What is the Bupa Members First network?

The Bupa Members First network is a group of healthcare providers across Australia that have an agreement with Bupa. When you visit a Members First provider, you usually receive higher benefits or a certainty of cost compared to non-Members First providers. This network includes dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and optometrists.

Does Bupa cover ambulance services?

Yes, Bupa hospital and extras policies typically include emergency ambulance cover. The level of cover can vary by policy so it is important to check your specific product details. Generally, non emergency ambulance services are not covered unless medically necessary and approved by Bupa.

Can I transfer my waiting periods to Bupa from another fund?

If you switch to Bupa from another Australian health fund, you can transfer any waiting periods you have already served under protability rules. This means you will not have to serve them again providing you take out an equivalent or lower level of cover. If you upgrade your cover you may need to serve new waiting periods for the additional benefits.

How do I change my Bupa policy or update my details?

You can usually change your Bupa policy or update personal information by logging into your myBupa account online or through the myBupa app. Alternatively you can call Bupa customer service directly or visit a Bupa store. This includes changing your level of cover, adding or removing dependants or updating your contact and payment information.

What is an excess or a gap payment with Bupa?

An excess is an amount you agree to pay upfront if you need to go to hospital. Opting for a higher excess can reduce your regular premiums. A gap payment is the difference between what your doctor or specialist charges for a service and what Medicare and Bupa pay. You may incur a gap if your doctor does not participate in Bupa's Medical Gap Scheme.

How can I contact Bupa customer service?

You can contact Bupa customer service through several channels. Their website provides a contact page with phone numbers for general enquiries, claims and sales. You can also send an enquiry via their online form, use the myBupa app or visit one of their retail stores across Australia.

Bupa health insurance review

3.8 (1440 reviews) Write a review

Bupa received multiple Highly Commended Finder Awards for its extras cover in 2026.
Bupa's customer service and trust scores are higher than the average among health funds.

Pros

Bupa was a multiple 2026 Highly Commended Finder Award winner for Best Extras Cover.
Basic Plus Starter is the cheapest plan on Finder to cover joint reconstruction, lung and chest; and miscarriage and termination of pregnancy.
It's popular. Bupa is the second-largest health insurer by market share, just behind Medibank.
Flexibility – with Bupa FLEXtras, you can pick the extras you'll actually use.
Bupa had proportionally fewer complaints than other funds including HCF and nib*.

Cons

Bupa is for-profit, which might matter to some people who want to look for a not-for-profit health fund.

Congratulations, Bupa!

Bupa took home multiple Highly Commended awards for its extras cover in the 2026 Finder Awards.

Highly commended, Best Extras Cover: National, NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS and NT

Full list of 2026 health insurance winners

- Highly commended awards in the 2024 Product Awards- Basic Hospital
- Highly commended awards in the 2024 Product Awards- Medium Extras
- Finalist for Best Health Fund of the Year 2023
- Finalist for Best Health Insurance - Basic Hospital 2023
- Finalist for Best Health Insurance - Basic Extras 2023
- Finalist for Best Health Insurance - Medium Extras 2023

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Name
Get up to 8 weeks free Ends 09 September 2026 Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply. Get deal		loading Fetching your data...

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What types of health insurance does Bupa offer?

7 of 7 results

Finder Score	Treatments	Price
Finder score 4 Basic Basic Accident Only Hospital $750 Excess Basic$750 excess	Finder score 4 Basic	Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Eye excluding cataracts Pain management Gynaecology Lung and chest	$83.20 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 4.3 Basic Basic Plus Starter Hospital $750 Excess Basic$750 excess	Finder score 4.3 Basic	Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Eye excluding cataracts Pain management Gynaecology Lung and chest +3 other treatments covered	$90.26 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 4.3 Basic Bronze Hospital $750 Excess Bronze$750 excess	Finder score 4.3 Basic	Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine Dental surgery Eye excluding cataracts Cancer Lung and chest +14 other treatments covered	$94.85 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 5.1 Standard Bronze Plus Select Hospital $750 Excess Bronze$750 excess	Finder score 5.1 Standard	Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine Dental surgery Eye excluding cataracts Cancer Lung and chest +17 other treatments covered	$100.13 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 5.4 Standard Bronze Plus Advantage Hospital $750 Excess Bronze$750 excess	Finder score 5.4 Standard	Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine Dental surgery Eye excluding cataracts Cancer Lung and chest +18 other treatments covered	$108.85 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 4.7 Basic Silver Plus Classic Hospital $750 Excess Silver$750 excess	Finder score 4.7 Basic	Lung and chest Back neck and spine Cataracts Joint replacements Blood Dental surgery Palliative care Pregnancy and birth +23 other treatments covered	$121.26 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 5.6 Standard Silver Plus Advanced Hospital $750 Excess Silver$750 excess	Finder score 5.6 Standard	Lung and chest Back neck and spine Cataracts Joint replacements Blood Dental surgery Palliative care Pregnancy and birth +26 other treatments covered	$191.94 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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Finder Score	Treatments	Price
Finder score 8.4 Great Freedom 50 Extras cover	Finder score 8.4 Great	General dental Major dental Optical Physiotherapy Chiropractic Psychology Remedial massage Hearing aids	$16.01 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 8.2 Great Starter Extras Extras cover	Finder score 8.2 Great	General dental Major dental Optical Physiotherapy Chiropractic Psychology Remedial massage Hearing aids	$27.28 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 7.9 Great Core Extras Extras cover	Finder score 7.9 Great	General dental Major dental Optical Physiotherapy Chiropractic Psychology Remedial massage Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$43.33 per month	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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10 of 53 results

