have tried to search for info online about what i am entitled to with the reciprical agreement but couldnt finf much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 IT depends on a lot of factors. Including how much you earn as high earners are slugged with a tax if they don't have insurance. We had the top of the range insurance for a long time and recently dropped the hospital cover as Medicare covers it. Only issue would be waiting lists as some none urgent procedures can have long wait times on Medicare. We have kept cover for dental, optical and ambulance. Some states ambulances are free. But some aren't and WA it is hundreds and maybe thousands if you use an ambulance. Dental is not covered by Medicare and is incredibly expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Dental is not covered by Medicare and is incredibly expensive. This is true, but the rebates you get through insurance are risible. You might get 60% of out of pocket expenses up to a maximum of $500 - but the treatment costs $5000. Many people who need major dental work will go overseas to Thailand, Malaysia or India where the costs are lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Paid $180 for a filling this week. Not sure if that would be expensive or not if compared to UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phenol Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Sounds about the same in all honesty. Just to see an out of hours dentist will set you back £120 minimum. Having 2 wisdom teeth removed "on the NHS" 3 years ago cost £130 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 We don't have cover, just save it and budget for health. Most stuff is free on Medicare. I just had x rays and scans on an injured shoulder no waiting and free, will get the report tomorrow, yes Saturday. Can't argue with that. dont even have ambo cover. Have never needed one in 59+ years so even if I have to pay now I am in pocket. You do need to save the money you would spend on premiums though. It seems to me people with private cover still pay for treatment I get for free. Go figure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homer911 Posted July 19, 2015 Author Share Posted July 19, 2015 Thanks guys appreciate the info. I was thinking the same. Most is covered by medicare just longer wait times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 The wait times aren't always massively longer. I had to see a consultant a few years back before an op. Private I'd have had to wait a week, on Medicare it was 10 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 dont even have ambo cover. Have never needed one in 59+ years so even if I have to pay now I am in pocket. The flaw in the plan is if you ever need to be airlifted by chopper -- costs considerably more than an ambulance.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homer911 Posted July 19, 2015 Author Share Posted July 19, 2015 The flaw in the plan is if you ever need to be airlifted by chopper -- costs considerably more than an ambulance.. Valid point!! Its the rare occurrances that may happen. Slim chances but can happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave53 Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Valid point!! Its the rare occurrances that may happen. Slim chances but can happen. I can't vouch for other states , however , in NSW all hospital to hospital transfers whether by road ambulance or by air are free to the patient ... Transports from homes or accident sites are another issue though. Dave C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Dental for us is worth having insurance. We pay $65 a month for extras - dental, optical, ambulance and a few other bits. For that, we get two check ups at the dentist with no out of pocket costs per year. We get back 60% of general dental costs up to $1000 and 60% back of major dental up to $5000. Given that a crown recently totalled $5k that is a good chunk back. I have aver had to use an ambulance and it was $700 for a very short trip with no treatment. I get back 100% of any ambulance costs with no cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachy Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Hi very stormy I am currently looking into dental and optical for 2 adults and 2 kids. Do you mind saying who you have gone with. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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