Illness, injury and health costs

If Priya's injury had happened at work, her employer would have paid 80% for week one. Because it happened while skiing, she covers the first week with leave, then ACC pays 80% from day 8. From that point the rules are identical to a work injury.

Because of the maximum, Jack receives about 58% of his usual income, not 80%. Higher earners who want to protect the gap above the ACC cap sometimes take out private income protection insurance to top up.

Under CoverPlus Extra, Tania is paid 100% of her agreed $80,000, with no need to prove earnings from a tax return. That certainty is why many self-employed people with fluctuating income choose it, even though the levies for higher agreed cover cost more. PAYE still applies to the payments.

Jordan misses out by $384 of before-tax income. If Jordan's hours drop, or income falls for any reason, it is worth reapplying, since a card saved from a regular GP and prescription user is easily worth a few hundred dollars a year. The limit that matters is the one for your exact household situation.

Grace is not on a benefit, but as a lower-income worker she still qualifies. A few hundred dollars a year in health savings, plus half-price transport if her region takes part, makes the short online application well worth the effort.

Because the treatment is essential and within the $1,000 limit, this is a grant, not a loan. Sione still has $285 of his 52-week allowance left if he needs more essential dental work before the period resets.

ACC covers dental injuries from accidents, but it pays a set amount toward treatment, so you may have a gap if the dentist charges more. Some later work, such as a crown, a bridge or an implant to replace the tooth, needs ACC prior approval before it starts. Lodge the claim early: claims are normally made within 12 months of the injury.

Because dentists set their own fees, getting a second written quote saved Hemi $300 on one crown. Saving $140 a month ahead of time meant he avoided an interest-bearing payment plan. If the tooth had been painful and urgent, he could have asked about a plan, but planning ahead is cheaper. Try our Savings Calculator to work out a monthly target.

A standard daytime visit and a funded prescription are free for Mereana. If the doctor needed to do a minor procedure, write a medical certificate for a caregiver, or run something beyond a standard consultation, a small charge could apply. It is fine to ask at reception before the visit whether anything will be charged.

An ear infection that could wait until Monday morning would cost Sam far less at his own daytime practice, perhaps $60 rather than $80, and much less than a casual after-hours visit. Urgent care earns its higher price when you genuinely cannot wait, not for routine problems.

Margaret pays nothing, which for a hip replacement priced privately at $26,000 or more is a huge saving. Her trade-off is the wait. If the pain became unbearable, she could ask about self-pay or explore finance, but for many people the public route is the right call precisely because it is free.

David's low cost depends on two things: the condition being covered (not pre-existing or excluded) and getting pre-approval so there are no surprise gaps. His premium of about $2,160 a year is the ongoing price of that fast, low-cost access. Over years without a claim it adds up, which is the calculation every insured person weighs.

Priya's $4,800 is one eye, as a day-surgery procedure. Because she asked for all four parts in writing, there are no surprise anaesthetist or follow-up bills. She funds it from savings, avoiding interest. Had she borrowed, the true cost would be higher once interest is added.

The same knee operation from ordinary wear and tear would not be an ACC claim, it would go through the public waitlist or be paid privately. Because Jack's was an accident, ACC funds it, subject to prior approval. Lodge the claim promptly, and check any facility surcharge before you choose where to have the surgery.