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<div class="blog_content-intro">Life is busy, and it’s a common trap to assume that Medicare and private health insurance (PHI) will handle all your health costs without thinking too much about the details—but do they really?<p></p></div>
Sometimes it’s only when an accident happens that we learn the hard way where the gaps are. From out-of-pocket medical bills to all the unexpected costs of recovery, an injury can bring more expenses than most people realise.
That’s exactly why we created Flip Active and Flip Kids. Our short-term accidental injury insurance is designed to give extra protection beyond Medicare and PHI, filling the gaps with quick cash payouts so you’re covered when it counts, and can focus on bouncing back.
Here’s an in-depth look at how Flip works alongside Medicare and PHI, providing extra financial support when you need it most.
Medicare and PHI explained
The Australian healthcare system is the envy of many countries worldwide, but it’s quite complex and you need to understand how it works.
The key building blocks to understand are Medicare and private health insurance. They provide excellent support but each has limits, especially when it comes to injury recovery costs. Let’s first take a closer look at what they cover.
What’s covered by Medicare and PHI
What Medicare covers |  What PHI covers |
|---|---|
Medicare helps cover a wide range of health costs | If you have PHI, it can cover some costs that Medicare doesn’t |
 Treatment in public hospitals Treatment in public hospitals Tests like X-rays and blood tests in some hospitals Some of the costs for most prescription medication | Treatment in a private hospital A range of extras like dental, optical and physio (depending on your type and level of cover and only for some services and only up to certain limits) Ambulance cover (if you aren’t already covered by a state-based scheme) |
Medicare and PHI: what are the gaps?
On the surface, it looks like Medicare and PHI have you covered, but when you dig a little, you’ll find they don’t always include everything you might need if you’re injured, and you still might be left with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Flip offers cash payouts for accidental injuries, allowing you to cover various recovery costs that Medicare or PHI might not address. Here are some of the gaps you can use your Flip cash payout towards.
Medicare gaps | PHI gaps | Unexpected recovery costs |
|---|---|---|
Even with Medicare, injury recovery can involve out-of-pocket expenses like: | PHI can support your recovery from injury but often comes with limitations: | Injuries often bring unexpected expenses beyond medical bills that Medicare or PHI don’t cover. For example: |
Non-bulk-billed doctor visits: Some specialists or urgent care visits incur additional fees. Partial physio costs: Eligible sessions are often only partially covered, leaving you with extra fees. Medical supplies: Medication, crutches, braces or other supports may require out-of-pocket payments. | Excess fees: Depending on your policy, you might pay a set amount before PHI coverage applies. Specialist and imaging costs: While PHI can cover some out-of-hospital services, restrictions often apply. Waiting periods: You may encounter waiting periods before specific treatments are covered, leaving certain initial costs uncovered. | Transport: Ubers, taxis or additional fuel costs for trips to and from medical appointments. Missed work: For self-employed or casual workers, time off can lead to a temporary income gap. Home support: Babysitters, housekeeping help or even food delivery services can be necessary during recovery. |
If you have Flip Active for yourself or Flip Kids for your children, these costs don’t need to fall solely on you. A payout from Flip can provide the financial support you need to navigate the recovery period without added stress.
How Flip Active and Flip Kids can bridge coverage gaps
Let’s break down how Flip can complement Medicare and PHI using the example of a broken arm—the most common hospitalised sports injury in Australia.
Imagine you’re competing in a high-adrenaline mountain biking event, speeding down rocky trails with jumps and steep descents. As you’re navigating a rough turn, your bike hits an unexpected bump. You lurch forward and hit the ground hard. At the hospital, the diagnosis isn’t good: a broken arm that requires a cast, specialist consultations and months of rehab.
Here’s how Flip Active can step in to support the recovery process where Medicare and private health insurance may leave gaps:
 Flip active cover | Medicare | Private Heath insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
Specialist care | Payout of $100 |  Certain amount covered | Covered but may have excess |
X-ray | Payout of $100 | Some of the cost might be covered |  NOT COVERED |
MRI or CT Scan | Payout of $100 | Some of the cost might be covered | Depending on your level of cover |
2x physio | Payout of $150 | Some appointments covered | Depending on your level of cover |
Getting a cast | Payout of $100 | Some of the cost might be covered | Depending on your level of cover |
Flip pays $550 for this injury that you can use to pay for Medicare and Private health insurance gaps, excesses and other unforeseen costs |
*This is an example of a payout under Flip Insurance for a broken arm. The payout may vary depending on the injury's severity.
It doesn’t matter what Medicare or PHI covers, if your injury needs these services, you’ll get a Flip cash payout.
Please remember to do your own research, checking your PHI policy details carefully to see exactly what it covers and read our PDS to see if Flip is right for you.
How Flip supported Casey’s recovery
To see a real-world example of how Flip works in action, consider Casey, a snowboarder who suffered a serious shoulder injury after a five-metre fall from a chairlift. Despite Medicare’s cover, he still faced several unexpected costs related to surgery, rehab and daily expenses.
‘I’ve spent over two thousand dollars on my injury,’ Casey explains. ‘I’ve needed lots of doctors and physio appointments. I also couldn't drive for over three months, so I had to spend money on Ubers.’
Here’s how Flip’s payouts helped bridge the financial gaps:
This support enabled Casey to cover medical costs and other expenses without tapping into savings, allowing him to focus on his recovery.
‘I paid $25 for a week of cover and I got a payout of $2,600. It’s been enough to cover my treatment and rehab. It took away the financial stress. Getting injured is hard enough and I hope I never go through something like this again, but Flip helped me get the care I needed. I really appreciate the Flip team and I have been recommending it to everyone who goes away on sporting holidays.’
Extra peace of mind from just $1.33 per day*
Flip Active and Flip Kids add an extra layer of peace of mind. Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend adventure, launching into a sports season or attending a special event, getting financial security against unexpected accidents can help you enjoy your time stress-free. Flip is here to help bridge Medicare and PHI gaps, helping to cover the real costs of injury recovery that Medicare and PHI might not.
Check out Flip Active and Flip Kids to see how our flexible, affordable coverage can enhance your protection and help you enjoy life’s best moments without the worry.
* This price is based on purchase of a $40 monthly subscription. The daily cost of Flip Active will vary depending on the purchase option selected.
