Sunscreen, sunnies + swimming lessons: 11 unexpected health insurance perks
Key takeaways
- Health insurance extras can cover more than just dental and optical
- Some funds, like AHM, offer benefits for sunscreen, sunglasses, swimming lessons, martial arts and yoga.
- These perks are designed to support prevention and healthy habits, and can help you get up to $500 value from your extra's health insurance each year.
Most Australians know they can claim things like dental check-ups and physio through their health insurance extras cover.
But many don't know that some health funds will also cover the cost of sunscreen, sunglasses, children's swimming lessons and even stress-management courses.
AHM recently expanded its Health Improvement Benefits to include yoga and Pilates on eligible extras policies, adding to a growing list of preventative health benefits available to some members.
Here are some of the more surprising claims available for members of AHM's eligible policies.
Good to know:
With Lifestyle or Super Extras, you can generally claim up to $250 per person or $500 per family, per financial year for the following Health Improvement Benefits. If you have Value Extras, it is capped at $100 per person / $200 per family (shared with psychology, counselling, hypnotherapy and pharmacy).
1. Cancer Council sunscreen
Benefits are available towards Cancer Council sunscreen products, helping members protect themselves from Australia's harsh UV rays.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? No
Amount: up to $50 per item
2. Sunglasses
Benefits may be available for sunglasses that meet Australian Standards and provide adequate UV protection.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? No
Amount: up to $50 per pair
3. Hats and protective swimming gear
Benefits may be claimed towards hats, rash vests and other protective swimming gear designed to reduce exposure to harmful UV radiation.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? No
Amount: up to $50 per pair
4. Children's swimming lessons
Where swimming lessons could help manage a diagnosed health condition (such as asthma, diabetes or a musculoskeletal issue), benefits may be payable towards swimming lessons for children aged 0 to 17 years.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $8 per lesson/class
5. Aqua aerobics
Classes may be claimable when used to help manage a diagnosed health condition and approved under AHM's Health Improvement Benefits program.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $10 per class
6. Boxing or martial arts
Boxing classes and eligible martial arts classes may be claimable where they form part of treatment for an approved health condition.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $10 per class
7. Stress-management courses
Benefits can be claimed towards courses (provided by an ahm recognised Psychologist) that can help manage and prevent health conditions associated with high stress levels.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $150 per course
8. Weight-loss programs and courses
If your health provider – your GP, for instance – can specify the health condition being managed, AHM can help with bills for gym memberships and personal training.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $150 per course
9. Quit-smoking products
Benefits towards nicotine replacement therapies including patches, gum, lozenges and inhalers, as well as quit-smoking courses.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? No
Amount: up to $100 per item or course
10. Yoga
One of the newest additions to AHM's Health Improvement Benefits is cover for yoga. As with other exercise-related benefits, you'll need confirmation from your health provider that your yoga classes are helping you manage a specific condition, rather than general health and wellness.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $15 per class
11. Pilates
Benefits are now also payable towards Pilates classes (from April 1, 2026), when they are prescribed to help manage a diagnosed health condition.
Medical professional sign-off/form required? Yes
Amount: up to $15 per class
Why do health funds pay for these extras?
Health funds recognise that helping members stay healthy can reduce the likelihood of more serious and costly health issues down the track.
Preventing skin damage, encouraging physical activity, helping people quit smoking and teaching children water safety all have potential long-term health benefits.
Also, it's a reminder that extras cover can offer value beyond the usual (but equally as beneficial!) dental and optical claims.
Before you pay out of pocket, check your policy to see exactly what's included. And compare your health insurance today: you could save hundreds of dollars each year with a better policy.
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