Looking after your health and wellbeing is one of the main reasons most of us have private health insurance.
Whether it’s a regular physio appointment or making sure the kids have their dental check-ups, your Extras cover is your ticket to staying well.
With a little planning, you’ll be in control of your health and wellbeing while also getting great value from your RT Health Extras cover. We’ve put together five simple ideas on how you can get the best value out of your Extras.
Choose the cover that works for you
The first step to getting the most out of your Extras is to make sure you have the right level of cover.
If you’re not claiming for some services, it may be time to consider another one of our covers that’s better suited to your current needs.
This may also be an opportunity to do a little ‘health planning’ to schedule in some routine appointments.
We all know after COVID we’re adjusting to our new normal. So, now may be the perfect time to invest some time in creating new health habits for yourself and those closest to you.
Similarly, if you’re quickly using up your limits, or you think you’d like to get higher benefits, it’s worth considering a higher level of cover.
If you generally use up your limits on important benefits before June each year, you may benefit from a higher level of cover.
Check out our Extras Cover Guides in the ‘Understanding Your Cover’ section of our website, to see which level of cover suits you best.
If you’re interested in looking at your Extras options, we’re here to help. Just call our friendly team on 1300 886 123 and we can chat about how we can help.
Know when your limits reset
Any unused annual limits don’t carry over, so if you need or want particular services, make sure you use them.
For RT Health members, most annual limits reset on 1 January.
It’s worth planning ahead a few months before the end of the year to check how much is remaining in your limits, and book in your appointments to make sure you’re staying on top of your health and getting the most from your health cover.
Know what you’re covered for
Make sure you know which treatments and services you’re covered for and how much you can claim.
Understanding your cover will help you avoid unexpected costs, and you might discover benefits you’d like to use to stay fit, healthy and active.
Cover guides for each of our Extras covers are located on our website under ‘Your Cover’ and ‘Understanding Your Cover’.
They’re available 24/7, so it’s worth taking the time to look at your benefits and plan around services and treatments you’d like to use.
Check your providers
Getting the care you need and want is important.
If you’ve found a dentist, optometrist or other care provider who provides you with great service, please stick with them.
You have the freedom and flexibility to see the Extras providers you prefer, when you want.
We’ll pay benefits on services (up to your annual limits) provided by any registered provider. However, we do have preferred provider agreements in place for our members.
These agreements lower the out-of-pocket cost of your care (and in some cases there’ll be no cost) for RT Health members.
So, it’s worth checking out our range of dental and optical providers listed under the ‘Health Services’ section of our website to see if there’s one in your area.
Generally, we will pay benefits for healthcare services provided by:
- dentists registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- registered optometrists or ophthalmologists
- natural therapists registered with the Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG).
The ARHG ensures that alternative providers have full and proper qualifications and belong to an accredited industry association, which is important to ensure our members are accessing the best quality care.
If you go to an alternative provider who is not registered with the ARHG, we won’t be able to pay benefits for your treatment. This is the easiest way we can ensure your treatment is being provided by a safe and qualified professional.
Be proactive with your wellbeing
While many people know the ‘standard’ services to claim like optical, dental, physio and chiro, there’s so many more items included in Extras cover that you can use.
You may not know that there’s a long list of services that can help you take a proactive approach to your health and wellbeing.
For instance, your cover may also include exercise classes and gym memberships, alternative therapies, quit-smoking support and more.
Some examples of being proactive with your wellbeing may be:
- treating yourself to a remedial massage
- trying a specialist or alternative therapy
- booking a consultation with a dietitian
- kicking the habit e.g. nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). You’ll just need a supporting letter from your medical practitioner).
If you’re looking at starting a new approach to your fitness, you may also be able to claim towards the cost of your gym membership. All you’ll need is a letter from a medical practitioner stating the condition you are attending the gym for. It’s also worth checking out that the gym you’ve chosen is registered with AUSactive. That way, you’ll be sure we’re able to pay your claim.