Health Funds and Natural Therapies – Your Choice!

Currently more than 70% of Australians use a form of natural therapy as a regular part of their overall health care, with close to 2,000,000 professional consultations conducted yearly.

A review, conducted by the Department of Health at the beginning of 2015, regarding seventeen natural therapies (aromatherapy, naturopathy, yoga and Pilates, Alexander Technique, Ayurveda, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, herbalism/western herbalism, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology, a range of massage therapy, reflexology, Rolfing and tai chi) is a real concern for those individuals who value lifestyle, diet and natural therapies as a means to achieve optimum health.

Removing many natural therapies from private health insurance will only worsen the pressure on already overburdened GPs and increase Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) costs.

It also threatens the future viability of Australian natural therapy practices and the health and the well-being of thousands of Australians who use the services.

Of 35 funds registered under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, the market is dominated by a small number of large insurers.

Medibank Private and BUPA have 54% of the market share; HCF, HBF and NIB have 26% while the remaining 20% is shared between 30 funds.

As of 31 December 2012, 47% of the Australian population had purchased a private health insurance product covering all or part of the costs related to hospital treatment, while 54% had purchased some form of ancillary (extras) cover. Natural therapies are a part of these extras.

Generally, naturopathy, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, nutrition as well as tactile therapies such as massage, reflexology and aromatherapy are all covered through private health insurance rebates.

Private health insurance providers cap the annual limit that can be claimed for natural therapy consultation. These caps depend on the level of cover – the higher the premium the higher the benefits but these are typically between $200 and $300 per year.

As a percentage of total private insurance benefit outlays, this is marginal when compared to overall benefits these services provide to health care outcomes in Australia.

Some health insurance providers offer coverage for some natural therapies  but may specifically exclude others. For example Australian Unity’s “Super Extras” cover, provides benefits for naturopathy but excludes kinesiology and shiatsu.

Comparing Apples to Oranges?

Comparing private health funds in Australia can be a confusing and frustrating experience.

For example a brief search reveals the following:

Each of the following funds have chiropractic, dietetics, acupuncture, naturopathy and remedial massage. The prices (which are inclusive of private hospital insurance) are vastly different for a family of four.

• CBHS Health Fund is $173.87 monthly plus $33.72 Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) including $67.02 Government Rebate.
• AHM by Medibank is $207.73 monthly plus $46.56 LHC including $80.07 Government Rebate.
• HCF is $226.54 monthly plus $35.62 LHC including $87.31 Government Rebate.
• CUA Health is $222.41 monthly plus $48.40 LHC including $85.72 Government Rebate.

While for a single 40 year old female:

• HCF may be cheaper at $73.98 / month with $16.45 LHC, the natural therapies extras is a poor 1/2 star out of 5 stars.

With 3.5 star rating (the highest that could be found) for natural therapies are:

• NIB  is $ 135 .19 / Month plus $27.30 LHC. A consumer gets naturopathy, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine consultations  with 60% of cost back at a limit of $300.
• health.com.au is $ 112 .41 / Month plus $24.55 LHC. A consumer gets naturopathy, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine consultations with 65% cost back with a limit of $450.
• HBF is $ 118 .95 / Month plus $16.65 LHC. A consumer gets initial and subsequent consultations at $44 with a limit of $650.

Final Word

The bottom line is that when it comes to natural therapies extras cover in private health insurance it is indeed confusing and frustrating to figure out what is and isn’t included in the policy.

Each of the registered 35 private health funds in Australia offer something different making it near impossible to accurately compare.

If natural therapies cover is important to you, do your research and make sure a health fund offers natural therapies extras coverage first.

Then check to see what is covered (for example consultation costs and how many consultations are included, the modality/ modalities you are interested in, level of coverage).

If you deem after doing all the research, that the health fund  is right for you than agree to coverage with that provider.

Remember that YOU are the consumer and you have the power to choose a policy that is right for you.

Email to a friend