Health insurance for blood pressure monitors

How much do blood pressure monitors cost?

Home blood pressure monitors range from $39 to over $300. It may be tempting to buy a top-of-the-line model, but more expensive models aren't necessarily more effective. Traditional blood pressure monitors with inflatable cuffs tend to be the most reliable and easiest to use, and many of these are available for less than $100.

Are blood pressure monitors covered by health insurance?

If you regularly need to monitor your blood pressure at home, blood pressure monitors may be covered by your health fund. To have cover for blood pressure monitors, you will generally need to have a comprehensive extras policy. You'll also need a note from your GP proving it's required when you claim.

Your benefit for a blood pressure monitor will often be under a sub-limit for 'health appliances' or 'health monitoring equipment'. It's often bundled with other devices like CPAP machines and blood glucose monitors.

How do blood pressure monitors work?

Blood pressure monitors are appliances that can be used on your wrist or upper arm at any time. When you use a blood pressure monitor it will give you two numbers: the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when your heart beats. Diastolic is the pressure between heartbeats. As such, systolic naturally tends to be higher.

How do health insurers calculate the cover for blood pressure monitors?

The money you will get back from your health fund is generally calculated in one of three ways:

• Percentage of cost. This is where the health fund will pay you back a percentage of the monitor cost, up to a certain limit. For example 60% up to a $200 limit in year one.

• Combined annual maximum. When the health fund includes blood pressure monitors on a list of “Appliances”, the limit is the maximum combined amount you can claim for anything in that grouping.
• Individual or family allowances. Your calculation can be based on a per person or per family basis. The amount you can claim may look higher on the surface, but it could be a combined figure that applies to all members on your policy.

Terminology to watch out for:

Within the calculations, you’ll sometimes see some of the terms below. Make sure you check any conditions on your policy for the following:

• Sub-limits. A sub-limit is the maximum benefit payable in a 12-month period.
• Device limits. Appliances are often subject to additional limitations which are either a maximum claim limit over a period of years or a lifetime limit. These often change over the course of a policy, for example you may be eligible to claim an extra 10% back each year you have the cover.
• Lease and repair cover. Some policies cover the cost of temporarily leasing a blood pressure monitor or paying for device repairs if your current device is damaged.
• Reimbursement amount. This is the amount that will be paid out for a blood pressure monitor.
• Waiting periods. The waiting period is the amount of time you will have to hold your policy before you’re able to make a claim, typically 12 months.

Although blood pressure monitors are generally only covered by comprehensive extras plans, there are some more affordable extras policies available that will also include cover for them.

You can also view side by side how each policy stacks up based on the first year’s limit per person for blood pressure monitors.

FAQs

• Does private health insurance cover the cost of a blood pressure monitor?

  Yes, private health insurance can cover blood pressure monitors, so long as you opt for a comprehensive extras policy and meet certain requirements. Blood pressure monitors will often be under a sub-limit for 'health appliances' or 'health monitoring equipment'. You'll typically need a note from your GP outlining your need for the machine before you can make a claim.

• What is the waiting period for claiming a blood pressure monitor through private health insurance?

  While waiting periods will depend on the insurer, you'll typically need to wait 12 months before you can make a claim.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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