Health Insurance - Page 4
How much does Invisalign cost in Australia?
Keen to find out what Invisalign costs in Australia? We compare the price of Invisalign with braces and share differences.
Hip replacement surgery cost
If you need a hip replacement you may have concerns about how much hip replacement surgery costs. Here are some of the relevant factors to keep in mind.
Split health cover: what are the pros & cons?
You may find hospital cover from one provider and extras from another, but can you have hospital and extras cover with different providers?
How much does a knee replacement cost?
The cost of knee replacement in Australia varies depending on the type of surgery, but private health insurance could help make it affordable.
Health insurers are delaying their price hikes for 2022 - here's how you can save even more
Many major Aussie health funds have delayed the April 1 price hike, in recognition of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here's how millions of Aussies can get free rapid antigen tests for COVID-19
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that millions of Aussies will soon have access to free rapid antigen tests.
Paid vaccine leave could help Aussies get the jab, so who’s offering it?
Some companies are offering paid time off for employees to get vaccinated against COVID. We look at what support may be available.
How could a vaccine help the Australian economy return to normal?
COVID-19 vaccinations have begun in the UK, the US and Canada, with Australia planning to start inoculating in the coming months. Could a vaccine help the Australian economy and way of life return to normal?
Could you save before private health insurance premiums rise on 1 October?
For many Australians, the holiday from paying higher health insurance premiums is about to end. It’s not too late to save money on health insurance though, one expert explains. Many health insurers postponed increasing premiums in April this year for a period of six months, to provide immediate budget relief to Australians during a time of uncertainty. That six-month clock is about to strike on 1 October, with most health insurers set to hike premiums then. There may be an ‘out’ for policyholders on JobKeeper or JobSeeker, with some funds opting to delay or discount your increase if you can … Continued
Which health funds are offering financial relief during COVID-19?
In response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, a number of Australian health funds are offering extended coverage and financial relief packages to members who are experiencing financial difficulty. Most health insurers have delayed their annual premium increases, normally scheduled for 1 April, by at least six months for all customers. This means most people’s premiums will not increase until around 1 October this year, at the earliest. Most funds are also extending coverage for all members with hospital cover (regardless of their tier of cover) to include COVID-19 related hospitalisations. Some health insurers are offering additional relief to members who … Continued
Creating a COVID-19 vaccine is only the first step. It'll take years to manufacture and distribute
The Australian government has struck a deal to gain early access to 25 million doses of an Oxford University produced COVID-19 vaccine if it passes trials and is found to be safe. If this vaccine works, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it will be given to Australians for free, but in the meantime the government will keep an eye on other vaccine candidates, including those being produced in Australia. Associate Professor from the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney, Adam Kamradt-Scott, explains what vaccine challenges may lie ahead globally and in Australia if an effective vaccine … Continued
Thinking about working from home long term? 3 ways it could be good or bad for your health
If you have enjoyed working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and would like it to continue long term, there are some considerations regarding your health. Research Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of South Australia, Carol T. Kulik, and Senior Lecturer in the School of Management, Dr. Ruchi Sinha, investigate the pros and cons of working remotely. The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to work from home, often in less than ideal circumstances. Many employees had little choice in the decision, limited time to prepare, patchy technology skills, and inadequate home workspaces. Some managers neglected … Continued
What's the new coronavirus saliva test, and how does it work?
A new saliva test to detect COVID-19 has been put forward as an alternative to the nasal and throat swab. But how effective is this type of testing and are there any advantages to using it? Experts from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and a specialist in infectious diseases explain. A cornerstone of containing the COVID-19 pandemic is widespread testing to identify cases and prevent new outbreaks emerging. This strategy is known as “test, trace and isolate”. The standard test so far has been the swab test, in which a swab goes up your nose and to … Continued
7 lessons for Australia’s health system from the coronavirus upheaval
With coronavirus restrictions now starting to lift in most states in Australia, some experts are reflecting on our nation’s response to the pandemic and what we can do to better deal with an outbreak of this scale in the future, including within our healthcare system. Grattan Institute’s Director, Health Program, Stephen Duckett, and Associate Anika Stobart have authored an article that breaks down some of the lessons learnt regarding the way the Australian health system has fared during the pandemic, and how they can be used to help adapt the system to better handle potential future outbreaks and shutdowns. The … Continued
We need to flatten the ‘other’ coronavirus curve, our looming mental health crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has had many far-reaching consequences beyond the spread of the disease itself. Professor Anthony Jorm from the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and Stephen Carbone from the University of Melbourne dissect some of the mental health impacts of COVID-19, outlining what measures are currently in place and what could be done to help manage these impacts into the future. The battle against the mental health consequences of the coronavirus pandemic is just beginning. Governments and researchers are mapping how best to prevent the predicted rise in mental health issues we face in coming months and … Continued
Coronavirus: 5 questions to ask when looking at your health insurance policy
As Australians take stock of their financial situation during the coronavirus crisis, some may be looking closely at the value of their private health insurance. The cancellation of non-urgent elective surgeries and the closure of some allied health services across Australia has led some to ask more questions about their policies, particularly for those already under increased financial pressure from losing their jobs or having their work hours reduced. Dr Rachel David, Chief Executive of industry peak body Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), said that while this was a tough time for all Australians, health funds were working hard to provide … Continued
Health insurance to cover coronavirus hospital visits and premium hikes put on hold
Australians paying for hospital cover in their private health insurance policy will now be fully covered if they need to be hospitalised due to coronavirus, and most people’s premiums won’t go up for at least six months. Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), the industry body for health funds, announced last week that full coverage of hospital costs for people affected by COVID-19 would be available on every single hospital policy from every PHA member, including most of Australia’s largest health insurers. PHA also announced over the weekend that its members would put the scheduled deadline of 1 April for all private … Continued
5 unexpected effects of coronavirus: Hoarding, scalping, bidets & more
It’s hard to believe that Australia’s most sought-after commodity right now is the humble loo roll. That could just be the tip of the iceberg of our reactions to coronavirus. Will hand sanitiser scalping, dating app health warnings and plunging beer sales become the new normal? We take a look at five unexpected impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. Gone are the days when precious metals were coveted and mined resources kept the country moving – 2020 is toilet paper’s world and we’re just living in it. The coronavirus pandemic – now officially known as COVID-19 – is continuing to spread … Continued
Rushing out for hand sanitiser? Read these 5 surprising facts first
Fears of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) have sent the price of hand sanitiser skyrocketing, as supermarkets warn that stocks are low. However, is it really that effective against viruses? And is it value for money? Here are five surprising facts about hand sanitiser. Source: Tradol (Shutterstock) As the number of novel coronavirus infections rises across the world, people are reaching for hand sanitisers to try and prevent its spread. The World Health Organisation (WHO) – which recently declared the virus an international public health emergency – has issued a list of preventative measures, including a recommendation for people to clean their … Continued
Canstar's 2019 Health Insurance Awards: which providers won?
Canstar has revealed the national and state-based winners of this year's Canstar Health Insurance Star Ratings Awards.
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For those that love the detail
This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.
