| More HCF heads up | |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 18 Mar 2014, 11:04 am | |
| - colt wrote:
- Just to add insult to injury. Maybe my last ever claim to HCF was for Zofran (non-pbs medication I took home from hospital).
Lodged claim, heard nothing, waited 10 minutes on the phone, was told it wasn't on their list, asked who decides what it on their list, was told they do.
Great system when the insurance company decides what they will and won't pay for, and there isn't any way for me to tell. Cost me premiums, postage (cannot claim prescriptions online) and 10 minute phone call for $0.
Have joined Defence Health..... hope they are better. And they wonder why we drop out. | |
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colt Newbie
Number of posts : 13 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-02-26
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 18 Mar 2014, 7:56 am | |
| Just to add insult to injury. Maybe my last ever claim to HCF was for Zofran (non-pbs medication I took home from hospital).
Lodged claim, heard nothing, waited 10 minutes on the phone, was told it wasn't on their list, asked who decides what it on their list, was told they do.
Great system when the insurance company decides what they will and won't pay for, and there isn't any way for me to tell. Cost me premiums, postage (cannot claim prescriptions online) and 10 minute phone call for $0.
Have joined Defence Health..... hope they are better. | |
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colt Newbie
Number of posts : 13 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-02-26
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Thu 13 Mar 2014, 1:14 am | |
| Understood. But once I get a bee in my bonnet I like to strike! Some might call it cutting off one's nose...... | |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Thu 13 Mar 2014, 12:55 am | |
| No worries Col,
Seeing you have just been done and you may not want the hassle in case of complications etc, you can always take the free month that will cover you for the extra cost of the upgrade for about 8+ months then once the dust has settled move across to the other fund. | |
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colt Newbie
Number of posts : 13 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-02-26
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Thu 13 Mar 2014, 12:48 am | |
| Thanks for all you information on HCF, Mr Mick. I have been with them for over 8 years, had my sleeve done last week, but am seriously considering changing insurers. A price increase I can handle, but add to that the excess for day surgery and dropping weight loss surgery, and I'm looking for greener pastures.
On the positive side, I discovered that I am eligible for defence health, so an extra $20 a f/n for top everything and no excess. I too spoke to HCF and they offered me a free month, but that's only really a short term solution.
Col. | |
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Bumbles Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 794 Age : 46 Location : Melbourne Registration date : 2013-10-25
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 11:31 pm | |
| Im just going to wait till closer to July 1 and increase my cover then. Not much I can do, have only been a member for a few months.
Im on family cover too and its going to go from $101 f/n to $111 f/n with the premium increase on current cover and then to $150 f/n when I upgrade to top cover.
I dont think I can sustain it much past the surgery date though - especially if all they do is raise premiums and cut cover - will be paying hundreds a f/n to be covered for ingrown toenails only in a couple years lol | |
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Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 6:32 am | |
| I just got a letter today saying my parents Medibank Private Top Hospital cover is increasing by $22.55 a month. I'm just thankful I took out top hospital cover for them originally because haemodialysis isn't covered in any other tier of cover.
If Mum didn't have this PHI she would have been dead 18 months ago because the public hospital refused to accept her for dialysis and were just going to give her drugs to let her "slip away peacefully" in the Renal Specialists words. The reason for refusing her was that they had limited dialysis spots available and they have to prioritise and Mum was old and therefore didn't pass muster. Must be nice to play God!
I don't know what kind of society we are turning into when you only live if you can afford PHI or the treatment itself. |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 6:10 am | |
| Now the "final news" I have taken the offer of the upgrade and 1 months free premiums saving $371.10 my extra is $24 per fortnight so about 16 fortnights or 9+ months of the extra fees covered.
Tried to push for all waiting period on the new cover waved but the wouldn't have it. All in all saving $371 is quite significant and it all helps towards the operation cost.
LovePyrex, The letter with the increase from April 1 will have exclusions (if any apply to you), If you have "Top Hospital" your covered. I had "Ultimate" which isn't very Ultimate after all ;) | |
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LovePyrex Newbie
Number of posts : 69 Age : 49 Location : Gold Coast,QLD Registration date : 2014-01-23
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 5:58 am | |
| Im with HCF also, I have received a letter saying my premiums have increased, I had already paid 6 months in advance so I wonder if I now owe them extra? They never mention anything about the changes. My Sleeve is booked for the 31st so I guess I just squeeze in, have hospital only......with a $450 excess.
