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Podiatry Health Insurance

Name: Podiatry Health Insurance
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2023-04-19T12:39:31+09:30

Compare private health insurance quotes which cover podiatry treatment through Savvy.

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Written by , updated on July 6th, 2023

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If you suffer from any foot or ankle problems, you’ll know how much a sore foot or an ankle injury can impact your daily life. A podiatrist can help alleviate your pain and improve your mobility, which is why having private health insurance that covers podiatry treatment is really important.

You can compare a range of extras health insurance policies which include cover for podiatry visits through Savvy. By answering just a few questions about the cover you need, you'll be able to consider a range of health insurance policy quotes side-by-side instantly from a panel of leading Australian insurers. Start the process through Savvy today.

Is podiatry covered by private health insurance?

Podiatry is a medical field which specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot and ankle conditions. Podiatrists treat a variety of issues such as:

Abnormal walking patterns
Bunions
Claw toes, hammer toes and pigeon toes
Corns, calluses and blisters
Cracked heels and skin infections
Fungus infections of the nails
Ingrown toenails
Foot and ankle abnormalities and injuries
Sports injuries and stress fractures

Visits to a podiatrist are often covered by extras policies. This type of health insurance covers different types of treatments and services which are provided outside of a hospital setting and aren’t covered by Medicare.

Such a policy will often allocate annual benefit limits for several areas of community healthcare. This means that in addition to cover for podiatry, you may get a certain amount to spend on other different types of treatments, such as:

Optical
Dental
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic
Hearing aid services
Speech therapy
Nutrition and wellbeing services

The types of treatments covered, and how much you’re able to claim back, will be determined by the level of extras policy that you decide to buy. They range from inexpensive policies offering basic cover to more comprehensive policies which may offer a higher benefit limit.

When deciding if an extras policy is worth it, you’ll need to look at the annual benefits offered and consider how much of those benefit you’ll actually use versus the overall cost of the health insurance policy. If you’re looking for cover for regular podiatric appointments, it’s worth determining which policy offers the most suitable coverage in this area.

How do I compare health insurance policies which cover podiatry treatment?

When comparing different extras health care policies which cover podiatry, there are a few key questions to consider. These include:

If you visit a podiatrist regularly, is podiatry treatment sufficiently covered by the policy?
What additional healthcare services are included in the policy besides podiatry treatment? Does the policy cover other services you frequently use?
What percentage of the treatment's cost can be claimed? Are you willing to pay a higher monthly premium to receive a higher percentage of the cost back from your policy?
What are the limits for benefits for each category of treatment? Are there any lifetime or annual benefit limits that apply?
Is your podiatrist affiliated with a particular health insurer? Are there any free treatments offered by healthcare providers in your area through a specific health fund which you may find convenient?
What waiting periods are applicable before making a claim on the policy?
Does the health fund recognise any previous waiting periods you've already served so you won't have to wait if you switch funds?
Are there any special deals or offers currently available on extras health insurance, such as waived waiting periods or free weeks of coverage once you meet your insurer’s conditions?
If there are special offers such as reduced-price gym memberships or pay TV subscriptions, will you actually use these additional benefits?

When comparing different policies, it's important to remember that the cheapest policy may not always offer the best value. By asking yourself these questions and comparing the different options available, you'll maximise your chances of finding a policy which suits your needs and budget.

At Savvy, we make comparing health insurance policies easier by providing access to a range of quotes from our trusted panel of insurers. Start the comparison process through us today.

Types of health insurance

Hospital cover

This can help you pay for medical treatment if you need to be admitted to hospital. It can help cover the cost of your admission or accommodation and the fees charged by doctors, surgeons and anaesthetists. It can also cover other costs associated with a stay in a private hospital.

Extras cover

This helps cover the costs of health care treatments outside a hospital setting which aren’t covered by Medicare. This can include major and minor dental treatment, orthodontics, hearing aids, physiotherapy, glasses, contact lenses and podiatry (in most cases with annual limits).

