How health insurance can support you with arthritis 

If you, or someone you love, is living with arthritis, you’re far from alone. Arthritis is the third most common chronic condition in Australia, according to the ABS, and reportedly affects 3.7 million of us. 

Arthritis is a term encompassing many different forms of conditions that affect the joints and cause inflammation, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Here’s how Private Health Insurance can help you with arthritis treatments and management.  

How Hospital Cover can help with arthritis treatment 

There isn’t a cure for arthritis, but there are ways to manage the condition – and if your condition is severe, Hospital Cover can help. If your doctor has recommended surgery to relieve severe pain, or improve the movement and use of a joint (including a joint replacement), there might be a long wait for public hospital treatment under Medicare. Thankfully, Hospital Cover means you can skip waiting lists and get treated faster in a private hospital by a doctor of your choice, and if it’s available, you may even get your own room.  

According to Arthritis NSW, these are the hospital procedures that might be recommended for your condition, and the tier (level) of Hospital Cover you’ll need: 

How Extras Cover can help with arthritis treatment 

Depending on your policy, having Extras Cover may help with the cost (in full or in part) of treatments that could help you manage arthritis, including:  

• Staying active 

According to Arthritis NSW, exercise can help you manage arthritis, so long as you have the go-ahead from your healthcare team. Some Extras Cover includes Exercise Physiology so you can get an exercise regimen designed especially for your health needs. 

• Health education 

Under the Health Management/Healthy Living category of Extras Cover, you may be covered for the costs of health education, such as programs to help you manage your condition and keep your weight under control (Arthritis NSW says carrying extra weight increases the stress on your joints). This category might also include a subsidy for the cost of your gym membership – talk to your insurer to find out more.  

• Eating well 

Although diet can’t cure arthritis, eating well may help you manage symptoms of arthritis and your weight. Look at your policy details to find out whether your Extras Cover includes Dietetics/Dietary Advice, so you can get nutritional advice and support from an accredited practising dietitian.  

• Mental wellbeing support 

Research shows both anxiety and depression are linked to arthritis, so if you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which covers 10 sessions with a mental health professional under Medicare. If you’re not eligible, look to your Extras Cover. If it includes Psychology, your sessions with a psychologist will be subsidised up to a set limit.  

• Hands-on therapies 

Physiotherapy, myotherapy  and remedial massage may help improve joint and muscle mobility. Find out from your doctor whether these could help you, then check your policy to see whether they’re covered and what limits might apply. 

Choosing the right health insurance for arthritis 

If you’re living with arthritis and want a health insurance policy that helps support your treatments, try the healthslips.com.au Calculator. It’s the only health insurance comparison calculator that searches through every policy available without any bias. Try it for free, without having to enter your contact details. 

Start calculating your cheapest health insurance policy, or compare your existing policy to others on the market, so you can find the best policy for you.  

Trudie McConnochie

Writer and Researcher

Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.

Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.

Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.

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