Deadline looms for health cover extras claims
HEALTH fund members with extras are being urged to maximise their cover before it resets on January 1.
Whether it be a dental check-up, physio appointment, or getting your eyes tested, in many cases members will still have money left on their annual limits, allowing them to get money back on claims made.
Latest Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) statistics revealed more than 13.5 million Australians (about 55 per cent of the population) have some form of extras cover.
In the September quarter, insurers paid back members significant amounts in extras claims – the average benefits paid were $64 per dental visit, $75 for optical , $35 for physio and $30 for chiropractic.
Medibank’s chief customer officer David Koczkar said December and January was a peak period for members to make extras claims before their annual limit amounts reset.
“Kids are out of school towards the end of the month, so it’s a good time to get some health admin done,’’ he said.
“For chiropractic claims, we see about a 30 per cent increase in claims in the holiday period.”
He urges members to make sure they use their annual dental check-up, where members receive 100 per cent back on their visit.
Defence Health chief executive officer Major General Gerard Fogarty said their extras cover resets on July 1, so consumers need to be aware of when these periods click over to maximise their benefits.
“By understanding what benefits are available, members can minimise their out-ofpocket expenses and plan necessary treatment to optimise their health,’’ he said.
Financial comparison website iSelect’s spokeswoman Laura Crowden said it’s vital consumers check what value they have left on their limits to ensure they maximise their entitlements before year end. “With most funds you can check your claims history easily either through an app or via an online portal,’’ she said.