So if surgery is needed for complications would I still be covered? what about plastic surgery later on?? | |
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Bec25 Newbie
Number of posts : 49 Location : Mandurah WA Registration date : 2013-03-26
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 5:56 am | |
| Thanks Mick I think I will definitely do that.. Good advice ! | |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 5:46 am | |
| Hi Bec25, If you are on top hospital you are safe, if you are concerned get the number for the procedure 31575 (for sleeve) email them an enquiry saying am I covered? and you will get a written reply back (this covers you in writing and is why l like email). | |
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Bec25 Newbie
Number of posts : 49 Location : Mandurah WA Registration date : 2013-03-26
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 5:37 am | |
| This whole PHI thing has me scared and doing my head in.. Without the PHI i would not be able to afford to have my op...
I have been checking in with HCF for 12 mths while I wait out my time.. I upgraded a few weeks ago as per my previous thread I started.. I called them again the other day and got a gentlemen who I felt really didn't want to answer my questions..
I have been told I am covered on the Top Plus and General extras but now I am in a panic about them changing it or not being told the correct information.
I don't really understand the whole thing to be honest. All i know is that If I have been paying $38 a week for 12 mths then I should be honored exactly what I signed up for. I think it is ridiculous that they can change the packages half way through!.. Fair enough start new packages for new members but if you are already a member and have been paying and waiting for the 12 mths then it should all be covered as your initial sign up!...
Arrrrgggg I am so stressed! | |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 3:57 am | |
| Hi Bumbles, as you are past July you will have no choice but to upgrade before then or change providers. However you can ring and go the line (I have a date booked and your removing cover).
I believe you should be at least offered something for this forced upgrade like a month free which on there website is available to any new customer, mumble a bit about getting advise from the Ombudsman and see how you go.
For me on a family cover it's an extra $30 per fortnight. | |
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Bumbles Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 794 Age : 46 Location : Melbourne Registration date : 2013-10-25
| Subject: Re: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 3:52 am | |
| Hiya Mick,
Im a complete noob to PHI.
I queried my cover with HCF via email - I need to upgrade to top cover to be covered in November. With the line 'If you were to upgrade your cover to Top Plus Cover before 1 July 2014 we will honour all waiting periods already served under Hospital Advanced Savings. '
Is there anything I need to read into/be worried with that? | |
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MrMick Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 378 Age : 55 Location : Brisbane Registration date : 2014-03-07
| Subject: More HCF heads up Tue 11 Mar 2014, 3:47 am | |
| OK I have made a Facebook post and they have quickly contacted me, we are currently in discussions however these are the facts so far. (will update soon!)
I received an "offer" to upgrade my policy and I would have "all waiting periods (12 months) for Obesity surgery waved"
I pointed out if you upgrade to a policy that has the same benefits there ARE NO waiting periods so long as the coverage is the same (if it's originally covered and no different with waiting period served it carries on to the new cover), so the "offer" is dangerously misleading if not deliberately false .
HCF response "waving" is just terminology we use?? I said no it was an "offer" in writing in BOLD.
I mentioned in Facebook this was covered in the Federal legislation (waiting periods for ugrades) - I was told it wasn't it was just an "ombudsman requirement" of which I said you are legally obliged to follow?? Answer YES.
On further discovery HCF incorrect/missleading again! health insurance act 2007 section 3-3 division 75 - 78 on waiting periods & portability
comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2009C00338/Html/Text#param107
I asked IF I have surgery in June and my staples blow in July am I covered ?? Answer YES... if the surgeon does not put it as an "obesity" Medicare number. As I pointed out this would not be obesity surgery but an emergency "fix" they agreed it would be covered.
So far I have been offered to upgrade with 1 month free saving approx $330, I have rejected this and asked for any and all waiting periods in regards to the new level of cover to be waved.
I expect a phone call on the outcome soon. | |
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