Is medicare enough?

[jtct]

Any idea how much ambulance cover costs (for over 60s)?
How much does it cost if you DO have to call an ambulance?

Have always paid for dentist and optician so prepared for that.

[Peachie]

I am with medibank private for extras and pay about $62 a month for extras which cover dentist, podiatry ect and ambo cover is included (including intra hossie transport which is not covered on some policies) thank is an option 2 smartchioce but there is a cheaper and a more expencive option (depends how much you need to spend on contacts and glasses etc and kids braces)for us non of that applies ps thats for a family of 4 and there is usually a small gap but have found it good value and cheaper than UK dentist!!!! and get more service for you has too ie perdontist was free

[Diane]

Any idea how much ambulance cover costs (for over 60s)?
How much does it cost if you DO have to call an ambulance?

Have always paid for dentist and optician so prepared for that.

Hopefully the info is here: http://www.saambulance.com.au/ProductsServices/AmbulanceCover.aspx

We don't have private cover, use the school dentist and get sent a free voucher for each of the kids for another dental check up each year (maybe that's coz we're pov!), and when we've needed any treatment, Medicare has come up trumps. I've seen private specialists, paid up front, then Medicare refunds the bulk of the cost. Pay for any optical stuff we need out of pocket (again, the kids seem to be entitled to annual eye checks on medicare) and luckily haven't needed any expensive orthodontics (yet!) I've had some acupuncture which I paid for direct, but we don't go in for a lot of other "allied" services.

We have ambulance cover though through SA Ambulances - it's very reasonably priced.

[corrinla]

I'd rather save the weekly premiums and pay as I go if I need to.

[sally1968]

Just to add to Dianes post - adults can also get eye exams on Medicare but they will only cover you for 1 every 2yrs. We only have ambulance cover and have also found medicare to be more than sufficent.