Note for Migrants to Australia on Health Insurance/LHC

New migrants to Australia who become eligible for Medicare on or after 23 April 2004 do not pay a Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading if they purchase hospital cover by the later of:

* the 1 July following their 31st birthday, or

* the first anniversary of the date they became eligible for Medicare.

A couple of suggestions when it comes to selecting Private Health care in Australia:

• Consider joining Choice Australia (www.choice.com.au) , published by the non-profit Australian Consumers Association.  For about $15 per quarter you gain access to the Choice website, which includes a regular survey of health insurance funds in Australia, and a variety of online consumer reports on an enormous range of consumer products and services.  Particularly invaluable to those new to Australia and the range of brands available.

• Having reviewed the range of health insurers, and products/services available, go to iSelect’s website (www.iselect.com.au) and work your way through the online selection process. Even if you don’t choose to purchase online the process will give you a more focussed view of what exactly you are looking for in terms of health cover, and the available insurers.