With private health cover you’ll have access to surgery when you need it
Private health insurance gives you peace of mind, knowing that you can access timely surgery with your choice of doctor and avoid long public hospital wait lists.
Private health insurance helps you avoid long public hospital wait lists
Having private cover means:
As a result of the COVID-19 elective surgery shutdown and treatment postponement, public hospitals across Australia are facing a backlog of surgery.
Wait lists have blown out up to 1.5 years in the public system for some common procedures, such as:
In the public system, you could wait:
- 308 days median wait time for a total knee replacement (AIHW)
- 253 days median wait time for tonsillectomy (AIHW)
- 179 days median wait time for total hip replacement (AIHW)
- 172 days median wait time for cataract extraction (AIHW)
Private health insurance members can usually access surgery and treatment within weeks.
What does this mean for you?
This means if you need a joint replacement, cataract surgery or surgery for endometriosis – you may not be treated in the public system for up two years or even longer.
With private health insurance, you can access timely care at a time that suits you. In many cases, you can choose your doctor and are guaranteed continuity of care with your specialist of choice. Avoiding long public hospital wait lists, you’ll get back to your life, work and family sooner.
The private system also funds surgeries and other treatments that are not readily available in the public system, including:
Peace of mind
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that our health and access to quality care is more important than ever. It’s important to keep you and your family covered in these uncertain times.
If you have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are concerned about paying for your private health insurance, contact your private health fund for the options available to you.