Rosa Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I'm still waiting for my Contrib. Parental 143 visa to come through, at least another 6 mths probably, but in the meantime I am doing more sums and trying to work out how much extra I might need to supplement Medicare. I am 70, very fit and well and rarely use a doctor. What is the point apart from ambulance cover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 The point for those in your age bracket - and I'm a 1947 vintage myself - is being able to avoid waiting lists for elective surgery and/or specialist consultations in public hospitals/outpatient clinics and being able to afford immediate attention in a private hospital. Obviously, for emergency/accident treatment you will be admitted to a public hospital anyway. Waiting times for elective surgery vary tremendously according to your location. So, really, it's a personal risk assessment of your own health, your location and your personal finances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 That was really helpful. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Also, dental and optical are not covered by medicare. Dental in particular can be VERY expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Yes that had occurred to me. I already pay a monthly dental insurance of £30 - is that comparable do you know, but I get free annual eye tests because of family glaucoma would that also be true in australia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 3 hours ago, Rosa said: Yes that had occurred to me. I already pay a monthly dental insurance of £30 - is that comparable do you know, but I get free annual eye tests because of family glaucoma would that also be true in australia? Eye tests are usually bulk billed but you may pay extra for some photography. You pay through the nose for lenses and frames as you do in UK. The other thing to bear in mind is that if you decide after having been in Aus for 12 months, you will be up for a very significant age loading (increase for every year you are over 31) with your premiums. If you sign up within the 12 months you avoid the age loading. Being in the older age group myself I have been immensely grateful not to have had to sit with a public hospital waiting list (18 months for a gall bladder removal?! I think not!!!). It's always an assessment of risk of course. You could, if you wanted, self insure - put your premiums in a separate dedicated account and see how you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Thats excellent advice, thanks so much. The ways I'm going to be financially worse off seem to be endless and with the rate of exchange it's just getting worse. Three years ago it all looked so much more hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 A lot of physio is not covered either. My recommendation would be sign up on arrival then see how you go for a year. You can always cancel if you think it's not worth it.As Quoll said doing it the other way round, waiting for a year before signing up is more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Thanks for that. This is all important information and I appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Davidson Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I've just got my visa and will be arriving in Melbourne in two weeks, so this info is very helpful. I am also grateful for everyone's input here. The point about not waiting for a year, and then getting loaded for it, is not something you'd ever guess would happen is it? Does anyone have any recommendations for a health insurance company? Cheers, see you in two weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Also can anyone give me a rough figure of what annual insurance for a 70 year old with no pre existing conditions might be? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Depends on your visa. Bupa.com.au has an on line calculator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosa Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 OK thanks will check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coblers Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 On 24/08/2017 at 06:36, Mick Davidson said: I've just got my visa and will be arriving in Melbourne in two weeks, so this info is very helpful. I am also grateful for everyone's input here. The point about not waiting for a year, and then getting loaded for it, is not something you'd ever guess would happen is it? Does anyone have any recommendations for a health insurance company? Cheers, see you in two weeks! Medibank Private for me, but you can swap from any once you have become familiar with the lay of the land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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