Compare Health Insurance Plans & Get the Best Coverage

What is Private Health Insurance in Australia?

Private health insurance in Australia gives you the option of being treated as a private patient in a hospital. Additionally, it can help cover healthcare expenses that Medicare doesn’t fully pay for, such as physiotherapy, dental care, and optical services. The extent of your coverage depends entirely on your specific policy.

To be eligible for private health insurance, you must:

• Purchase a policy from a registered health insurer.
• Pay regular ongoing premiums to maintain your coverage.

Benefits of Private Health Insurance

• Expanded Health Coverage and Choice: Cover some or all costs related to private or public hospital stays, allowing you to choose your doctor. It may potentially cover services not offered by Medicare, like physiotherapy, dental, and optical. Private insurance can often help you get some hospital services faster.
• Potential Tax Savings: Purchasing private hospital cover could mean you avoid the Medicare levy surcharge (an additional tax for certain higher-income earners without private hospital cover).
• Government Rebate: You might be eligible for a private health insurance rebate from the Australian Government, potentially lowering your premiums or reducing your tax bill.
• Avoid Age-Related Premium Increases: The Lifetime Health Cover initiative protects you from higher premiums if you purchase hospital cover before turning 31.

Who Can Get Private Health Insurance?

Private health insurance is optional, but it offers expanded options for those desiring more comprehensive coverage and choices. In Australia, private health insurance uses a “community rating” model, meaning:

• Insurers must offer the same price for a policy to everyone.
• They cannot refuse to insure you.
• You have the right to renew your policy.

Who Provides Private Health Insurance?

Only registered health insurers are legally permitted to provide private health insurance in Australia. Some insurers may specialize in covering people in specific industries or groups.

How Private Health Insurance Works with Medicare

Private health insurance and the public Medicare system work together to expand your access to care:

Health Service	Public Health Care	Private Health Insurance
In-hospital services	Public patient in a public or private hospital (Medicare covers costs, you can’t choose your doctor)	Private patient with more doctor choice, potential for faster care. Insurer and Medicare may cover most costs.
Doctor/Specialist visits outside hospital	Medicare covers some/all costs, but law prevents insurers from covering most of these	Not covered
Other out-of-hospital services (dental, eye checks, etc.)	Medicare may partly cover some services	Policies can cover many of these services
Prescription medicines	Covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)	Some policies may cover non-PBS medicines
Prostheses	Costs covered if you’re a public patient	Covered if your policy includes the implant procedure
Ambulance	Some states/territories offer coverage	Policies can cover costs where government coverage is lacking

Understanding Private Health Insurance: Key Points and Considerations

While not everyone will find private health insurance necessary, there are significant potential benefits:

• Faster access to elective procedures: Avoid long public waitlists.
• Choose your doctors: Have the doctor you know and trust.
• More privacy: Potential for a private hospital room
• Extras cover: Get support for preventative care like dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more.
• Lower surgery costs: Avoid the hefty out-of-pocket expenses associated with private care without insurance.

Why Compare Health Insurance?

With health insurance costs rising, comparing plans is more important than ever. In 2024, Australian premiums are set to increase by an average of 3.03%, with some funds rising even higher. Save money and ensure you have the right coverage – we make it simple to understand your options and find the best fit.

How Our Comparison Tool Works

• Enter a few basic details (age, location, health needs).
• We’ll instantly show you plans from top providers.
• Compare coverage, benefits, and costs side-by-side.
• Choose the plan that’s right for you and enroll directly.

Types of Health Insurance

Choosing the right health insurance can be overwhelming. Let’s break down the main types offered in Australia:

• Ambulance Cover: The Basics
  • Covers emergency ambulance transport costs.
  • Some states/territories provide this for residents.
• Hospital Cover: Protection for Inpatient Care
  • Helps cover costs of hospital stays (like surgery, etc.).
  • Coverage levels vary from basic to comprehensive – compare carefully!
• Extras Cover: Out-of-Hospital Care
  • Covers services like dental, physiotherapy, optical, and more.
  • Generally, the more services covered, the higher the cost.
• Combined Cover: Hospital + Extras
  • Offers both hospital and extras benefits in one convenient policy.

Compare Health Insurance

Once you understand the types of cover, it’s time to compare!

• Compare Providers: Get started with our easy-to-use comparison tool and find the perfect plan for you.
• Read the Fine Print: Check Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) for details on what’s included and excluded in each policy.
• Factors to Consider:
  • Coverage Needs: Single, couple, or family?
  • Budget: Use a budget planner to figure out what you can afford.
  • Essential Extras: Think about what’s important (glasses, dental, etc.).
  • Waiting Periods: These can vary between services.