Why should I keep private hospital cover? I can go to a public hospital for free.
The value of private health insurance is clear when you use it (and not all health episodes are planned). Keeping your private health cover means you will:
- have access to the best private hospitals with state-of-the art facilities when you need care
- be able to choose your doctor, giving you trust in the quality of care and outcomes.
- not have to spend months (or even years) on a public hospital waiting list
- save yourself tax (if you’re a high-income earner) by not having to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge
- avoid a Lifetime Health Cover loading (by having hospital cover before you turn 31)
- have additional health services not covered by Medicare, such as dental, physiotherapy and remedial massage. If you’ve got private health insurance cover with extras, this can help with the cost of these services.
Health insurance is much more than a cost – it’s about giving you more choice for your healthcare, less time waiting for the services you need and (most importantly) the peace of mind to know that you’ll be looked after when you need it most.