The private health insurance claims to make before cover resets on January 1

Private health insurance members should be maximising their cover this month otherwise they could be dudding themselves hundreds of dollars in claims.

Millions of private health insurance members have less than three weeks to use up their extras cover before their limits reset on January 1.

Whether it’s a new set of reading glasses, massage or a dental check-up, Australians should be maximising their policies ahead of the year’s end.

Data from health comparison website iSelect found the maximum claimable benefits of their most popular combined extras policy annually is:

• Up to $1500 for singles.

• Up to $3000 for couples with a maximum claimable amount of $1500 per person.

• Up to $6000 for four people including two adults and two children.

Mum-of-three Yasmin Manttan, 53, and her three daughters, Scarlett, 20, Tia, 18, and Elle, 14, have hospital and extras cover.

Scarlett Manttan, 20, Yasmin Manttan, 53, and Tia Manttan, 18 will be making sure they use their private health insurance extras cover before it resets on January 1. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Manttan says they get good value from their private health insurance cover and she is ensuring they use up their limits before the end of the year.

“We use extras for massage, pharmaceuticals, glasses and dental,” she says.

“I always need a spare pair of glasses so I’ll get another pair before the end of the year and we’ll use up the massage.

“I definitely think it’s worth having the cover.” Manttan says they recently switched funds from NIB to HCF and they’re saving $25 a week or $1300 a year.

ISelect spokeswoman Laura Crowden says members who still have extras benefits available should use them before December 31.

iSelect spokeswoman Laura Crowden said private health insurance members should be using their extras before they reset on January 1.

“Find time to squeeze in a dental check-up, physio appointment or massage before December 31,” she says.

“Check any benefits your partner or kids may still have to ensure you’re getting the most value out of your policy.”

Health fund TUH’s executive general manager of member experience Cathy McGuane says it’s a good time to “get that new set of glasses or sunglasses provided they have prescription lenses”.

“If you need some major dental work, start now so you can take advantage of your limits this year and then again in the new year,” she says.

“Book in and get a massage so you can feel refreshed when hitting the shops.”

Latest Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority statistics show in the September quarter 13.7 million held extras cover – up from 13.6 million in September 2019.

Private health insurance members should be maximising their cover before the limit amounts reset on January 1.

HBF’s head of member propositions Blake Delcanho says December is also a good time to check what value you are getting from your health insurance policy.

“You never know what’s going to happen to your health and your health is the most important thing of all,” he says.

“Given extras reset on January 1, it’s a good time to review your cover.”

Delcanho says for most extras policies basic dental expenses are covered so it’s worth using up.

“Some health funds offer a scale and clean and a health check up so if you haven’t seen a dentist this year it’s a great time to go,” he says.

“Get in touch with your health provider whether it’s a dentist or optometrist because if you have annual limits spare and you haven’t used it they do reset.”

He says if you are not sure how much money you have left on your extras limits log onto your account online, visit the fund’s app or phone your health fund. If they have branches pop into one.

Members with hospital cover should also be aware the excess cost is paid once a year if a hospital visit is made and usually resets on January 1 too.

@sophieelsworth

EXTRAS INCLUDES:

• Dental

• Optical

• Chiropractic

• Physiotherapy

• Osteopathy

• Natural therapies

• Pharmacy medicines

• Antenatal/post-natal

•Podiatry

• Psychology

• Speech therapy

• Eye therapy

• Dietetics

• Remedial massage

• Myotherapy

* Check your individual extras cover to see what it includes