Cover for singles

This is a standard health insurance policy designed for a single person, rather than being tailored to cater to the needs of a couple or family. It may include hospital cover plus extras, or either of these types of insurance on their own, depending on what you're after for your health cover.

Cover for families

A family health insurance policy is designed for a family unit including dependent children who may reach up to 31 years of age with some insurers. It offers private health insurance suitable for the whole family and may include shared limits for all members included in your policy.

Cover for seniors

A health insurance policy aimed at seniors is designed to appeal to people who are in the second half of their life. These are often specific Silver Plus policies that offer the same cover as other health insurance policies, with the exception that pregnancy and childbirth cover may not be included.

OVHC

Visitors who are in Australia on a temporary basis for travel, work or study may be able to take out Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Many visas issued in Australia come with a requirement to take out this type of insurance, which covers visitors who may not be covered by Medicare.

Ambulance cover

Ambulance cover is generally available either packaged into your private health insurance or on its own as a separate policy or subscription. By having this protection, you could be covered for all eligible ambulance travel in Australia (subject to your insurer's terms and conditions).

Basic hospital cover

The cheapest and most barebones form of private hospital insurance, this can include cover for rehab, in-hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. Having this policy will enable you to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

Bronze hospital cover

Bronze hospital cover is a step up from basic insurance, including 18 further clinical categories such as ear, nose and throat, bone, joint and muscle, digestive system, joint reconstructions, gynaecology and chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Silver hospital cover

Silver hospital cover is the second-most expensive type of policy and offers the second-most clinical categories. On top of what's offered by basic and bronze cover, it also includes heart and vascular system, lung and chest, blood, hearing device implantation and dental surgery.

Gold hospital cover

The highest level of private hospital insurance available in Australia, gold policies can offer cover for pregnancy and birth, weight loss surgery, assisted reproductive services and insulin pumps on top of all the categories provided by silver, bronze and basic hospital insurance.

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Frequently asked questions about podiatry health insurance

Will I be able to claim back the full cost of my podiatry treatment if I have extras cover?

Probably not, but the amount you can claim will depend on the specific health insurance policy and the provider you choose. Extras health insurance policies usually only cover a percentage of the cost of treatment up to the limit of your policy. There may also be lifetime policy limits. These limits will depend on whether you choose a basic extras policy, which will provide lower benefits, or a more comprehensive policy, which will offer a higher level of cover per podiatrist visit. For example, a cheaper policy may allow you to claim back 50% of the cost of a visit to a podiatrist, whereas a more comprehensive policy may allow you to claim up to 85% or more of the cost.

If I have to have podiatric surgery, will the cost be covered by my extras policy?

If you require surgery on your foot or ankle and wish to be treated as a private patient, you’ll require hospital cover health insurance to assist with the cost of having your surgery performed under a general anaesthetic in hospital. Extras cover will only allow you to claim for expenses occurred as an out-patient that aren’t covered by Medicare.

Can I still get podiatry health insurance if I have a pre-existing foot condition?

You can still get podiatry health insurance in Australia even if you have a pre-existing foot condition. However, there may be waiting periods or exclusions for specific treatments or services related to your pre-existing condition.

Is any of the cost of podiatric treatment covered by Medicare?

No – you'll need an extras health insurance policy to claim back any of the cost of a visit to a podiatrist. The only exception to this is if you have a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, which may allow you to have up to five visits to an allied health professional including podiatrists in one calendar year.

What’s the best way to find a health insurance policy which covers podiatry?

Comparing different policies from a variety of providers is one of the best ways to find extras cover which may be suited to you. Comparing with Savvy allows you to view multiple policies side-by-side so you’re able to more easily compare benefits, waiting periods, premium costs and more.

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Helpful health insurance guides

Looking for health insurance to cover your condition or treatment?

Read one of our helpful guides on a range of different ailments and potential hospital or extras treatments to help you find out if they're covered.

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