Is medicare enough?

[Guest jlr248]

Hi PIA, Would like to hear opinions on whether Medicare cover (we are entitled as we have skilled independent visa) is enough with extra ambulance cover, for a family of 4 or if we chould look at extra health insurance. Also wondering about Dental care and cover. Thanks

[suzer]

Medicare doesn't cover dental. I think private cover is worth it as it covers extras, such as dental and optical, and hospital if you ever need it, so you don't end up on waitlist, plus you avoid the Medicare levy surcharage,

[xzibit]

It's a personal decision. I personally think private is a waste of money especially as my Aunt got treated on Medicare at a private hospital with the top surgeon.

I'd rather save the weekly premiums and pay as I go if I need to. But like I say, it's a personal choice. I won't get private insurance.

[Guest Nick11]

We took out hospital cover after speaking to a nurse over here who was recovering from breast cancer. It wasn't so much the operations and stays in hospital..but about having immediate access to the radiotherapy machine etc. She said that there weren't many machines in sa and that many people have to travel interstate to get treatment.

Maybe the nurses on here who work on the front line are better able to comment on this.

[Lazy Cow]

It would be easier if we could all see into the future!

 

For what it's worth, when the kuds were young we had extras cover for optical and basic dental but then we built on that with cover for more complex dental care, cover in case they needed braces (12 month wait before we could clain I believe), and something else but I forget ! We haven't had to clain (except for glasses and contact lenses) the kids haven't needed braces, the boy didn't suffer any footy accidents not covered by Medicare, didn't fly off his motorcross bike etc etc! The school dentist can be fantastic. I know of friends' kids that have had teeth knocked out through sport (how is it something so healthy leaves so many with long-term problems?!) and had brilliant, immediate help from the dentist.

 

We've used Medicare for basics..xrays, blood tests,specialists etc and it's all been good. Now we're getting old (lol but...!) we've added hospital cover.

 

I think Nick11 is right, it would be interesting to see what any nurses who have experience on the public side feel about the whole thing.

 

LC

[Guest eager6]

It would be easier if we could all see into the future!

 

For what it's worth, when the kuds were young we had extras cover for optical and basic dental but then we built on that with cover for more complex dental care, cover in case they needed braces (12 month wait before we could clain I believe), and something else but I forget ! We haven't had to clain (except for glasses and contact lenses) the kids haven't needed braces, the boy didn't suffer any footy accidents not covered by Medicare, didn't fly off his motorcross bike etc etc! The school dentist can be fantastic. I know of friends' kids that have had teeth knocked out through sport (how is it something so healthy leaves so many with long-term problems?!) and had brilliant, immediate help from the dentist.

 

We've used Medicare for basics..xrays, blood tests,specialists etc and it's all been good. Now we're getting old (lol but...!) we've added hospital cover.

 

I think Nick11 is right, it would be interesting to see what any nurses who have experience on the public side feel about the whole thing.

 

LC

 

 

 

Just wondering what does the school dentist do???Do you have to pay for them.

 

Siobhan

[Lazy Cow]

Just wondering what does the school dentist do???Do you have to pay for them.

 

Siobhan

 

This should explain it http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=34

LC

[Guest Nick11]

Lazy cow..it was very interesting to hear your views on the school dentist. We were told by our orthodontist that school dentists employed by sa government are now no more than dental technicians. Another form of cost cutting. Not sure how true it is!

[RockDr]

If you're earning above the limit for the medicare levy surcharge, then it's worth it, as the things you save on extras, plus the savings you make on the surcharge, more than covers the cost of the insurance. So might as well take the insurance, and then you're covered if ever you have any issues with a longer waiting time on medicare.

[Guest Peachie]

I have found in my hospital that the waiting lists are comparible or shorter than the UK except for hearing aides??? extras is well worth it as dentists are pricey but have heard right horror stories from the agency nurses who visit my unit about their shifts in private hossies they have all informed me that you get better care in public hopitals than private but you have to wait and can't pick your Doctor (ps you are still entitled to a 2nd opinion if you get stuck with a lemon!)

[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.

[Guest 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.

[Guest 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.

[JoRed4]

Sorry to butt in; just trying to get my head around all of this stuff; what is the earning limit for the medicare levy surcharge?

 

If you're earning above the limit for the medicare levy surcharge, then it's worth it, as the things you save on extras, plus the savings you make on the surcharge, more than covers the cost of the insurance. So might as well take the insurance, and then you're covered if ever you have any issues with a longer waiting time on medicare.

[sduffy]

I personally wish we had obtained private health cover when we first came as few months down the line hubby and i were diagnosed with chronic illnesses which basically means that the cost of private medical cover is prohibitive.In addition waiting times can be long in certain depts in medicare, been told daughter could wait 12-18 months for gastro appt that in my view is unacceptable.Medicare in comparison to NHS diagnosed me and hubby when the NHS had not for some considerable time.Medicare is very proactive with blood tests and scans etc.A friend of mine had complained of headaches in Uk ,told probably stress, here her dr referred her for a brain scan she had a clot and had surgery within a couple of weeks.Bearing in mind strong family history of strokes would have been a wiser option to refer for scan, family in Uk has been tested and brother has a clot as well so Medicare has probably saved two lives.

 

My friend and her family cant speak highly enough of Medicare as you can imagine.

 

Sue

[ajford]

We have Medicare plus extra with bupa to cover dental and ambulance cover. I go into hospital in 2 weeks for surgery only went to see consultant in the middle of may, had to pay a gap fee buts that's all.

 

Lisa