“By talking through insurance requirements from every angle, we can make sure that everybody’s needs are met through the cover we arrange for them.”—Swati Kakkar, Customer Solutions Team Leader, Australian Unity
Key points
- Review your health cover at least once a year to ensure it meets your changing needs.
- Have a detailed discussion with your health insurer about any current and pre-existing health conditions, and whether you might need cover as a result.
- Look beyond hospital cover to extras that can help you take a preventative approach to managing your health.
- Make sure you support your mental health, just as you would your physical health.
Think back to your 20s. Since then, you’ve probably changed jobs, homes, hairstyles—and maybe even added some very special humans into your life. But that’s not all that’s altered as you’ve aged.
As your life has changed, so too has your health, body and mind.
It’s one of the reasons our Australian Unity insurance experts recommend reviewing your health cover regularly, so you can be confident it provides the wellbeing support you might need in your current stage in life—and as you get older.
We asked them what you need think about as you reach your 40s, 50s and 60s.
Preparing for the future
“You never know what’s waiting around the corner,” says Customer Solutions Team Leader, Swati Kakkar, “but by having a good idea of what your future health needs might look like, you can make sure you have the appropriate cover in place.”
Whether we like to admit it or not, ageing is associated with a range of conditions that might require medical attention or even hospitalisation, as well as an increased risk of developing a chronic illness such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Private health insurance helps you prepare for the future, not only by offering preventative care services, but also by helping you plan for and manage the cost of treatment.
Swati, who helps Australian Unity members get the most out of their health insurance, explains further: “Many people don't realise how much their policy actually pays out to them, and that’s because hospitals send the bill to their health insurance provider directly, without the need for you to make a direct claim. It’s often a pleasant shock when people see how much private health insurance has saved them.”
So when’s the best time to review your cover? Swati recommends taking the time to sit down and check your policy, or call your health fund, at least once a year.
Consider everything you might need
When speaking to your health insurer about your requirements, Swati recommends putting yourself at the centre of the conversation. “Have a detailed discussion about your current or pre-existing health conditions, and anything that you think might need to be covered because it’s an issue another family member has experienced, like diabetes.”
It’s also important to discuss the needs of your partner or children if you are thinking about collective cover for your household.
“By talking through insurance requirements from every angle,” says Swati, “we can make sure that everybody’s needs are met through the cover we arrange for them.”
Don’t overlook extras
Extras can offer an added level of support as you move through your 40s, 50s and 60s. “Extras are the things that you require on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis,” says Swati, “such as physiotherapy or remedial massage, dentistry, or a new prescription for your glasses.”
Having these extras included in your cover can help to promote good health, because you’re actively encouraged to attend check-ups. “Having access to these services on a regular basis through private health insurance means that any symptoms or issues that could potentially lead to a bigger problem are spotted early and, if needed, treated immediately,” says Swati.
Take a holistic approach
Taking care of your health as you get older means being prepared, but it also means taking a proactive and preventative approach. Lifestyle changes, such as increasing your fitness levels or choosing to eat a healthier diet, are good places to start. And the beauty of private health insurance is that some policies will assist you in making these changes.
Radeyan Sazzad, Manager—Health Management at Australian Unity, urges you to “utilise every part of your insurance cover by accessing subsidised weight loss and health coaching programs, for example.”
Taking a holistic approach means not just paying attention to your physical wellbeing, but also supporting your mental health as you age.
“MindStep™, our low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy program, is showing really strong results among people living with anxiety and depression,” says Radeyan. “While our health coaching program, HealthierMe™, seeks to get a complete picture of your overall health, as opposed to considering an illness or medical need in isolation.”
When checking your insurance and hospital cover meets your health needs, try to assess what areas you might need to focus on now and in the future, and find out all the ways that your provider might be able to support you. As Radeyan says: “Insurance is always there when issues arise, but if we can prevent those issues in the first place, that’s a great start.”
Swati agrees, adding: “Private health insurance gives you peace of mind that, in your hour of need—those times when you or a family member needs looking after—we’re going to be there for you.”
Disclaimer:
Information provided in this article is not medical advice and you should consult with your healthcare practitioner. Australian Unity accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions, advice, representations or information contained in this publication. Readers should rely on their own advice and enquiries in making decisions affecting their own health, wellbeing or interest.
