This has been a big problem for years. About 10-15 years ago I had a minor operation on my nose. First I was hit with a $250 standard "excess" bill to actually enter hospital, then another $250 as they never had a 4 bed ward I was insured for and I was "upgraded" to a 2 bed ward. To rub salt in the wound, (no pun intended), the surgeon's fee was higher than the " scheduled fee" and I had to pay the excess. Despite being in Private Health cover for the previous 20 years I thought I was treated badly by them and quit in disgust.

We do not have any Private Health cover at all for the reasons that you give keandha..............Friends of ours have ben hit with gap fees which have been quite considerable here again in a similar manner to yourself...................Our local Doctor bulk bills and no payment is asked for ..........The Eye surgeon whom we visit once a year asks a $20 up front payment and his bill is often a couple of hundred and he bulk bills also



My wife had a knee replacement in a public hospital after a wait of 1 year and Dental treatment that is urgent gets looked at within a few days



I do not expect that we will join a Private fund ever again and as you can see the public system works for us very well .............and with NO high gap fees to pay and very quick treatment we are happy

I have to defend private health care - well at least HBF. I needed two hip replacements and my GP, who bulk billed, sent me to a specialist who not only was a leading surgeon in key-hole replacement but also charged the common fee. I did have an excess cover of $250, but it was only required once as both operations were undertaken during the same year. Everything for the operations - from blood tests to excellent care on both occasions in a private hospital, were fully covered by HBF. As each operation is about $20,000 I was extremely pleased we had the cover. I also recently tore cartilage in my knee and I had an MRI, three visits to the same specialist and an operation - without any additional cost.

In my mid sixties, I've just had the first biggie of my life. Cost PHI just over $10,000, cost me just under $2,000 and my annual bill (arrived today) is $2,500 for the two of us. I recall an operation my wife had around 40 years ago in which the PHI actually paid us (which is a bit silly. I assume there must have been a set amount and the doctor and hospital charged less than that). Perhaps the system should take account of people who have paid for a very long time, made little claims in that time but, as they get older, will have to make more claims at a time when they can afford it less.

Do you think then RAAF that you would have received the same care and consideration if you had not been a member of a Private fund.............????............and that you did not have to pay anything

No idea, in all honesty. After over 40 years in private funding my wife and I are too afraid to quit. Nothing to do with quality of care; all about cost.