IMO Toot private cover really just gets you in the door quicker--but once you get there it costs fortune--

I was looking at those figures - 556,000 people had operations for free in 2006/2007. That's a lot of people who didn't have to pay a cent, as long as they were prepared to wait. I wonder if they were happy with the outcome.

I have been a public patient --and (crosses fingers) I haven't had to have anything "urgent" I did have to wait but was very happy in the end--had a good Dr--and was treated well--even though it was only a Colonoscopy- I do think that being in the fund just allows you to get in quicker--

Good to know there is at least one happy patient PB. My brother in law who lived in Batemans Bay had a heart attack and was rushed by ambulance to Canberra hospital, he got first class treatment for nothing and had the top heart surgeon all for nix. I have a daughter in the top health fund going into a private hospital to have a baby in September and the gap will be around $3,000 to $5,000. She's having an epidural and had to pay up front last week for it - another $1,000. It makes me wonder what's going on in the Private health industry.

Yes Toot if you are admitted via the emergency you get seen to rather quick--however if you aren't, there is a huge waiting time--like I said the private cover only gets you in the door quick--ie for elective--God knows they they would call it that when you may be in dreadful pain and need a new hip etc etc--I have a friend at the moment waiting for "urgent" heart surgery and he has to wait many more months and could very well die b4 he gets in

I wonder about these people in lots of pain PB, why wouldn't their doctor put them on the Category 1 list above. Maybe it's the doctor's fault. They have the choice of putting you on Category 1, 2 or 3, if you are 3, you're in big trouble.

Yes Toot I guess it all about the wating times and the dreadful mess the health system is in--not very nice when you are waiting with a time bomb waiting to go off