nib Health Insurance

nib has been around since 1952 and has built itself into the 4th largest health insurer in Australia. Unlike some other insurers, nib hasn't branched out into many other areas of insurance and instead sticks to only health and life insurance.

Who is nib?

nib is a private Australia-based insurer providing health insurance to more than 1 million Australians. As of 2018, it was the 4th largest health insurer in Australia by market share.

nib's network of 200 member hospitals (including day hospitals) is among the largest in Australia. By visiting one of these hospitals, members can save money on out-of-pocket expenses usually associated with private care.

You can save even more with nibs MediGap specialists program. If you're treated by one of nib's networked specialists who have agreed to bill nib directly, meaning you won't pay a thing for their in-hospital services.

Nib also offers an accidental injury benefit that temporarily increases your cover to nib's highest level of cover for the next 90 days following an accident, giving you full cover if you're readmitted during that time.

What health insurance options are available?

All of NIBs policies fit within the Australian government's tier structure with one at each tier and two at bronze. All of nib's policies except Gold are "plus" policies meaning they offer more than the minimum requirements set out by the government for each tier. Gold is as high as you can get, so there's no need for a "plus" version of that.

All policies offer the minimum restricted cover for rehabilitation, psychology and palliative care as mandated by the Australian government's 2019 health insurance reforms.

• Hospital
• Extras

Young people discount

nib offers an age based discount to customers between the ages of 18-29. The amount of discount you receive depends on what age you were on the Discount Assessment Date, which is 1 April 2019 or the date you first took out a policy with nib after 1 April 2019.

You'll keep your discount until age 40 at which point it decreases by 2% per year.

Here's what your discount will be based on the age you were on your Discount Assessment date:

How to make a claim

There are several options to choose from when you need to make an extras claim with nib:

• Swipe your nib card. All you have to do is swipe your nib card when you visit your service provider to claim on the spot.
• Claim online. You can use nib Online Claiming 24/7 and claim for extras services by uploading a photo of your receipt. Benefits will be paid into your account within 2-4 working days.
• Claim via the nib app. There are iPhone, iPad and Android apps available so you can claim on the go.
• Visit an nib retail centre. You can visit your nearest nib retail centre to lodge a claim in person.
• Claim by mail. Download and complete an nib claim form, then mail it and your original receipts to nib health funds, Locked Bag 2010, Newcastle NSW 2300.

Overseas visitors or Students

nib offers separate health insurance options for overseas students and working visitors.

The overseas student health cover (OSHC) consists of only one product called nib OSHC. There are two choices of overseas visitor health cover (OVHC) called Budget and Basic.

All three of these offer the following:

• They meet the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) visa requirements.
• They have no excess.
• They cover emergency ambulance rides.
• They cover 100% of the Medicare benefits schedule fee for every covered treatment.

The OSHC policy and the OVHC Basic policy both cover GP visits and prescriptions. The OVHC Budget policy does not.