[Pooks*potters]

When I look online at private health, they ask if it's single, couple, family, etc. I just want to cover myself for now. So do I take out single cover? Because the single cover doesn't seem to cover everything I want.

Sorry, this is probably a dumb question. I have never had anything to do with this stuff before.

[SensibleSis]

Yes, single cover will cover just one person.

You should be able to take out a top or higher level cover type policy with a high level of cover regardless of whether you want single or family cover.

Which companies and policies are you looking at?

[Jillian_10]

This might help - http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/pub...ealth-whatisPHI

The health insurance sites aren't that helpful as they seem to emphasise the lowest possible cost for their premiums. You might also like to talk to a broker for advice.

[Pooks*potters]

Thanks ladies. Ok, I get what youu mean SensibleSis, I think I can find appropriate single cover. Far out, it is expensive.

Are those "iselect" type places worth looking at?

[SensibleSis]

iselect do not offer policies from all insurers as they must pay a commission to iselect.

I am with a smaller insurer that is not on iselect.

Take a look at www.privatehealth.gov.au - this is the government website that allows for easier comparison between insurers and policies.

Good luck! It can be very complicated!

[Maple Leaf]

Yes you would be looking at single cover.

[Soprano-Cat]

Dh works in phi. Whatever you do, go into a store for service. They can give you far more accurate advice than the phone staff, more often than not. They will often also have the authority to waive things and do funky stuff that phone staff dont have.

Dh hates the phone staff from his company -the number of basic mistakes they make is appalling

[Peanut212]

If you look at the private health insurance ombudsman website it'll have policies for all health funds (not just some like I select)

If you look at the private health insurance ombudsman website it'll have policies for all health funds (not just some like I select)

[jayskette]

FYI couples cover is for 2 people with the SAME level of cover, so I went with a single one for myself and a single one for DH (because he doesnt need pregnancy or extras) and that ended up much cheaper.

[CallMeProtart]

Dh works in phi. Whatever you do, go into a store for service. They can give you far more accurate advice than the phone staff, more often than not. They will often also have the authority to waive things and do funky stuff that phone staff dont have.

Dh hates the phone staff from his company -the number of basic mistakes they make is appalling

This must depend on the company I imagine. I was phone staff for NIB in my 'youth' and we were, if I do say it myself, excellent.
That said, we were on the 'helpline' area where existing members would call - we had a lot of problems with the sales area who would say whatever it took to get you to sign up (or occasionally take details and sign you up without permission).

But I don't think you can generalise that phone staff, in general, are bad. The team I worked in were excellent.