Health insurance for blood pressure monitors
If you have high or low blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension) a home monitor could be covered by health insurance.
Key takeaways
- Blood pressure monitors can be covered by a comprehensive extras policy.
- The amount you receive is either a cost limit or a percentage of total cost.
- Blood pressure monitors are often grouped under a 'Health Aids and Appliances' benefit, or similar.
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.
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i need a blood pressure cup to monitor my blood pressure at home my dr said it is on the high side
Hi Sadie,
Thanks for getting in touch! I hope you are well.
Sorry to hear your blood pressure is higher than normal. At this point it is good to find the right blood pressure cup for you. To gey ou started, you can review AHM or NIB above by benefit, limit, and price. You can also use the online form above to get more options. Simply enter your information and click search policies. You will be redirected to a new page where you can compare more providers.
As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki