Australia has built a pretty extensive national health care program. Every Australian is eligible for benefits under their universal health care program called Medicare. Under this health coverage plan, citizens can receive medical services at public hospitals and other health care providers. With Medicare, patients usually have very little out-of-pocket costs except for outpatient prescription drugs and some auxiliary services. Even though all citizens are entitled to these benefits, many prefer to purchase private health care coverage that pays for being treated as private patients.

Private health insurance coverage gives Australians the ability to choose their own hospitals and doctors and help pay for medical services not covered by the Medicare plan. Services such as ambulance transportation, physiotherapy, and some obstetrics, for example, are not covered in many states and territories. You must buy a policy from a registered insurance company and then pay regular premiums to get private health insurance. Services covered and premium amounts will vary depending on the policy and health insurer.

Depending on the policy, private health insurance plans cover a wide range of medical services. Many citizens receive a break on the Medicare levy surcharge or receive private insurance rebates from the government in exchange for having a private plan. Selecting the right plan will take some time and research to ensure that you get the coverages you need. Some things you should note, however, are that private health plans are community-rated, meaning that everyone will pay the same price for a particular policy, you can’t be refused coverage, and you’re guaranteed the right to renewal. Let’s take a look at comparing health insurance coverage.

Compare total costs.

Many people become focused on the monthly premium as a major determining factor when purchasing an insurance plan. However, that isn’t the only cost information to consider. The monthly premium will be how much you pay a health insurer each month coverage. The estimated yearly cost will be how much it will likely cost you to have the plan throughout the year. Other things to consider are the co-payments for doctor visits or hospital care and the possible deductibles.

These costs will be on top of your premium, so you should consider them together as a total yearly cost. This can be a useful tip for selecting your private health insurance plan. You’ll want to make sure that you are getting the best value and can afford the total cost of the plan.

Consider what you use.

Do you have a critical illness that requires regular care and medications, or do you just go to the doctor for a yearly physical? If you have seasonal sinus pain or chronic back pain, you’ll want to consider those things. Picking the right insurance plan will include determining how much health care you use each year. While you can’t predict emergencies, think about your relative health condition and what services you might require.

As an example, if you are considering starting a family, most health insurer plans will require a 12 month waiting period before pregnancy, and birth-related services will be paid for. You’ll need to purchase coverage for this a year in advance. Choosing the right plan for you and your family will depend on your health care needs for the coming year.

The costs of a plan and the benefits offered are perhaps two of the most important factors to consider when comparing health insurance plans. You’ll want to find a plan that you can afford, but that also covers the medical services that you require. There are plenty of coverages offered, from home care and ambulance transport to private hospital benefits, and you’ll need to find what is best for your situation.