Compare health insurance

Private health insurance helps cover medical and hospital expenses that aren’t fully covered by Medicare. It typically falls into two categories: Hospital cover and Extras cover.

Hospital cover contributes to the cost of treatment and accommodation if you're admitted to hospital as a private patient. It provides you with the option to choose your doctor and hospital, and can often reduce public hospital wait times.

Extras cover helps pay for health services not usually covered by Medicare, such as dental, optical, and physiotherapy – depending on your policy. It can also help you manage unexpected medical costs and better plan your healthcare budget.

Private health insurance can be worth it if you want more healthcare options like choosing your doctor, avoiding long public wait times, or help to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for specific services like dental, physio, and optical. It can also help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge and benefit from rebates, depending on your income.

Changing your health insurance provider in Australia is simple and can be done at any time. Start by comparing policies to find one that better suits your needs and budget. Once you've chosen a new provider, you can apply for the new policy without needing to cancel your current one first. After your new cover is confirmed, your new fund can help cancel your old policy. If you're switching to a similar or lower level of cover, your waiting periods usually carry over, so you won’t have to start from scratch. Just make sure to check for any cancellation fees or refund options with your current fund before making the switch.

Having private health insurance is not mandatory in Australia, but it can provide you with additional healthcare and medical treatment options. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself to work out if health insurance is for you:

• Do you have a pre-existing medical condition or an ongoing health issue?
• Do you want to choose your own doctor or hospital?
• Can you afford to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses?
• Do you want to avoid waiting lists for non-urgent treatments?
• Are you self-employed or not covered by your employer's health fund?
• Are you earning over $101,000 (singles) or $202,000 (couples/families) and want to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge on your taxable income?
• Are you 31 or older and don't have private hospital cover? If so, you might be charged a Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading on your premium if you take out cover later in life.

Private health insurance can cover a range of medical and hospital expenses, including:

• Doctor and specialist visits
• Hospital stays and procedures
• Surgical and theatre fees
• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• Pathology and X-ray services
• Dental, optical, and physiotherapy (depending on your policy)

Some policies may also cover:

• Ambulance transportation
• Pregnancy and birth-related services
• Rehabilitation and mental health services
• Natural therapies (such as acupuncture and chiropractic care)

The specific services and treatments covered by your policy will depend on the type of cover you choose and the level of excess or co-payments you're willing to pay.