Health insurance is an essential part of managing your healthcare costs and ensuring access to necessary medical services. While most people are familiar with hospital cover, many may not fully understand how to use their Extras cover to get the most from their cover. Utilising your Extras benefits for preventative services may help reduce the possibility of future health problems. We will explore how you can maximise your extras to get the most from your health insurance.
Understanding Extras
Extras or ancillary benefits are additional services and treatments covered by your health insurance policy. These benefits can include service like dental care, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic services and more. To maximise your extras you need to know what they cover, the benefit limits and any waiting periods associated with them.
Review your policy
The first step to making the most of your extras cover is to thoroughly review your health insurance policy. Understand what extras are included, their annual limits and any restrictions or waiting periods that may apply. This information will serve as a roadmap for effectively using these benefits.
Know your annual limits
Extras often include, or often come with annual limits, which represent the maximum benefit payable for those services in a Membership Year. It’s important to be aware of these limits and manage your visits accordingly. If you reach your limits early in the year, you may need to pay in full or postpone certain treatments or services until next year when your benefits reset. To conveniently view your annual limits why not download our Mobile App.
Schedule regular check-ups or visits
Preventative healthcare can save you money in the long run. An example would be regular dental check-ups can help catch problems early and prevent costly dental procedures in the future. The same goes for optical check ups and other preventative services covered by your extras. Make it a habit to schedule these appointments to maintain your health and maximise the value of your insurance.
Understand waiting periods
Some extras may have waiting periods before you can claim benefits. This means you’ll need to wait a specified period of time (eg. 2-6 months) from the start of your policy or the addition of extras before you can access those benefits. Plan your health care needs accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays in getting the services you need.
Use Premier Providers
Queensland Country Health Fund pay the same benefits to all recognised providers of extras services and therapies, so there's no need to change your favourite dentist or optometrist. However, we have agreements in place with certain providers under our Premier Provider Network to provide you with great discounts, so you get even more value for money.
When you visit providers in our Premier Provider Network, you'll get access to exclusive discounts and services if you have any of our extras covers. We've negotiated agreements with a number of dentists and optometrists across the State, with more being added regularly. To find out more about our providers visit queenslandcountry.health/premierprovider