Accidents happen. The old saying “always expect the unexpected” is just as true now as it ever was, maybe even more so. We live in a complex world and there is a lot that can go wrong- auto accidents, work-related injuries, disease- we can’t be ready for everything, but it’s critical that we protect ourselves and our families as much as we possibly can. How do we do that? Private health insurance, of course!

Perhaps the wisest thing you will ever do is to invest in quality coverage for when things inevitably go wrong. Affordably priced not-for-profit Hunter Valley private health insurance protects you and your family from unexpected disasters requiring an ambulance. They are there for you when you or a family member requires immediate emergency medical care and you need to get to the hospital fast.

There are certainly a lot of insurance plan options out there, but we are confident our recommendation is one of the best available, providing cost-effective options to suit your family’s unique needs. If you are still considering whether or not acquiring private health insurance is imperative for you, let’s examine some of the reasons why it’s a great value:

Australia is one of those fortunate nations with universal public healthcare in place, guaranteeing all Australian residents have the right to government-subsidised healthcare operated by the official organisation called Medicare. Even so, it’s estimated that over half of Australia’s residents have purchased additional private health care to supplement the government system. This is because even though Medicare covers a major proportion of your costs, the funds aren’t always available to you immediately. Quite often you need to cover costs upfront out of your own pocket, then claim the money back from Medicare. 

Although Medicare’s overall coverage is excellent, there are some glaring omissions, too. For example, Medicare rather surprisingly does not cover expensive ambulance services and the cost of eyewear. Private insurance also lets you choose your doctor instead of being forced to leave that important decision to the state. It additionally covers treatment at private hospitals, which have capabilities to handle extreme health care needs that publicly funded hospitals may lack. Private insurance is an important supplement to Medicare coverage, taking care of dental treatments, eye care, and of course ambulance rides that seem to have been neglected by the government system.

Medicare is primarily funded by a tax called the Medicare Levy, that all residents pay into. Most people contribute 2% of their taxable income to support the system. Seniors and low-income families are given lower rates and even exemptions depending on their situation. The government also offers a private health insurance rebate that gives people some money back based on their premiums. This can be claimed with your tax returns.

Australia boasts a world-class government health care system, but it still doesn’t cover everything. Investing in quality health insurance is an investment not just in your physical well-being, but also your peace of mind. 

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