How to make the most of health insurance

Like to get the most out of your health cover? From quotes to claim time, and year after year, there are some key things you can do.

Find fit-for-purpose health cover

Not all health insurance policies are created equal. So, how do you go about finding ‘the one’ for you? Here are some questions to start off with:

What do you need health cover for? Some people use it to cover the cost of specialist visits, diagnostics and surgeries; others also include everyday medical cover for more comprehensive protection. Also, some policies provide coverage for non-Pharmac treatments and/or cancer: is that something you may want?
What's your budget? It's important to choose an option that sits comfortably in your budget, while also considering the potential cost of not having health insurance. Unfortunately, even small surgeries can easily add up to thousands of dollars.
How big is your rainy-day fund? When selecting your insurance excess, think about how much you can afford to pay upfront for an unexpected medical expense. Can you increase the excess and lower your premiums?
Is the cover future-proof? When comparing options, make sure you factor in both your current and (potential) future needs.

You can use our handy quote compare tool to get started. Once you've found an option you like, it only takes a few clicks to start your application.

Understand how it all works

The best way to use a tool is if you know that tool inside out. Well, the same goes for health insurance, and your policy documents contain everything you need to know.

Not quite sure what to look for? Here's a checklist for you:

Premium: How much you're paying on a regular basis.
Excess: What amount you'll have to pay towards the overall cost of each insurance claim (the lower the excess, the higher your premiums are).
Benefit limits: What's covered and up to what amount (per annum, per claim, or per lifetime). Many people don't take full advantage of the benefits offered by their health cover simply because they don't know they exist.
Exclusions: What's not covered, either permanently or temporarily. For example, you may have exclusions due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Need help navigating the small print? Give us a call on 0800 800 400 or contact us here. We know insurance policies like the back of our hands and can answer any questions you may have.

Unsure if you can claim? We can tell you

A great reason to contact our advisers is to check if you can claim on your cover. No matter how seemingly insignificant a medical event might be, there may be a benefit you're overlooking. And we're here to help you avoid just that.

Don't set and forget

As your life or health changes, so may your insurance needs. By regularly reviewing your cover, on your own or with the help of a LifeDirect adviser, you can make sure that everything is as it's supposed to be. Plus, an insurance review can be an opportunity to get a refresher on what's covered and what's not.

Make prevention your priority

Prevention - it's the best medicine. And depending on your health insurance policy, you may have certain health checks included or offered at a discount through affiliated providers.

From eye tests and dental checks through to skin checks and breast cancer screenings, early detection can make a whole lot of difference. Here's a list of essential checks for your health ‘warrant of fitness’.

Don't miss out on other perks

Apart from health screening and diagnostics, your health insurance may offer extra benefits to boost your well-being.

The range of benefits varies widely from insurer to insurer, and from policy to policy. It could be things like cover for mental health consultations, nutrition consultations, or alternative treatments like acupuncture. Some insurers even provide their customers with gym and sports bonuses.

Click here to learn more, or get in touch if you'd like to know what you have access to with your policy.