Health of the Sexes

4th October 2013

Health of the Sexes

People need to protect themselves for the medical claims they’re most likely to make – that’s the recommendation from New Zealand’s largest health insurer, Southern Cross.

Southern Cross has released the top five surgical claims for men and women in each age band from 20 years to 70 and over – and figures show that males and females have very different requirements when it comes to claiming for healthcare services.

Peter Tynan, Southern Cross Health Society Chief Executive, says the claims highlight the need for those taking out health insurance to check that their policy covers them for what they’re most likely to need.

And each sex has their own distinct set of health complaints. For example, in their twenties and thirties males claim the highest amounts for hernia repairs and endoscopic sinus surgeries while, in the same age bracket, claims costs for females are predominantly for endometriosis, the freeing of abdominal adhesions and ovarian cyst surgeries.

“Men, in particular those in their 20s and 30s, think they’re invincible but I think information like this goes to show that no one’s immune from developing condition’s that require surgical treatment,” says Tynan.

And it’s when a person goes under the knife that treatment gets really pricey. While surgical procedures only account for 7% of Southern Cross’ claims, they make up around 75% of costs. Common procedures such as endometriosis surgery and hernia repairs can range in cost between $7,000 and $9,500 while more complex procedures, such as knee and hip replacements, can be upwards of $20,000.

Tynan points out that health insurance is one area where policy holders really get what they pay for and advises purchasers to carefully check what they are covered for, particularly if they looking to change insurers or going for cheaper policies.

“It’s wasted money to under insure - just like you wouldn’t want to insure your house and find that the policy just covers the letter box, you need to be careful with your level of health coverage.

“Health insurance is long-term insurance. You need to find a policy that suits your needs and a stable, financially strong insurer that can provide multiple plans. There is no use looking to change insurers once a pre-existing health condition has been developed.”

Top procedures by paid total from Jan 2012 to December 2012

Top 5 procedures 20-29 age band
Women | Men
Removal of teeth | Removal of teeth
Endometriosis surgery Excision skin lesion
Freeing abdominal adhesions Septoplasty
Ovarian cystectomy | Hernia – inguinal repair
Excision skin lesion | Colonoscopy
|
Top 5 procedures 30-39 age band
Women | Men
Endometriosis surgery | Removal of teeth
Hysterectomy | Colonoscopy
Excision skin lesion | Excision skin lesion
Cholecystectomy | Hernia – inguinal repair
Removal of teeth | Septoplasty

Top 5 procedures 40 - 49 age band
Women | Men
Hysterectomy | Colonoscopy
Hysteroscopy D&C | Excision skin lesion
Excision skin lesion | Hip replacement
Colonoscopy | Hernia – inguinal repair
Endometriosis surgery Coronary Angioplasty

Top 5 procedures 50 - 59 age band
Women | Men
Colonoscopy | Hip replacement
Hysterectomy | Colonoscopy
Hip replacement | Excision skin lesion
Excision skin lesion | Coronary angioplasty
Knee replacement | Hernia – inguinal repair

Top 5 procedures 60 - 69 age band
Women | Men
Knee replacement | Knee replacement
Hip replacement | Hip replacement
Colonoscopy | Excision skin lesion
Cataract | Coronary angioplasty
Excision skin lesion | Colonoscopy

Top 5 procedures 70+
Women | Men
Cataract | Knee replacement
Hip replacement | Cataract
Knee replacement | Hip replacement
Excision skin lesion | Excision skin lesion
Colonoscopy | Coronary angioplasty

Ends

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