| Sound health is an indispensable feature of every | | | | couples with or without children earning more than |
| individual's life. No targets and success can be | | | | $100k will pay an extra 1% Medicare surcharge in |
| achieved if we are physically unwell. In order to | | | | addition to 1.5% Medicare levy most people pay. But |
| safeguard this central aspect of our life, health | | | | this extra annual expenditure of $500 to $1000 can |
| insurance is the need of the hour. | | | | be avoided by opting for hospital insurance. |
| Health insurance as we all know is the best way to | | | | Premium plays a key role in choosing the kind of |
| secure your health against all expected and | | | | policy you want. Money can be saved on premium in |
| unexpected problems. Due to this almost every | | | | various ways such as purchasing a policy with |
| individual seeks to acquire a health insurance policy. | | | | 'excess' or the money that an individual is required to |
| At present there are many companies offering health | | | | pay for stay in a hospital before benefits are payable. |
| insurance. While going for a health insurance policy | | | | You can also buy a policy that asks for a |
| you will confront a choice between private and | | | | co-payment. In case of co-payment if you don't go |
| government insurance. Prior to opting for either | | | | into hospital, the member decides to pay usually a |
| policy, you should know that with a private health | | | | fixed amount of money each time he avails the |
| insurance you would have an access to luxurious | | | | service. Choosing a policy that doesn't include several |
| private hospitals, wide range of private doctors to | | | | treatment facilities is also an option to lower your |
| choose from and mostly immediate treatment. While | | | | premium rates. Besides this you can also buy a policy |
| in a government health insurance scheme the lifetime | | | | that only covers you as a private patient in a public |
| health cover penalizes people who take out health | | | | hospital. However it is better and in the long run |
| insurance later in life with higher premiums. If you | | | | beneficial to take a policy that offers a high 'excess' |
| take the policy after your 31st birthday you will be | | | | in comparison to those that exclude several |
| required to pay a 2% surcharge annually up to 70%. | | | | treatment conditions. Some commonly barred |
| So for instance if you acquire the policy at the age | | | | treatments are- cosmetic surgery, cataract surgery, |
| of 50 you will have to pay 30% more than a person | | | | rehabilitation, hip, knee and other joint replacements, |
| who joined at the age of 30. | | | | obstetrics and birth related care, assisted |
| Government health insurance policy also comes up | | | | reproduction and psychiatric care. In case you want |
| with a Medicare levy surcharge according to which | | | | coverage for any of these treatments, prior to |
| unmarried people earning more than $50k and married | | | | purchasing make sure your policy includes it. |