Author: Trudie McConnochie

When your parent, or parents, need additional care to stay well, your family will face a lot of decisions. Amid these changes, you might be wondering about private health insurance for elderly parents – whether it’s needed, and where to find the right policy. Here are the answers to the most common questions about choosing health insurance for ageing parents. Do my parents need health insurance? As your parents age, their chance of hospitalisation rises significantly. They can be treated for free...

If you find wearing glasses or contact lenses annoying or impractical, laser eye surgery might seem like the right decision for you. According to Optometry Australia, around two-thirds of Australians wear prescription glasses and 13% wear contact lenses. If you’re among that number and your optometrist has suggested laser surgery, there’s lots to weigh up before you go ahead – including costs. While laser eye surgery isn’t covered by Medicare,...

Health insurers are always keen to attract new members, especially when the annual 1 April price increases are announced. You might have seen ads promoting waiting periods being waived, a certain amount of membership weeks for free, or even gift products like retailer gift cards. But are these health insurance promotions and deals worth it, and what’s the catch? What deals and promotions can health insurers offer? Health insurance in Australia is regulated by the government, which...

When you’re claiming private hospital treatment on Hospital Cover, you probably assume all your costs will be covered – so it can be a bit of a shock to learn you might have to pay a Gap (out-of-pocket costs). Fortunately, health insurance Gap cover schemes – offered by many insurers – can help you reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Here’s how they work. Why do Gaps exist?  Gaps happen when doctors charge more than the Medicare Benefits Schedule Fee (MBS) set...

If you’ve been told you’ll need surgery in the near future and you have private health insurance, you might be wondering whether it’s better to go to a public or private hospital. In 2023-24, around 67% of elective surgeries in Australia were done in private hospitals. While being treated in a public hospital is free under Medicare, there may be long waits to be seen by a specialist and then to have your surgery – and you can’t choose...

It’s a question we’re asked often at healthslips.com.au: what’s the cheapest health insurer in Australia? There is no definitive answer because everyone’s health and insurance needs are different. But if you’re trying to save money on health insurance, here are some tips to help you find the most affordable insurer for your unique needs.  1. Focus on policies, not insurers When you’re looking for the cheapest health insurance, instead of focusing on insurer brand, focus on...

If you’ve got Extras Cover, you might be covered for the cost of vaccinations, but the type of shots you can claim and the amount can be wildly different.  Let’s look more closely at cover for vaccinations on health insurance. Are vaccinations covered by Medicare? Yes, if a vaccination is recommended for your age group or circumstances, the cost is free under Medicare....

If you’re looking for a new Hospital Cover policy or upgrading your current policy, you’ll need to decide what private health insurance tier you need. There are 4 tiers of Hospital Cover: Here are the 3 steps to choose your Hospital Cover tier.  1. Decide on your healthcare needs Make a list of the hospital services, (known as clinical categories), you might need in the near future – especially if you want the option of being treated privately for those procedures. Take into...