What is private health insurance?

Private health cover is a type of insurance available in Australia as an alternative to Medicare, which is Australia's public health care system. Even though all Australian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Medicare, private health insurance will cover you for care in the private hospital system. This has a few benefits, including shorter waiting times for surgery, a private room, and the ability to choose your own surgeon in many cases. Private health insurance comes in 2 flavours in Australia, extras cover and hospital cover .

Is private health insurance worth it?

Not everyone needs private health insurance, but it has a lot of benefits that might make sense to you. If you're eligible for Medicare, then you'll always have access to emergency and medically necessary treatment for free in a public hospital. However, private health insurance gives you access to benefits including your choice of doctor, your own room, better amenities and shorter wait times for elective surgery. There's also extras and ambulance cover to think about, which can be worth it even if you're young and healthy. Find out if private health insurance might be worth it for you with this 1-minute quiz .

What does private health insurance cover that Medicare doesn't?

Medicare is Australia's public healthcare system, which entitles citizens and permanent residents access to life-saving care for free in a public hospital. Unfortunately, Medicare isn't perfect! for hospital care, there can be long waiting periods for elective surgery, you probably won't get to choose your own doctor, and you may have to share a hospital room. With private hospital cover, you can get these benefits in a private hospital. Additionally, Medicare doesn't cover many out of hospital services, such as dental, optical and ambulance. Private health insurance has options to cover these as well. Learn more about Medicare vs private health insurance .

Which fund offers the best hospital cover?

The best hospital cover is the one that suits your needs and circumstances, so it may be different for everyone. However, HCF won the 2024 Finder Health Insurance Award for best fund and performed well in the government's State of the Funds report, so is a good place to start.

Which is the best health insurance fund?

The best health insurance fund depends on what you're looking for. For some, that could be a not-for-profit and for others it could be the most popular health insurer. It might help you to know that HBF was awarded Finder's Best Health Fund award for 2024 .

What's the best private health insurance for families?

Since every family has different health needs, the easiest way to find a policy is to compare family options using our health insurance engine. For example, depending on your circumstances, you may want to get pregnancy cover if you plan to have kids or look for a policy that covers your teenager for free .

What's the best health insurance for visitors to Australia?

Many visitors and temporary workers aren't eligible for the same health insurance policies as Australians. Instead, you'll need overseas visitor health cover (OVHC) . This is a type of health insurance designed specifically for non-Australian residents. These policies start from around $64.50 a month and at the very least should cover hospital care and repatriation. Some can also help pay for doctor's appointments, prescription medicine and out-of-hospital treatment such as dental.

What is the best way to save money on health insurance?

There are lots of ways to get cheaper health insurance including paying annually, joining a restricted fund if you're eligible and mixing and matching your hospital and extras cover because it often costs less to get a policy with 2 different funds.

What does 'no gap' mean in health insurance?

No gap in Australian health insurance means you won't pay any extra fees on top of your regular premiums for specific services. Your insurer covers the full cost beyond what Medicare pays for things like surgery or certain treatments. Just remember, it only applies to specific services and policies can vary, so always check the details with your provider to avoid any surprises.

What is the best health insurance for pregnancy?

Medibank Gold Protect + Growing Family 70 is a great option for those looking for pregnancy cover in their health insurance. It's good because it comes with benefits you don't get with other insurers, such as 24/7 access to Medibank Nurse - an OptimalMe program for mums-to-be and pregnancy health concierge. It also includes antenatal and postnatal classes. Keep in mind, what's best is different from person to person. Be sure to look at many options and carefully read through the inclusions of each policy before making your decision.

How much does family health insurance cost in Australia?

Family policies typically range between $300 to $500 per month for hospital and extras cover , depending on the exact inclusions and rebates that apply based on your personal circumstances and the policy you've chosen .

What is the best full coverage health insurance?

The best full coverage plans with hospital and extras benefits depend on a number of factors, including your age, gender, income, tax rate, the type of cover you choose and how much of a rebate you're entitled to . There is no one 'best' plan for everyone, but it's a good idea to be clear on the things that matter most to you when comparing plans and policies .