Author: Trudie McConnochie

If you’re waiting for varicose veins surgery in a public hospital, you could be waiting months. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 50% of people waited more than 133 days (4.5 months) for varicose veins surgery in a public hospital in 2024-25. If you have Hospital Cover that includes the Heart and Vascular System clinical category, you could skip the queue and go to a private hospital for...

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, according to the Cancer Council, with more than 2 in 3 of us likely to be diagnosed in our lifetime. One of the most common treatments – including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – is surgical excision to remove the lesion. In fact, based on Medicare data, more than 100 skin cancer treatments for squamous and basal cell carcinoma took...

Kidney stones are a painful condition that can affect 1 in 10 men and 1 in 35 women in Australia. While most stones will pass by themselves, some people will need to go to hospital for treatment and pain relief. In an emergency, you’ll be treated free in a public hospital but there can be long waiting lists for non-emergency kidney stone treatment. It’s faster to get treated in a private hospital, but there...

If you have wisdom teeth that need to be removed, you could be facing a painful experience for both your mouth and your wallet. Dental treatments are generally not covered under Medicare so health insurance can help with your costs – but there may be large out-of-pocket costs. Here’s what you need to know about using health insurance for wisdom teeth removal.  How much does wisdom teeth removal cost? Wisdom teeth removal...

Around 14% of Australian women are living with endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue grows outside the uterus. There’s no cure for this debilitating condition, but there are treatments to relieve the symptoms – including surgical options. If you’re living with endometriosis and want the option of skipping long wait lists and having surgery in a private hospital, health insurance is worth considering. According to The Guardian, public wait lists for endometriosis surgery can...

Whether you’re a runner, an office worker or anyone experiencing stiff muscles, regular remedial massages might make a big difference to how your body feels. And if you have health insurance, you might be able to lower your massage costs – depending on your policy, and the massage therapist. Here’s how to find the best health insurance for remedial massage.  Does health insurance cover remedial massage? Yes, Remedial Massage is covered on Extras Cover,...

Around 43% of Australians will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, and some may need to be hospitalised for treatment. While treatment in public hospitals is free under Medicare, our mental health services are under enormous strain, so you might consider using your health insurance for psychiatric care in a private hospital or psychiatric facility for faster treatment. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2023-24 around 21% of overnight...

If you’re admitted to hospital as a private patient, your insurer won’t pay the entire bill for your treatment. As well as the Gap, which is determined by your doctor and your insurer, you’ll also need to pay an excess and possibly also a co-payment, determined by your policy. So what’s the difference between these...