Okay so today I have a guest post from a representative of Choosi. And a giveaway courtesy of Bisolvon.
First up, who is Choosi? Choosi “provide information to help you compare, choose and apply for insurance online and over the phone. Choosi isn’t an insurer. We do work with several insurance companies so we can make their policies available to you.”
I received a brochure in the mail this week from the Australian Government outlining “Important changes to the private health insurance rebate and Medicare levy surcharge”.
Instead of trying to explain, I thought someone who can explain it clearer would be better use of this space.
When looking for the right insurance policy for you, your partner or your family, it pays to go to someone like Choosi to find the best possible deal. However, there are often so many changes in the law regarding health cover that you have to keep up with any upcoming changes all the time, as they can affect what you need to do in order to get a good level of insurance. Starting on July 1st, the Australian government have introduced means testing of the Private Health Insurance Rebate.
Single people earning under $84000 a year and families and couples earning less than $168000 annually are unaffected by the changes, but for those who are, there are significant changes. Families and singles exempt from paying the Medicare Levy surcharge if they’re not privately insured get a rebate of 30%.
Three new tiers of rebates have now been introduced, those in Tier 1 ($84,001-97,000 for singles, $168,001-194,000 for families/couples) get a 20% rebate, while people with Tier 2 incomes ($97,001-130,000 for singles, $194,001-260,000 for families and couples) have a rebate level of 10%. Meanwhile, those in Tier 3 earning over $130,001/260,001 don’t get a private health insurance rebate. In addition singles and couples in tiers 2 & 3 will be subject to a higher Medicare Levy Surchange (1.25% and 1.5% respectively) if they don’t have private health insurance. So no matter what tier you are n there is a fairly strong incentive to be covered.
There are variables for age, as the rates stated apply to those under 65. People aged 65-69 can add an extra 5%, while those over 70 get a further 10%. While these changes are important, they’re unlikely to affect the premiums of most people. However, there are a few things you may need to do when the new rebates take effect.
If you want to find out whether the changes will affect you, you can visit the Choosi website here where they have an easy to use calculator to explain what rebate you’re now entitled to and any further action you need to take.
Now for the giveaway. In Australia we’re smack bang in the middle of winter and flu season. Have you suffered this winter? I have. My youngest contracted croup and it was not fun. How did he catch it? Well, his older brother was home with the flu and a cough the previous week. That may have been it. But I’m not sure.
You can visit the Bisolvon website for tips on coughing etiquette (in the I Hate Coughing section) like you should wash your hands after coughing or sneezing into them. Or even better, cough into your elbow.
Bisolvon also have tips on complimentary care in their Get Well Soon section. And with that I am giving a way a gorgeous teapot and mug from Ambrosia, Strawberry Sensation Tea from T2, Lipgloss from Body Shop and Bisolvon Hand wipes.
You could win this prize!!!
To enter the competition just comment below explaining to me what man flu is and does it actually exist in this? Have you any experience with man flu? Is it different to regular flu?
Now as much as I’d like you to either subscribe to my blog, or like my fan page on Facebook, subscribe to my Youtube channel or follow me on Twitter, none of those things will be necessary to enter the competition.
Winner will be picked on Monday 23 July 2012 using random.org
I was not paid to from either Choosi or Bisolvon but I did receive my very own Strawberry Winter Warmer pack as featured in the picture from Bisolvon.
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Hi Maria, We haven’t had manflu here for a long time… I banned it!!
No seriously, my Mr has a habit of just going to bed and sleeping when he is unwell. He just sleeps until he’s better. Easy to look after! he doesn’t like lounging around in bed during the day – how weird is that, I’d love to!
Shhh…. none of my family has been sick this winter…. but I’m whispering as I don’t want to tempt fate.
PS I need a cup of strawberry tea right now!
My husband doesn’t get man flu. He never gets sick. Except when he does and gets glandular fever and winds up in hospital with a split spleen. Yup, but it’s not man flu!
Hey Maria! <3
When my father-in-law gets the flu it's like the zombies attacked our town, an earthquake happened and the power went out. Everyone has to take care of themselves in order not to catch it from him. And don't you dare to say you forgot to take your vitamins that day!
I am actually glad he is that way because the little ones spend quite a bit of time at his house. So yeah, his version of man flu is intense!
My WIFE got the manflu this Winter! It was really strong flu that knocked her out. She was down for a full week in bed. Luckily she didn’t grow hairs on her chest, which I heard can happen with some strains of the manflu. I need a cup of tea after running the house, the kids & the dog!
http://manflu.info/ – Someone’s already documented everything you need to know about man flu. Entertaining and quite comprehensive!
From my own experience: DH ended up in hospital on Australia Day this year to be rehydrated after suffering a rather severe case of man flu. A week later kids were back at school while Mummy had it, did the world stop? I think not…
Man flu – is when one catches a regular flu/cold then precedes to liken ever ache,pain,sneeze & cough to mean the end of their life. “Man flu” is not gender specific,however males do seem to be hit worse by “it” thus why the honour of the illness namesake. Please note I use the term “illness” very loosely as most symptom are meat figments of the effected persons imagination.
Man flu can also be found in teenagers from Monday-Friday between 8:30am to 4pm.also those among us who love to over dramatise everything in their lives seem to be hit with this illness over the winter months.
I find the cure for man flu to be 1-2 days of “humouring” the effected individual,as they may actual have a cold/flu, and at least 3-4 days of openly mocking said person in the hopes the wake up to themselves and realise its just a cold/flu not the bubonic plague
Please note sympathy and pandoring to said effluction will result in Man flu hitting your loved one more seriously next time. Tough love!
The”man flu” is a flu that women catch and still soldier on through the day as close to normal as possible. This same flu however requires that men take themselves to bed until “better”. ^-^
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your comments. I just did the draw using Random.org I couldn’t copy the image to show you the results. The only thing I could copy was the text and the winner is Seana. The very first comment.
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 7
Result:
1
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Love & stuff
Mrs M