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How to avoid Lifetime Health Cover Loading

bananapeelbananapeel SydneyPosts: 36Member
edited August 2013 in Health Care
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

  • lock_code2004lock_code2004 Perth
    Posts: 5,037Member, De-activated
    Joined: Feb 23, 2012
    @bananapeel - thanks for sharing this info..
    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.. ;)

  • bananapeelbananapeel Sydney
    Posts: 36Member
    Joined: Aug 23, 2013
    thanks @lock_code2004. i am. i was only away from work for 12 weeks, all paid leave. this was one of the blessings of Australia to me. cheers.
  • corleonecorleone Mandaluyong
    Posts: 50Member
    Joined: Jan 31, 2013
    Awesome
  • bananapeelbananapeel Sydney
    Posts: 36Member
    Joined: Aug 23, 2013
    @corleone, ang haba ng post ko one word lang ang comment mo? hehe :))
  • GoToWaOZGoToWaOZ Sydney
    Posts: 255Member
    Joined: Mar 05, 2013
    @bananapeel -Thanks for sharing po! Very helpful po sa amin ang topic na ito at ang experience ninyo since over 30 & 40 na po kami when we move to Oz next year. Definitely need to count these costs dahil priority po namin palagi ang private health insurance. It really pays to be prepared :-bd

    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!

  • bluemistbluemist Sydney
    Posts: 471Member
    Joined: Jun 24, 2013
    @bananapeel thanks po sa mga shinare ninyo mga experiences niyo.. malaking tulong po ito sa mga papunta at mga nagsisimula po diyan sa Australia. :)

    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

  • lock_code2004lock_code2004 Perth
    Posts: 5,037Member, De-activated
    Joined: Feb 23, 2012
    thanks @lock_code2004. i am. i was only away from work for 12 weeks, all paid leave. this was one of the blessings of Australia to me. cheers.
    awesome.. if you dont mind.. anu pong private insurance company ang mai-suggest nyo?
    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.. ;)

  • bananapeelbananapeel Sydney
    Posts: 36Member
    Joined: Aug 23, 2013
    no worries @bluemist. paying it forward, dami ko din natutunan before sa old forum.

    @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.
  • ozzieozzie Regina
    Posts: 41Member
    Joined: Oct 04, 2012
    guys share ko lng,

    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

  • heyits7me_magsheyits7me_mags Imus City
    Posts: 599Member
    Joined: Jan 13, 2011
    @bananapeel, pano po noong na grant kayo Ng visa did DIBP required you to have private insurance? Kasi po meron din po akong heart blockage. Last month po na angiogram npo ako. Nkita po Ng doctor 50-60% blockage on my right arteries. Hindi po malagyan ng stent Kasi insignificant pa raw po sabi ng cardiologist ko. Ang pwede raw lagyan ay Yung 70-100% blocked. I am just wondering kung i-grant pa rin kmi ng visa bec. of this and if yes, will the immigration require private health insurance? Thanks for sharing po pala, bka po nasagot nyo ang questions ko.

    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.

  • heyits7me_magsheyits7me_mags Imus City
    Posts: 599Member
    Joined: Jan 13, 2011
    Pano po payment Ng private insurance dyan usually ang magkano total coverage. Just give me po Ng estimate, thanks! :)

    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.

  • kremitzkremitz North Ryde
    Posts: 1,074Member
    Joined: Apr 17, 2013
    My husband will be turning 31 this month. Dapat napo ba sya kumuha ng private insurance before ng bday nya to avoid yung lifetime health cover loading? Or pwede pa before july 1 next year? Then kahit anong private health insurance n plan po ba kunin ok lang?

    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 :)

  • chollecholle Sydney
    Posts: 403Member
    Joined: Nov 21, 2013
    Salamat @bananapeel for starting this thread! Relevant din ito sa akin since I am arriving immediately after I turn 31 this year (sayang!). We've always had personal insurance in Singapore and we're definitely getting one when we move to Australia too.

    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 🇦🇺

  • TasBurrfootTasBurrfoot Osaka
    Posts: 4,336Member
    Joined: Feb 24, 2011
    Salamat @bananapeel for starting this thread! Relevant din ito sa akin since I am arriving immediately after I turn 31 this year (sayang!). We've always had personal insurance in Singapore and we're definitely getting one when we move to Australia too.

    Sa mga recent migrants, baka may pwedeng mag-share ng related experiences nila rito.
    Eto @cholle,

    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!!

  • kremitzkremitz North Ryde
    Posts: 1,074Member
    Joined: Apr 17, 2013
    @tasburrfoot how about sa case ng hubby ko. Mag 31 plng sya this month. When sya dapat kumuha ng private insurance?

    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 :)

  • chollecholle Sydney
    Posts: 403Member
    Joined: Nov 21, 2013
    @TasBurrfoot Thanks! Got that too from the link posted by @ozzie. Will defo look up private health cover options for when we move :)

    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 🇦🇺

  • TasBurrfootTasBurrfoot Osaka
    Posts: 4,336Member
    Joined: Feb 24, 2011
    @tasburrfoot how about sa case ng hubby ko. Mag 31 plng sya this month. When sya dapat kumuha ng private insurance?
    i dunno... as i don't know your situation (i.e when kayo dumating, etc); to reiterate:

    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!!

  • kremitzkremitz North Ryde
    Posts: 1,074Member
    Joined: Apr 17, 2013
    Ok thanks @tasburrfoot

    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 :)

  • dakzdakz Adelaide
    Posts: 123Member
    Joined: Sep 29, 2012
    hi po, question what if yong kinuha mo na private health insurance ay extras lang ang cover at walang hospital cover, magbabayad pa rin ba kami ang LHC penalty? Iniisip kasi namin eh covered naman ng medicare ang hospital so yong mga extras (dental, glasses, ambulance, etc) nlng ang kinuha namin.

    Jan 2014 - IED

    Thank you Lord :)

  • muffles127muffles127 Sydney
    Posts: 168Member
    Joined: Apr 06, 2014
    @dakz sa pagkakaindintin ko ng LHC, iccharge ka lang nun if you decided to take out hospital cover later on then over 30 ka na.
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