OJT Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 We are moving to Melbourne on a 457 visa in July. I have done extensive research on every aspect, however the one thing I cannot understand is how Dental Care is paid for? I have been looking at the various insurance providers and the extras they offer, however no one seems to offer anything like enough cover to actually pay for things like braces? (I read braces are about $6K, the most cover I can find is $1.2K Per Annum)? How is this handled? Also how does the LHC work? I was hoping to make do with Medicare but it seems we may have to get hospital cover anyway? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 2 hours ago, OJT said: however no one seems to offer anything like enough cover to actually pay for things like braces? (I read braces are about $6K, the most cover I can find is $1.2K Per Annum)? How is this handled? You have to pay the balance not paid by the fund. This is a useful tool covering all private health insurers (unlike some other comparison sites which are selective.: It's worth checking to ensure that you have found the best one for dental cover. https://www.canstar.com.au/health-insurance/ Information on LHC is here: http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/incentivessurcharges/lifetimehealthcover.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosiew Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Most people consider that it is not worth having insurance for braces. The cover is minimal (as you have seen) abd the waiting period to claim is at least a year. Given you are coming on a temp visa you may not have 12 months to waste! If you are going to rely on Medicare just be very clear about any limitations on that because of your visa status. Your orthodontist will offer a payment plan for the cost of braces - you are likely to pay monthly. Also factor in the almost inevitable removal of wisdom teeth when the braces come off - it is not covered by Medicare unless it is medically required. usually it is cosmetic as the aim is to avoid the growing wisdom teeth making the teeth crooked again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosseboy Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Yes ...dental care is expensive.....but we found it was getting that way in the UK and we had to have denplan. n the UK..........NHS dentists disappeared where we lived. But get as much done before you emigrate. We have extras 80% with Medibank and that helps with basic costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJT Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thanks for the great information, the whole healthcare thing seems so incredibly complicated. Oliver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 My son recently had his braces removed. It cost $8,000 however we paid as we went. I think we put a $500 deposit down then paid around $200 each visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Forgot to say we did claim on the insurance, our maximum was $900 but our orthodontist advised us to start in December and claim and then you can claim again in the new year which started January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fisheys Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 On 7 April 2017 at 4:40 PM, rosiew said: Most people consider that it is not worth having insurance for braces. The cover is minimal (as you have seen) abd the waiting period to claim is at least a year. Given you are coming on a temp visa you may not have 12 months to waste! If you are going to rely on Medicare just be very clear about any limitations on that because of your visa status. Your orthodontist will offer a payment plan for the cost of braces - you are likely to pay monthly. Also factor in the almost inevitable removal of wisdom teeth when the braces come off - it is not covered by Medicare unless it is medically required. usually it is cosmetic as the aim is to avoid the growing wisdom teeth making the teeth crooked again It's more complicated than that. The Cochrane Collaberation (summary of all research into the subject), say that in their view the impact of third molars in incisor crowding is a maximum of 1mm per arch. There are many causes of orthodontic relapse, but failure to remove third molars is not one of them. There is a considerable amount of controversy about this. Wisdom tooth removal is painful, unpleasant, and expensive. There are risks associated with it, the main one is parasthesia, and / or dysaesthesia of the inferior dental nerve, (the one numbed up for lower fillings / extractions). (ie permanent numb lip). Having said that, if wisdom teeth need removing it is best done whilst you are young, as the jaw gets a lot denser as you get older. Also if they are causing problems, repeated infections etc., or have associated pathology, again, they should be removed. It is also worth remembering you don't have to have all four out. Do some research yourselves, speak to an Oral Surgeon, and don't rush. Good luck. On 7 April 2017 at 4:40 PM, rosiew said: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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