Finder Score	Treatments	Price
Finder score Not scored yet Bronze Plus Select Hospital $750 Excess + Freedom 50 Bronze$750 excess	Finder score Not scored yet	Hospital Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine +21 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$116.14 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 2.6 Basic Basic Accident Only Hospital $750 Excess + Freedom 50 Basic$750 excess	Finder score 2.6 Basic	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$99.22 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 2.6 Basic Basic Accident Only Hospital $500 Excess + Freedom 50 Basic$500 excess	Finder score 2.6 Basic	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$104.41 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 21.1 Excellent Basic Plus Starter Hospital $750 Excess + Freedom 50 Basic$750 excess	Finder score 21.1 Excellent	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix +4 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$106.27 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 2.6 Basic Basic Accident Only Hospital $750 Excess + Starter Extras Basic$750 excess	Finder score 2.6 Basic	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +3 other treatments covered	$110.48 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score Not scored yet Bronze Hospital $750 Excess + Freedom 50 Bronze$750 excess	Finder score Not scored yet	Hospital Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine +16 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$110.86 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 21.1 Excellent Basic Plus Starter Hospital $500 Excess + Freedom 50 Basic$500 excess	Finder score 21.1 Excellent	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix +4 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$111.58 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 2.6 Basic Basic Accident Only Hospital $500 Excess + Starter Extras Basic$500 excess	Finder score 2.6 Basic	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +3 other treatments covered	$115.68 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score 21.1 Excellent Basic Plus Starter Hospital $750 Excess + Starter Extras Basic$750 excess	Finder score 21.1 Excellent	Hospital Rehabilitation Joint reconstructions Dental surgery Hernia and appendix +4 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +3 other treatments covered	$117.54 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Finder score Not scored yet Bronze Hospital $500 Excess + Freedom 50 Bronze$500 excess	Finder score Not scored yet	Hospital Joint reconstructions Ear nose and throat Blood Back neck and spine +16 other treatments covered Extras General dental Major dental Optical Hearing aids +2 other treatments covered	$121.60 per month	Intro offer: Get up to 8 weeks free + 2 and 6 month waits waived on eligible extras cover. For new members only. Ends 9 Sept 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 10 of 53 results

Get the lowdown on Finder Score

Each month we analyse over 10,000 hospital and extras insurance products and rate each one on price and features. What we end up with is a nice round number out of 10 that helps you compare products a bit faster.

Before we start scoring, we need to make sure we're comparing like-for-like. Just as it doesn't make sense to compare a toy car with a Porche, it doesn't make sense to compare basic policies to top-tier gold policies. Each policy is given a price score and feature score. These are then combined to determine each policies's Finder Score. Read our full methodologies of how we calculated Finder Score for hospital cover and extras cover.

Bupa health insurance complaints

We looked at the 2023 Ombudsman health insurance complaints. Here's how Bupa stacked up:

Its customer service is among the best compared to other large funds. With a market share of 24.9%, only 23.7% of total complaints were about Bupa. This is a better complaint ratio than most of Australia's other large funds including HCF and nib.

While it has few complaints compared to market share, it's not number 1. HBF and GMHBA scored better.

Bupa frequently asked questions

The Bupa Members First network is a group of healthcare providers across Australia that have an agreement with Bupa. When you visit a Members First provider, you usually receive higher benefits or a certainty of cost compared to non-Members First providers. This network includes dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and optometrists.
If you switch to Bupa from another Australian health fund, you can transfer any waiting periods you have already served under protability rules. This means you will not have to serve them again providing you take out an equivalent or lower level of cover. If you upgrade your cover you may need to serve new waiting periods for the additional benefits.
You can usually change your Bupa policy or update personal information by logging into your myBupa account online or through the myBupa app. Alternatively you can call Bupa customer service directly or visit a Bupa store. This includes changing your level of cover, adding or removing dependants or updating your contact and payment information.
An excess is an amount you agree to pay upfront if you need to go to hospital. Opting for a higher excess can reduce your regular premiums. A gap payment is the difference between what your doctor or specialist charges for a service and what Medicare and Bupa pay. You may incur a gap if your doctor does not participate in Bupa's Medical Gap Scheme.

Compare other products from Bupa

Sources

Thank you for your feedback!

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 554 Finder guides across topics including:

Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
Managing the cost of living

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Bupa health insurance review

Our verdict: Bupa health insurance is one of Australia’s most popular funds, in part due to its great value policies and good customer service.