That really stinks! I'm so sorry you all have to go through waiting periods like that.

It's 12 months waiting here in Australia for pre-existing conditions when you join a private Health Fund, but Medicare is instant, no waiting lists for treatment because you're accepting Medicare which is free. By free I mean when you seek medical advice or treatment, there are no out of pocket expenses. Every wage earner in the country pays a Medicare Levy with their taxes, which helps to support the "free" service for all.

Any waiting lists we have here are because of the sheer numbers of people without Private Health cover. If you need a non-acute operation, you may wait up to 2 years for that. Urgent cases are seen straight away, and urgent operations performed quickly.

I only hope I never see the day when Australia increases our waiting times from those we already have.