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OneTime
26-06-07, 12:51 PM
Time is running out....

I'm sure those of you in Oz have heard the endless ads about how those without private health cover who are over 30 or earning more than $50,000k are going to pay a higher premium for not having private health care.

Here is and explanation -

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-phi-fact27.htm


Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) was introduced in July 2000 and involves a penalty for people aged over 30 who do not hold private health insurance hospital cover.

For each year over 30, a 2 per cent loading (cumulative) is added to the cost of the private health insurance premium up to a maximum of 70 per cent. Those born before 1 July 1934 are exempt from the penalty.

Health funds are required to charge different premiums based on the age of each particular member depending on when they first took out private health insurance.

Currently, health funds charge the loadings on top of premiums paid by people who did not have private hospital cover while they were younger or did not join before 15 July 2000.

The loadings have meant that a person who delays joining until the age of 40 has had to pay 20 per cent more than someone who joined at the aged of 30........ click here for more (http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-phi-fact27.htm)....

If you are considering who to go with, check out www.iselect.com.au

They act as a "broker" who look for the best deals across the range and seem to be pretty good.

LongJohnny
26-06-07, 02:29 PM
We've always been on Medicare only, so i don't suppose this wil affect the LJ family.

I prefer the tax loading we pay each year above private health care.

Cheers,

LJ

OneTime
27-06-07, 04:25 AM
We've always been on Medicare only, so i don't suppose this wil affect the LJ family.

I prefer the tax loading we pay each year above private health care.

Cheers,

LJ

We're struggling to see the advantages, I guess unless something serious were to happen. Having said that - if we decided to take the loading on the chin, we'd pay almost as much in tax as having private medical anyway - for nothing.

LongJohnny
28-06-07, 09:02 AM
I hear what you say, the thing is that we never really sat down to to do the Maths.

I looked a few insurances over a few times, but then got cold feet when i saw a few "fineprints"

State Healthcare IMHO is light years ahead of its RSA counterpart, so really don't mind the Aussie State Health system.

You're well and professionally looked after and that's all that count for me.

However, i suppose if Canberra is going to force us into private cover one day, we'll just have to do it.


Cheers,

LJ