Insuring your health and wellbeing

For many of us, our 20s and 30s are when our physical health is at its peak. So, do we really need health insurance when we’re young? For 33-year-old Michelle*, the answer is a definitive “yes”.

From myotherapy to major surgeries, Michelle’s story highlights how private health insurance can help us to take control of our health and Real Wellbeing, while providing extra support for life’s more unexpected moments.

Growing up with Australian Unity

Michelle has been a customer of Australian Unity since her parents took out a family policy when she was a teenager. When she turned 25 and transitioned to her own cover, she considered switching to another health insurer. However, after comparing the options, she found that Australian Unity provided the best value for her needs.

“I priced it all out, and honestly, Australian Unity was the greatest value,” she says. “I also knew I wanted to eventually get a gastric sleeve, and Australian Unity’s plan was the cheapest and offered the best coverage. Some other insurers didn’t even offer that surgery on their most expensive plans.”

Michelle has used her private health insurance regularly for years now, saving her “a lot” of money.

“I go to the dentist every six months for a clean, I get my eyes tested and a new pair of glasses every year, and I see a myotherapist every fortnight,” she says. “I also have a prescription that the PBS doesn’t cover, so I claim $50 back on that each month until I reach my annual limit.”

A trip to the emergency room

About two years ago, a month-long migraine sent Michelle to the doctor, who, after seeing the results of her blood tests, recommended that she go to the hospital immediately.

“She suggested a private hospital because I’d get in quicker and receive better care,” recalls Michelle. “I wasn’t even going to go because I didn’t think it was serious, but my mum insisted—and when I got there, I found out I had appendicitis.”

Michelle was in surgery within three hours of arriving at the hospital, and all the costs were covered by her private health insurance, aside from an emergency room fee and her excess. This experience reinforced the value of her cover, especially when she compared it to a previous visit to a public hospital, where she’d faced long waiting times and shared rooms.

“I could have gone to a public hospital and not paid anything, but I would’ve had to share a room, and as an introvert, that would have been horrible for me,” says Michelle. “The private hospital gave me my own room, the surgery was fast, and the care was amazing. Even the food was incredible, which I would never have expected from a hospital.”

A life-changing surgery

Another transformative moment in Michelle’s health journey came when she underwent weight-loss surgery. After struggling with her weight for years and reaching 149kg, Michelle knew she needed to take a more serious step.

“My doctor had tried putting me on pills, and I tried exercise and dieting, but nothing worked,” she says. “It wasn’t until my dad told me he was worried that I’d die before him that I realised I needed to do something a bit more extreme.”

While she had to pay some costs, Michelle says her insurance covered most of them—and that getting the surgery wouldn’t have been possible without it.

Since having the procedure, “I’m much happier, healthier, and more confident,” she says. “I actually go out and spend time with friends now instead of staying home, which I used to do because I was ashamed of not being able to keep up with them. So having that surgery and being part of the community again has helped my mental wellbeing, and it’s obviously helped my physical wellbeing. I'm probably going to live a lot longer.”

More younger Australians taking out private health

According to Emma Pawlowski, General Manager of Healthcare Management & Product at Australian Unity, Michelle’s decision to invest in private health insurance is part of a larger trend among younger Australians. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Australians aged 30 to 34 choosing private health insurance has been steadily increasing, she says.

“Many younger people are placing a higher priority on their health and wellbeing,” explains Emma. “And private health insurance gives them access to their chosen specialists, helps them avoid long elective surgery public waitlists, and reduces out-of-pocket costs for extras services, such as dental and optical.”

Emma also points out that Australian Unity has specifically designed its extras cover to meet the needs of younger Australians, with features like No Gap Dental and 100 percent back on optical services.

“Most insurance purchases are for peace of mind, however, health insurance is unique in that you can actually use it for extra services to access medical treatment & preventative care,” she adds.

And this is exactly why Michelle encourages younger Australians to consider taking out private health cover.

“You have to start looking after your body now to make sure that when you’re older, you aren’t falling apart,” she says. “You need to get your teeth checked, your eyes tested, and care for your muscles and bones. And I think that private health insurance is an essential part of that, because without it, you're paying so much money to keep up with all this preventative health that Medicare doesn’t cover.”

Looking ahead with Australian Unity

As Michelle looks to the future, she knows her health insurance will continue to be essential to her wellbeing. Whatever happens, and as her health needs evolve, she feels confident that Australian Unity will support her.

“I’ve seen how well Australian Unity has supported my parents with their health needs,” she says. “They’re getting older, and they go to the chiropractor a lot, and get their teeth checked every six months, and they don’t have to pay for the full fee of the appointment because it’s covered up to their annual limit. So I know I'll be taken care of.”

*Not her real name