Author: Trudie McConnochie

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...

If you’re looking for a permanent form of male contraception, vasectomy is one option to consider. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure which involves cutting the tube connecting the testes with the penis. Here’s how much a vasectomy costs, and whether you can use health insurance to cover the procedure. How much does a vasectomy...

If you’re living with your partner, you might consider joining your health cover into one policy. But while a Couples policy might simplify your household expenses, it won’t save you any money. In fact, having separate Singles policies might work out cheaper. Here’s why…. Is Couples health insurance cheaper than Singles? No. One health insurance...

When your parent, or parents, need additional care to stay well, your family will face a lot of decisions. Amid these changes, you might be wondering about private health insurance for elderly parents – whether it’s needed, and where to find the right policy. Here are the answers to the most common questions about choosing...

If you find wearing glasses or contact lenses annoying or impractical, laser eye surgery might seem like the right decision for you. According to Optometry Australia, around two-thirds of Australians wear prescription glasses and 13% wear contact lenses. If you’re among that number and your optometrist has suggested laser surgery, there’s lots to weigh up...