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In Australia, having a disability doesn't stop you from taking out private health insurance. Unlike some developed nations (looking at you America), Australian health funds are required to cover people with pre-existing conditions. That means disability doesn't rule anyone out from holding a health insurance policy.
That said, pre-existing conditions do come with a different waiting period for hospital cover. Depending on what disability you have, you may have to wait 12 months to make a claim on some treatment categories, rather than the typical 2 month waiting period for health insurance.
People with disabilities will generally get their medical care the same way as everyone else, through Medicare or private health insurance. However, because people with a disability have more complex care needs, there are some additional government support schemes out there to help them. Here are a few place to get more information:
The NDIS: The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the main sources of funding for people with disabilities to get the support they need.
The Department of Social Services: This page on the DSS website has some great links to programs for people with a disability.
The Disability Gateway: Also from the DSS, the Disability Gateway is a great place to see what help is available.
"Health insurance can be really helpful for individuals with disabilities as it ensures access to crucial medical care and treatments without the stress of overwhelming costs. Understanding the specifics of your policy, such as coverage limits and the coordination with other benefits, is vital to maximise your benefits and ensure continuous care. "
While the government provides some assistance to people with disability both financially and through community support services, private health insurance can also help to relieve the burden for both people with disability and their families. Ways in which private health insurance can help can be seen in the following case studies:
Health insurance options fro people with disabilities are the same as options for those without disability. It falls into two main categories, Hospital cover and Extras cover. Here are the key differences:
Both types of health insurance can be taken out separately or, as is more often the case, combined in a single policy. Combined policies are typically offered with a choice of three main levels of cover:
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