To have or not to have, that is the question

We have had two ids in the last two years and we have private health cover, but we went public patients as it didn't cost us anything. If there were any complications or emergencies, we would have been treated in the public hospital anyway, but had to pay for it. Our first was an emergency c-section and our second had massive internal bleeding. Epidurals were used for both births. I would shudder to think of the cost involved paying for it privately.

Seeya,

Roscoe.

We've got three, first one private, cost a bomb as you said, last two public, same hosp, dr and midwife, no charge! no comparison.

G'day D-Jack,

There's abit more too it than that. W've got 2 kids, first private and second public. As other's have said, if there are complications, you'll be transferred anyways. At least if you are public, you are already in the right place. You have to make sure you like the Dr though.

Also, consider that their is a rebate for Private health insurance if you earn 50k per year as a family (I think it's family, might be individual). It's not quite a rebate, more the fact that will pay more tax if you DON'T have insurance.

Also, the way they have structured it now, it's cheaper to stay in it than to join it, so you might want to way that up as well.

Finally, I HATE health insurance as it is a massive rort. BUT, we have decided that Private HOSPITAL and ambulance is a good idea as it is almost free anyway and at least if one of the kids gets very sick and has to stay in hospital, it is covered. Anciliary is the biggest WOFTAM that I have ever seen (IMHO). You pay $1,400 per year for it and everything is capped. That's not insurance, that's called leeching.

Hope some of this helps, but rest assured many people go through exactly the same thing you are going through. It's a matter of deciding something you are comfortable with.

Cheers,

Smocky.

Gidday D-Jack

We had our second child in July, as with our first, at the Womens & Childrens in Adelaide. The first was a great experience. The staff were so good we had to go back for the second. With the temporary closure of the maternity ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Womens & Childrens were taking up the difference. The waiting times for appointments were huge and then after the birth there were some complications and it took over a couple of hours for a doctor to turn up and stitch my partner Jackie up. In the meanwhile she had lost so much blood that she needed quite a large blood transfusion.

Having said this, we would definitely go back. The staff were really that good.
We feel if people don't support the public health system it will disintergrate further.
You are very lucky D-Jack to have such a good hospital so near to you.....we had to travel 1200km!

Best wishes to you and your family

G'day Jack
Like others we dumped full private years ago. Recently we rejoined NIB with Basic Hospital cover only. Gives us full costs cover in a public hospital with our own doctor etc in a shared ward. The advantage being, having our own Doc. and all theater cost etc. covered.
We figured that was the best basic compromise at an affordable rate.
Cheers
Oskar

G'day D-Jack

Horses for courses, as they say. I've had private cover for yonks. 2 years ago I was seriously crook. All up cost .. about $40K. My cost $150. I'd be a tad in front wouldn't you say.

Cheers

Two terms more at least of the Liberals - maybe it is prudent to keep the cover.

As I see it, the public hospital waiting lists for elective surgery could grow very long.

Qld used to have a really good public hospital system supported by the Golden Casket lottery.

A problem with some(?) private hospitals is that they cut corners. Private entrepreneurs are efficient in making profits, not necessarily in making health delivery more efficient and effective. Anyhow, why be in a private shared room where the nurses can't effectively monitor your vital signs?

I'd go to a public and risk the elective surgery waiting lists however spouse likes the idea of 'private' and no waiting. Re keeping your own doctor, it's not such a bad idea to get others.

We insure our houses, cars, boats and even the Engel but we won't insure ourselves ??!!!

Should we insure the house? Yes
Should we insure the car? Yes
Should we insure ourselves? Umm....

Doesn't make sense.

Like taxes you gotta pay.

These are 2 examples of why I chose not to get it...

1. Sister in-law pregnant & due 2 days after my wife. We have our 2nd &3rd(twins), that afternoon who should end up in the room next to us? The sis in-law, no beds at her hospital of choice so she ends up in public sharing a room with 2 other new mums, we're next door in a single suite getting treated like royalty 'cause we had twins. Not so much as an apology from her insurer, she had to fight to get a credit out of them.

2. Father in-law had insurance for 15 years since he had a bypass, 2years ago he needed a hip replacement. At the consultation with the specialist, he is asked which insurance company he is with. After he tells, specialist hands him the phone and says cancel it and go public or your bill will be around the 10k mark. In his fine print there was a cap imposed on certain proceedures, joint replacement was one of them.

. I reckon it's probably worth it if you have ongoing treatment requirements for a specific ailment, just seems a bit like pot-luck having for "what if?"

Just my experiences, not trying to sway anyone.
Blue