AMA VICDOC Autumn 2024 - Magazine - Page 62
PA R T N E R C O N T E N T
HEALTH
COVER
TIPS
—
It is time to
book in any final
appointments to
use up any benefits
before the year
is up
––
Your private health insurance
policy will operate all year round
so long as your premium payments
are kept up to date. However,
there’s 3 things to consider with
your health cover as we draw closer
to the end of the year and into
another holiday period.
1. MAKING THE MOST OF
YOUR EXTRAS BENEFITS IF
THE Y RESET ON 1 JANUARY
—
Health insurance extras benefits
usually reset at the end of the
calendar year on 1 January or at the
end of the financial year on 1 July
depending on the health fund. If
your extras limits are due to reset
on 1 January and you have some
remaining, it’s time to book in any
final appointments to use up these
benefits before the year is up.
2. LOOKING AF TER YOUR
HEALTH NEEDS WHILE
TRAVELLING
—
If you’re travelling overseas for the
holidays, keep in mind that private
health insurance and Medicare
only cover health services within
Australia. Travel insurance can help
cover medical costs while overseas
and is strongly recommended to
ensure you’re not left significantly
out of pocket. More information
on health care planning while
travelling can be found at
servicesaustralia.gov.au
You may also have the option
to suspend your health cover
while overseas depending on the
length of your travels. Different
health funds have different rules,
and your suspension may have tax
implications, so it’s important to
make a detailed enquiry with
your health fund to understand
any conditions.
Travelling domestically? Your
private health insurance policy
will operate as normal regardless
of the state or territory you visit.
If you’re moving to another state
permanently, you will need to
contact your health fund to update
your personal details to reflect
your new address.
3. RELIEVING FINANCIAL
PRESSURES ACROSS THE
HOLIDAY PERIOD
—
The holiday period can be an
expensive time especially during
this period of high inflation. If
you’re looking for ways to save
without compromising what
you’re covered for, reviewing your
payment frequency, increasing
your hospital excess if you don’t
have near-future plans for elective
surgery* or claiming the Australian
government private health
Established by the AMA in 1977, Doctors’ Health Fund provides
health cover to members of the medical community and their families.
insurance rebate as a premium
reduction, are ways you could see
immediate changes in the amount
you pay to your health fund. As
you’re not bound to a contract
with your health cover, you should
be able to make these changes
straight away. It’s important to
speak to your health fund for more
information and to understand
what’s available to you.
—
*By increasing your excess, you will be
required to pay more in the event you are
admitted to hospital as a private patient. If
you change your mind, waiting periods can
apply when reducing the excess on your policy.
Please refer to your health fund to understand
any policy implications. IMPORTANT:
Private health insurance products are issued
by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited,
ABN 68 001 417 527 (Doctors’ Health
Fund), a member of the Avant Mutual Group.
Cover is subject to the terms and conditions
(including waiting periods, limitations and
exclusions) of the individual policy, available
at www.doctorshealthfund.com.au/our-cover.
This publication is not comprehensive and
does not constitute legal or financial advice.
It is intended only to provide a summary
and general overview on matters of interest.
Persons implementing any recommendations
contained in this publication must exercise
their own independent skill or judgement
or seek appropriate professional advice
relevant to their own particular circumstances.
Information is only current at the date
initially published.
Click here Doctors
Health Fund
