I know that we are off topic here as far as health insurance is concerned but I might as well add my two cents worth. Like Dingo I did not have to worry about Health Insurance for the Army was covering it whilst I was in the service. When I got out, I did not see the need for Private cover hence I accrued years and years of uncovered insurance. Eventually I joined not for my sake but for my wife for I heard the years of wait for surgery in the public system, As a result, we are paying over$ 400.00 a month for private cover. Yet, I had no problem when I was admitted to a local public hospital as an Emergency patient with severe pain in my groin which turned out to be a hernia and I was operated on the next day and I have to admit they did a wonderful job. The next time I spent 10 days in the same hospital with my heart problem they also provided excellent care, however, they have noticed that I also had private insurance and asked me do I mind if they change my status from public to private as it will not cost me anything but the hospital will be able get some extra funds from the system as I am a private patient. So it is a joke, I am paying over $400.00 a month and weather you are public or private somebody will take advantage of it. The care to me did not change...Tomorrow, I have to pay $200.00 up front called an Out of Pucket Expence before I am admitted and I might only stay for a few hours but will be admitted all the same weather for one hour or 24 the charge is the same. It is a sick joke...