This post is for new migrants who are over 30 years old.
Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) is a Government initiative designed to encourage people to take out hospital insurance earlier in life and to maintain their cover.
If you take out private insurance after 30 years old, then you will pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading on top of the premium of any hospital cover you may later purchase.
If you do not have hospital cover with an Australian registered health fund on the 1st of July following your 31st birthday and then decide to take out hospital cover later in life, you will pay a 2% loading on top of your premium for every year you are aged over 30.
For example, if you take out hospital cover at age 40 you will pay 20% more than someone who first took out hospital cover at age 30. The maximum loading is 70%.
Once you have paid a LHC loading on your private hospital insurance for 10 continuous years, the loading is removed as long as you retain your hospital cover.
If you are a new migrant to Australia aged over 31, then you have one year from the date you were registered for Medicare benefits to purchase private hospital cover without incurring a loading. You can check with Medicare to confirm what date you registered for LHC purposes.
If you know you have medical conditions that may require medical attention later, get a private health insurance as early as possible.
I'd like to share my personal experience. We arrived Sep 2010. I got my private health insurance from Medibank 12 Jan 2011. I had no signs nor symptoms but back in the Phils I had an irregular ECG result. I saw a cardio in Jul 2011. I passed the stress test with flying colours. My ECG results were good. The cardio was happy with the results until I told him of my strong family history of heart problems. He became a "healthy" paranoid. He booked me for a CT coronary angiogram. He was not happy with the results so he booked me for the conventional angiogram. All these were covered by Medicare. After the angiogram, a NSW health worker talked to me as I was lying in the recovery room. She told me I had 3 blocked arteries and I need a bypass. Coming from a family whose history in heart problem was very strong, my only question was "is it covered?". The reason was when my brother had his bypass in Manila many years ago, he had to sell his house and lot. I was told Medicare covers for the expense. But because I have Medibank, I went to a private hospital, chose my own surgeon (one of the best in Australia as recommended by my cardio), chose my own schedule (because my condition was not an emergency situation) and I only paid for $275 when I got admitted to the hospital. $250 as my share per my Medibank plan and $25 for Foxtel. All else was paid for by Medicare and Medibank. No gap. I had a triple heart bypass in Jan 2012. If I were in the Philippines, I would not have undergone the surgery because of the cost. Btw, my surgery was a week after the 1 year waiting period since I got the insurance. Who would have thought I would need it that soon? You'll never know.
If I had no private health, I would still be able to get the surgery at no cost. The only disadvantage is, I would have been in a public hospital, i cannot choose my surgeon and I will have to wait until I can get a schedule.
Hope you learn something from my experience. Thanks for reading.
Comments
Posts: 5,037Member, De-activated
Joined: Feb 23, 2012
im sure you are back on track now...
Sep 24, 2011 - IELTS (L-8 R-8 W-8 S-7.5 : OBS-8)
Jan 04, 2012 - EA application submitted | Feb 23, 2012 - EA assessment result (IE ANZSCO 233511)
May 8, 2012 - Lodged GSM 175 online application | June 4, 2012 - CO Allocated
June 22, 2012 - Medicals Finalized | Aug 30, 2012 - PCCs Completed (PH, UAE, USA)
Sep 3, 2012 - Visa Granted (IED Jun 11, 2013) Thank You Lord!
Oct 16-28, 2012 - Initial Entry Completed - Sydney
July 28, 2013 - Final move to Perth
Sep 9, 2013 - Started work with the same company i worked for in UAE/USA
Oct 28, 2013 - Moved to another company..
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Joined: Jan 31, 2013
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Joined: Aug 23, 2013
Posts: 255Member
Joined: Mar 05, 2013
March 2012-IELTS results! | 31 January 2013-Skills assessment "Successful" , EOI submitted in Skillselect |14 March 2013- SS WA approved! |30 April 2013-Lodged Visa190 | 3 May 2013-Uploaded documents | 22 May 2013-CO allocated |2 July 2013 -Medicals done |12 July- Uploaded SG PCC | 28 Aug 2013 - VISA GRANT!
