MORE THAN HALF OF OVER-50S SHELLING OUT OVER $1,000 IN GAP PAYMENTS, DESPITE HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE

A major survey of over 15,000 Australians aged over 50 has found that 53% of them have paid in excess of $1,000 in gap payments, despite having health insurance.

Even more alarming, the survey found that 33% had paid over $2,000 in gap payments.

The survey is a part of the Great Aussie Health Check campaign, a campaign to help over-50s take back control over their health insurance and to spark competition in the market.

Lumping excessive gap payments onto the already huge health insurance bills adds insult to injury. However, the blame doesn’t sit solely with health funds. The survey found:

• 53% of over-50s blamed specialists and doctors the most for high gap payments, still

• 33% still blamed the health funds, and just

• 6% blamed the private hospitals

  The Great Aussie Health Check campaign aims to bring down the cost of health insurance by unlocking group-discounted health insurance offers for registrants.

  The campaign also wants to help raise issues over-50s could potentially face with their health insurance. Gap payments being a major one policy holders need to understand.

  Campaign spokesperson Christopher Zinn today commented on gap payments;

  “Gap payments are a very vexed issue. Each of the funds have their own gap schemes, but consumers sill need to check what they’re liable to pay.

  “Consumers should always check with the specialist about extra costs such as the anesthetist and any prosthetics, as well as get this in writing.

  Too many over-50s are blindly paying for health insurance policies without considering the kind of gap payments they could be liable for if they were to ever need their cover.”

  Joining the Great Aussie Health Check is entirely cost and obligation-free. Consumers can sign up at www.FiftyUpClub.com.au. Registration closes at midnight on 30 September 2016.

  MEDIA ENQUIRIES - David Liston, FiftyUp Club Campaigner EMAIL: David@fiftyupclub.com.au

  PHONE: 0479 146 830
  *Appendix below with Gap payment issues campaign registrants have experienced.

***APPENDIX***

“I paid about $12,000 for each hip replacement. Surgeons fees mostly.”

- Catherine, NSW

“I Can't remember exactly but no cover for advanced PRK surgery or Medicare rebate and spent over $8000.00 even though I was completely dependent on glasses and had extremely poor eyesight they consider it as cosmetic (unbelievable) - because I struggle to see... this surgery changed my life. Other people getting nose jobs changing the appearance of their faces get a bigger rebate from Medicare and cover from their health insurance!!”

- Jenny, Victoria

“I paid approximately $15,000 3 years ago for Prostate Operation”.

- Dean, QLD

“Dental cover is the killer for me. I had upper and lower All on 4 dentures inserted last year and need 6 monthly checkups and have had sleep studies (not in hospital) and this has cost me thousands outside health cover, $30,000- $40,000. My cover is only about $1000 a year. I had to wait to do this until I got my superannuation.”
- Ruth, QLD