Having PHI gives you more choices, ie no waiting lists, choice of specialists, doctors etc.

I have top cover (but my employer subsidises some of the cost). I've been in hospital twice now in the last 3 years and haven't paid very much out of pocket. I make alot of use of the ancillary stuff too - optical, dental, physio, etc. If you use these alot then it's worth considering getting PHI. Alot of funds these days will let you choose which bits you want to be covered for as well.

If you don't have cover now, when you join you'll need to serve waiting periods before you can claim the benefits. These can range between 3 and 12 months, depending on the health fund.

When I got pregnant I rang my health fund to find out about family cover with a new baby and they said I just have to add bubs onto my insurance within 60 days of the birth and he/she will be fully covered. My cover will switch to family so will have a higher premium.

HTH