City worst in state for hospital cover
GOLD Coasters say the cost of private health cover is forcing them to consider going without.
A majority (65 per cent) of the more than 1200 respondents to a Bulletin survey say premium rises have caused them to reconsider their level of health cover.
Federal Government data reveals the Gold Coast Primary Health Network is the worst covered in Queensland when it comes to private insurance, with just 50.1 per cent of adults under a private plan.
The national average is 57 per cent.
Southport business owner Kiel Sinclair said he went close to pulling out of his own private hospital plan – until he found himself on the operating table.
“I was one of those people in their mid-thirties wondering why I was paying money each week for something I don’t use,” Mr Sinclair said.
“Everyone has only much expendable income.”
But just a week later a shock bile duct obstruction put the young accountant in hospital.
Mr Sinclair was in and out of hospital over the next six weeks, undergoing six separate operations.
He said he would not now be quitting his hospital cover.
“Going through it all, at the end the bill would have been $15,000,” Mr Sinclair said. “The cost of the MRIs, medications and specialists have been worth the last 30 or so years of my private health cover.”
The story is different so for Miami self-funded Noela Baglot.
Mrs Baglot and her husband recently pulled out of the couple’s hospital cover in search of a more affordable option. Facing rising costs, they found separate policies and still pay $100-200 each for their insurance every month. retiree
“We have gone for two single covers rather than a couple because our needs are independently different. We did shop around and changed from one cover to another looking for value,’’ she said.
Gold Coast Medical Association secretary Philip Morris said he could understand why the number of Gold Coast people with cover might be lower than average.
“I would imagine the problem may be to do with the number of retirees on the Gold Coast looking at what they can afford,’’ he said.
Gold Coast senator Murray Watt said the numbers opting out of full hospital cover were an indication of financial pressures in the community.
“We are in the middle of a private health insurance crisis,” Senator Watt said. Labor had proposed a 2 per cent premium price cap, which Senator Watt said would save families on private health insurance an average of $340 over two years.
Gold Coast MP Stuart Robert said a new health insurance classification system announced by the Federal Government would assist people in making a decision.
From April 1, 2019 all existing policies would be categorised in a tier system of Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic.
“Health insurance should be treated with the same approach as your car or your house,” Mr Robert said.
“Even if you are young, walking on to a sporting field you have no idea what is going to happen.”