Posts: 471Member
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Nov 2012 ACS Assessment positive results (analyst programmer)
Dec 2012 IELTS results
July 4, 2013 Sent docs thru courier (door to door)
July 8, 2013 received ack letter from nsw
July 29, 2013 received skillselect invitation
July 31, 2013 received ss approval
Aug 11, 2013 lodged visa
Aug 22, 2013 medicals slec global (uploaded: Aug 24 Son; Aug 27 wife; Aug 28 primary applicant)
Sept 2, 2013 completed upload of docs including NBI clearances, Forms 80 and 1221
Sept. 12, 2013 CO assigned from Adelaide (Team 6, MB)
Sept. 13, 2013 (Uploaded additional docs: diploma of secondary applicant)
Sept 18, 2013 medicals referred to MOC according to CO
Sept 24, 2013 medicals finalised
Sept 25, 2013 visa grant (IED Aug 23, 2014)! Thank you Lord!
Do your best and God will do the rest
Posts: 5,037Member, De-activated
Joined: Feb 23, 2012
thanks.
Sep 24, 2011 - IELTS (L-8 R-8 W-8 S-7.5 : OBS-8)
Jan 04, 2012 - EA application submitted | Feb 23, 2012 - EA assessment result (IE ANZSCO 233511)
May 8, 2012 - Lodged GSM 175 online application | June 4, 2012 - CO Allocated
June 22, 2012 - Medicals Finalized | Aug 30, 2012 - PCCs Completed (PH, UAE, USA)
Sep 3, 2012 - Visa Granted (IED Jun 11, 2013) Thank You Lord!
Oct 16-28, 2012 - Initial Entry Completed - Sydney
July 28, 2013 - Final move to Perth
Sep 9, 2013 - Started work with the same company i worked for in UAE/USA
Oct 28, 2013 - Moved to another company..
Posts: 36Member
Joined: Aug 23, 2013
@lock_code24, i recall before ako nag signup, sa iselect.com.au ako nagcompare ng rates. and finally chose Medibank kase me tie up ang company namin with them kaya me discount. have a look at iselect website and compare mo kung anong requirements mo. i heard HCF is good as well.
Posts: 41Member
Joined: Oct 04, 2012
this is applicable to my case na mag iinitial entry palang. i was thinking of not registering with Medicare muna because of the 12-month period na klangan na makakuha ng private insurance pra di magkaroon ng LHC
excerpt from their website : http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/incentivessurcharges/lifetimehealthcover.htm
New migrants to Australia - as a new migrant to Australia, if you are aged 31 or over, you will not have to pay a Lifetime Health Cover loading if you take out private hospital insurance within 12 months of being registered for Medicare. However if you are subsequently overseas on the day 12 months after your Medicare registration, and if you registered with Medicare on or after 1 July 2009, then you will not have to pay a Lifetime Health Cover loading if you purchase hospital cover within 12 months of your return to Australia.
After this time you will have to pay 2% more for each year you are aged over 30 when you take out private health insurance.
Oct 23 2012 Submitted Vetassess Assessment online
Oct 29 2012 Vetassess Acknowledgement
Jan 17 2013 Vetassess Positive Assessment
Feb 2 2013 IELTS L-8/R-9/W-7/S-7 OBS 8
Feb 17 2013 Submit EOI
Feb 18 2013 Invited to apply for visa 189
Feb 25 2013 Lodged Visa Application
Mar 23 2013 Medicals done
April 2 2013 NBI
April 10 2013 CO Allocated - Team 6 Adelaide
April 12 2013 NBI uploaded
April 13 2013 Visa Grant!!!!
IED - April 2 2014
Posts: 599Member
Joined: Jan 13, 2011
05/17/11 - ACS favorable result released for my husband's skills assessment nominated job-261311 Analyst Programmer.
12/10/11 - Hubby IELTS first take at BC result L & R-5.5, W & S-6.0 OBS=6.0 retake!!!
12/30/11- Hubby registered at 9.0 Niners.
03/15/14 - Hubby's comeback at 9.0 Niners preparing for IELTS test. Second attempt for Australian visa.
05/12/14 - Complete uploading of ACS skills assessment required documents and payment made thru direct deposit.
05/12/14 - ACS assessment application received.
07/02/14 - ACS skills assessment result suitable ANZCO code 262113 Systems Administrator as recommended by CO for hubby's job description rather than ANZCO 261311 Analyst Programmer the first ACS ANZCO result suitable released in 2011. I conclude ACS reclassifies ICT Occupations.
- Work exp. 12yrs. less 6yrs deduction by ACS.
- Educ. Qualification assessed as AQF Associate Degree major in computing for a 4yr. course BS. Computer Science in a section 2 school.
Posts: 599Member
Joined: Jan 13, 2011
05/17/11 - ACS favorable result released for my husband's skills assessment nominated job-261311 Analyst Programmer.
