Misunderstanding health insurance policy causes ‘bill shock’  

Not understanding exactly what your health insurance policy covers could leave you with ‘bill shock’ later if you need surgery or another significant treatment.  

A recent ABC story explored the impact of discovering your health insurance doesn’t provide the level of cover you expected. It profiles two Australian women who faced large bills for hip replacements that they thought their health insurer would cover.  

One woman who needed a hip replacement thought her policy covered joint replacements, but her health insurer told her she was only covered for joint reconstructions – leaving her to find more than $40,000.  

The story shares tips on getting familiar with your policy to avoid ‘bill shock’. 

Read the full ABC story here. 

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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