We’re currently with AA, who decided to increase prices by almost 10% for our upcoming renewal. Cove is much cheaper and has got good reviews, mainly about their website and sign up process. However I can’t find any reviews about their claims process. In the past AA has been very good for us whenever we had a claim. Anyone got experience claiming something with Cove?

  • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
    2·
    8 months ago

    Thanks for sharing this! I’m concerned about the low rating of NIB, so think we’ll switch to Southern Cross. The only annoying thing I’ve found with them is the low cancer cover ($60k for chemo, $10k for non-Pharmac). For $50 / month it can be increased to $300k cover.

    You’re right, it doesn’t make much sense to have cover for specialist. So far the couple of times we’ve had a scan/xray it was always below our excess. We mainly want to have cover for very expensive treatments.

    • Dave@lemmy.nzM
      1·
      8 months ago

      In my experience, chemo through the public system is both quick and free, with some exceptions for things like more experimental treatment or things like elective immunotherapy. But I’m not confident it would be covered anyway. I don’t know if immunotherapy counts as chemo or is covered at all. It’s something I’d be keen to understand.

      We’ve had an unfair amount of cancer in our extended family over the past few years, and largely the public system has been quick and free. But there has also been a good experience in the private system for those who used it.

      As I’ve mentioned, there has also been elective treatments like immunotherapy not strictly necessary, and BRAF for melanoma. These were both in the vicinity of $10k a month, but I’m not convinced it would be covered by any standard health insurence (happy to be proven wrong though).

      • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
        2·
        8 months ago

        I did a quick search and some non-pharmac medicines can cost up to $200k/year. Standard cover from SC is $10k… It’s $50 monthly extra to cover $300k.

        Not sure about the therapies you mention though. However, I think e.g. SC would be better than AA Health/NIB, so for us still worth the switch.

        Based on this article I’m not very confident in the public health system: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/10/cancer-patient-advocates-say-health-system-reforms-are-taking-far-too-long.html

        • Dave@lemmy.nzM
          1·
          8 months ago

          Do you know what the criteria are for accessing unfunded medicines privately? Is it good enough that a doctor says it would be a good idea, or does it need to be a necessary part of treatment?

          I’m keen for cover for the extra but I’ve found it hard to get info on what exactly is covered.

          • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
            2·
            8 months ago

            Yes, interesting question! I’ve asked Bing as I’m tired of reading all policies :)

            For Southern Cross Wellbeing One, the eligibility requirements for non-pharmac medicines are:

            • The medicines must be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner for the treatment of a covered condition.
            • The medicines must be Medsafe approved but not funded by PHARMAC.
            • The medicines must be administered in a recognised private hospital or by an Affiliated Provider.
            • The medicines must be covered under the Cancer Assist benefit, which has a limit of $10,000 per claims year and is subject to prior approval.

            A doctor prescription is not sufficient to claim for non-pharmac medicines. You also need to obtain prior approval from Southern Cross before you receive the treatment.

            • Dave@lemmy.nzM
              1·
              8 months ago

              It doesn’t really answer the question does it 😄. The way I read it, the medicines covered are the ones that Southern Cross agree to when you apply prior to recieving them.

              • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
                2·
                8 months ago

                I’ve read their policy for cancer cover and it’s mainly talking about which types of cancer they cover.

                • Dave@lemmy.nzM
                  1·
                  8 months ago

                  I guess the idea is that if it’s a doctor recommended treatment for a type of cancer that is covered, then you can have it covered (up to the limit). I’d be happy to not have to find out myself though 😆

                  • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
                    2·
                    8 months ago

                    Yep not willing to find out.

                    Some cancers are excluded though like skin and prostate cancer, unless it meets certain requirements.