12/10/11 - Hubby IELTS first take at BC result L & R-5.5, W & S-6.0 OBS=6.0 retake!!!
12/30/11- Hubby registered at 9.0 Niners.
03/15/14 - Hubby's comeback at 9.0 Niners preparing for IELTS test. Second attempt for Australian visa.
05/12/14 - Complete uploading of ACS skills assessment required documents and payment made thru direct deposit.
05/12/14 - ACS assessment application received.
07/02/14 - ACS skills assessment result suitable ANZCO code 262113 Systems Administrator as recommended by CO for hubby's job description rather than ANZCO 261311 Analyst Programmer the first ACS ANZCO result suitable released in 2011. I conclude ACS reclassifies ICT Occupations.
- Work exp. 12yrs. less 6yrs deduction by ACS.
- Educ. Qualification assessed as AQF Associate Degree major in computing for a 4yr. course BS. Computer Science in a section 2 school.
Posts: 1,074Member
Joined: Apr 17, 2013
Occupation: Software Engineer (ANZSCO Code 261313)
Main applicant : Husband
April 29, 2013 : ACS Skills assessment
July 22, 2013 : ACS assessment result
January 3, 2014: IELTS Result (Take 1 L-8,W,R,S-7)
January 12, 2013: Lodged EOI (65points)
January 13, 2013: Invited to apply for visa 189
February 9, 2014: Lodged visa
March 1, 2014: Medicals at NHSI
March 6: email from CO requesting form 80 and hubby's NBI Clearance
March 25, 2014: visa grant. Thank you lord
June 8,2014: Hubby arrived in Sydney
Sept 11,2014: Hubby's first day of work. Thank you Lord!
Feb 7, 2015 : Baby and I arrived in Sydney
April 13, 2015: My first day of work
Posts: 403Member
Joined: Nov 21, 2013
Sa mga recent migrants, baka may pwedeng mag-share ng related experiences nila rito.
Occupation: Other Spatial Scientist (ANZSCO Code 232214)
30 Nov 2013 - IELTS Academic R8.5 W8 L8.5 S9 / Overall 8.5
10 Feb 2014 - Skills Assessment (VETASSESS)
23 May 2014 - VETASSESS Outcome: Positive
27 May 2014 - EOI (70 points)
9 Jun 2014 - Visa invitation received, application lodged (SI189)
2 Jul 2014 - CO allocation
6 Aug 2014 - Visa granted (IED 4 Jul 2015)
11 Oct 2014 - Moved to Sydney
20 Oct 2014 - Job offer
29 Oct 2014 - Start of work
17-26 Dec 2014 - Dog at Sydney quarantine
24 Dec 2014 - Partner's initial entry (Maligayang Pasko!)
16 May 2017 - Purchase first property
17 Oct 2018 - Citizenship application lodged (Council: City of Sydney)
8 Jul 2019: Test invite
20 Aug 2019: Test: (originally 20/9/19)
21 Aug 2019: Citizenship Approved
31 October 2019: Citizenship Ceremony 🇦🇺
Posts: 4,336Member
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
If you are a new migrant to Australia aged over 31, then you have one year from the date you were registered for Medicare benefits to purchase private hospital cover without incurring a loading. You can check with Medicare to confirm what date you registered for LHC purposes.
Primary Applicant: Wife
Accountant (General): 221111
04 Aug 2012 - IELTS (Academic Module)
07 Aug 2012 - IELTS (Academic Module) Speaking Part
17 Aug 2012 - IELTS Results (L: 8.5 R: 8.5 W: 7.0 S: 7.5 OBS: 8.0)
24 Aug 2012 - CPAA Submitted (docs mailed same day via SG EMS)
25 Sep 2012 - Received +Skills Assessment from CPAA
25 Sep 2012 - Lodged EOI Application with 70pts
30 Sep 2012 - Invited by DIAC to apply for 189 Visa
01 Oct 2012 - Submitted 189 Visa Application
20 Oct 2012 - Medical Examinations
23 Oct 2012 - CO Assigned; Team 7 - SA
05 Nov 2012 - Submitted SG PCC and NBI Clearance
06 Nov 2012 - Visa Granted (IED: 23/10/2013)
03 Apr 2013 - Flight to MEL
03 Jun 2013 - started work
12 Jun 2013 - wife started work
15 Jun 2016 - applied for citizenship
29 Jul 2016 - citizenship examination
20 Oct 2016 - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!
Posts: 1,074Member
Joined: Apr 17, 2013
Occupation: Software Engineer (ANZSCO Code 261313)
Main applicant : Husband
April 29, 2013 : ACS Skills assessment
July 22, 2013 : ACS assessment result
January 3, 2014: IELTS Result (Take 1 L-8,W,R,S-7)
January 12, 2013: Lodged EOI (65points)
January 13, 2013: Invited to apply for visa 189
February 9, 2014: Lodged visa
March 1, 2014: Medicals at NHSI
March 6: email from CO requesting form 80 and hubby's NBI Clearance
March 25, 2014: visa grant. Thank you lord
June 8,2014: Hubby arrived in Sydney
Sept 11,2014: Hubby's first day of work. Thank you Lord!
Feb 7, 2015 : Baby and I arrived in Sydney
April 13, 2015: My first day of work
Posts: 403Member
Joined: Nov 21, 2013
Occupation: Other Spatial Scientist (ANZSCO Code 232214)
30 Nov 2013 - IELTS Academic R8.5 W8 L8.5 S9 / Overall 8.5
10 Feb 2014 - Skills Assessment (VETASSESS)
23 May 2014 - VETASSESS Outcome: Positive
27 May 2014 - EOI (70 points)
9 Jun 2014 - Visa invitation received, application lodged (SI189)
2 Jul 2014 - CO allocation
6 Aug 2014 - Visa granted (IED 4 Jul 2015)
11 Oct 2014 - Moved to Sydney
20 Oct 2014 - Job offer
29 Oct 2014 - Start of work
17-26 Dec 2014 - Dog at Sydney quarantine
24 Dec 2014 - Partner's initial entry (Maligayang Pasko!)
16 May 2017 - Purchase first property
17 Oct 2018 - Citizenship application lodged (Council: City of Sydney)
8 Jul 2019: Test invite
20 Aug 2019: Test: (originally 20/9/19)
21 Aug 2019: Citizenship Approved
31 October 2019: Citizenship Ceremony 🇦🇺
Posts: 4,336Member
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
If you are a new migrant to Australia aged over 31, then you have one year from the date you were registered for Medicare benefits to purchase private hospital cover without incurring a loading. You can check with Medicare to confirm what date you registered for LHC purposes.
hope this helps!
Primary Applicant: Wife
Accountant (General): 221111
04 Aug 2012 - IELTS (Academic Module)
07 Aug 2012 - IELTS (Academic Module) Speaking Part
17 Aug 2012 - IELTS Results (L: 8.5 R: 8.5 W: 7.0 S: 7.5 OBS: 8.0)
24 Aug 2012 - CPAA Submitted (docs mailed same day via SG EMS)
25 Sep 2012 - Received +Skills Assessment from CPAA
25 Sep 2012 - Lodged EOI Application with 70pts
30 Sep 2012 - Invited by DIAC to apply for 189 Visa
01 Oct 2012 - Submitted 189 Visa Application
20 Oct 2012 - Medical Examinations
23 Oct 2012 - CO Assigned; Team 7 - SA
05 Nov 2012 - Submitted SG PCC and NBI Clearance
06 Nov 2012 - Visa Granted (IED: 23/10/2013)
03 Apr 2013 - Flight to MEL
03 Jun 2013 - started work
12 Jun 2013 - wife started work
15 Jun 2016 - applied for citizenship
29 Jul 2016 - citizenship examination
20 Oct 2016 - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!
Posts: 1,074Member
Joined: Apr 17, 2013
Occupation: Software Engineer (ANZSCO Code 261313)
Main applicant : Husband
April 29, 2013 : ACS Skills assessment
July 22, 2013 : ACS assessment result
January 3, 2014: IELTS Result (Take 1 L-8,W,R,S-7)
January 12, 2013: Lodged EOI (65points)
January 13, 2013: Invited to apply for visa 189
February 9, 2014: Lodged visa
March 1, 2014: Medicals at NHSI
March 6: email from CO requesting form 80 and hubby's NBI Clearance
March 25, 2014: visa grant. Thank you lord
June 8,2014: Hubby arrived in Sydney
Sept 11,2014: Hubby's first day of work. Thank you Lord!
Feb 7, 2015 : Baby and I arrived in Sydney
April 13, 2015: My first day of work
Posts: 123Member
Joined: Sep 29, 2012
Jan 2014 - IED
Thank you Lord
Posts: 168Member
Joined: Apr 06, 2014