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Money
Health insurance

As health funds are hiking up their premiums on 1 October, now is the time to rethink your cover. Our insurance experts are here to help you with clear, unbiased advice and smart money-saving tips.

Latest news

The cheapest basic health insurance policies to save on tax

These AHM (Medibank), HCF, Westfund and Frank policies will save you money, but don't rely on them for health cover.
Bad health insurance deals: Medibank, Bupa, HCF, HBF, NIB

We name poor-value health insurance policies from the big health funds.
Private health premiums to increase in April

The lowest increase in 20 years is still above the rate of inflation
5 steps to better, cheaper health insurance cover

Review your health insurance policy and save money.
Save up to $932 by switching health insurance

Save money, time and confusion with our expert advice and policy comparison tool.
Health insurance savings: we find three people better policies for less

How CHOICE experts helped Anna save $1797 on health insurance cover.

Choose and compare

Find health insurance savings

Compare thousands of health insurance policies with us. 100% independent, we don't take commissions, so we can show you all the funds – big and small, member-owned and nonprofit.

Compare health insurance

COVID-19 and health insurance

Do you need health insurance for COVID-19?

Or will Medicare and the public health system give you the care you need?
Should you keep or drop your health insurance during the COVID-19 crisis?

Elective surgery suspended in Victoria
Medibank Private and Bupa have failed Australians during COVID-19

Private health insurers named and shamed for poor COVID-19 support.
Health funds' responses to coronavirus: the good, the bad, and the unclear

Private health insurers have taken steps to support people financially affected by the pandemic, but we’re pushing for more.
Why insurers should reduce health premiums during the coronavirus crisis

We think a 50% drop in the availability of services should mean you pay 50% less on your premiums.
Elective surgery during the coronavirus crisis

Low-risk surgeries like hip replacements and cataract operations going ahead in all states but Victoria.

Buying guide

What is private health insurance?
Our guide to private health insurance tells you how it works and when to consider private cover:

• hospital cover and how it works
• extras cover and how it works
• taxes and other financial reasons to have cover
Health insurance guide

Do you need health insurance?

Will private health insurance save you money?

Don't fall for misleading marketing – taking out cover isn't always a necessity.
Do you need health insurance to have a baby?

We compare public vs private care, and reveal the best health insurance policies for pregnancy and birth from both open and restricted health funds.
Should you get health insurance for braces?

Is getting extras cover for orthodontics really worth it? And if it is, how do you find the best insurance for braces?
How you can pay the Lifetime health Cover loading and be better off

Don't fall for the spin – buy health insurance when you're ready.
Lifetime health cover for migrants

You'll pay a price if you take out health insurance too late.

Extras insurance

Extras covers things outside hospital like optical, dental, orthodontics, physio, podiatry and psychology services.

Use it or lose it: Extras benefits reset on 1 Jan

Need a new set of spectacles, dental check-up or massage? Now might be the time to get it.
Best health insurance extras

Our extras recommendations can help you find the best value policy, the best cover on a budget, and the best policy for seniors.
How much does the dentist cost?

And is there anything you can do to reduce your dental costs?
Tips to save on extras insurance

How to get the best value cover for extras like dental, optical and physio.
Guide to buying orthodontic braces and aligners

There are lots of different options for braces, but a good practitioner is the key to success.
Why your extras health cover policy is losing value

Watch out for the 'lazy tax' on extras cover.

Advice

How to switch health insurance

Review your health cover, switch and save.
Save up to $932 by switching health insurance

Save money, time and confusion with our expert advice and policy comparison tool.
'I saved $1800 by switching my private health insurance'

CHOICE writer Pru Engel didn't pay much attention to her health insurance payments... till she was about to get ripped off.

How the funds rate

Find out how our experts rate funds on out-of-pocket costs, fund complaints and more.

Teachers Health

How Teachers Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Bupa

How Bupa rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Medibank

How Medibank rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Australian Unity

How Australian Unity Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
ACA

How ACA Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
CBHS corporate

How CBHS Corporate Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
CDH

How Hunter Health Insurance rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
CUA

How CUA Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Emergency services health

How Emergency Services Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
Frank

How Frank rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Health Partners

How Health Partners rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Health Care

How Health Care Insurance rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
Health.com.au

How Health.com.au rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Kogan

kogan health
Latrobe Health Services

How Latrobe Health Services rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Nurses & Midwives Health

How Nurses & Midwives Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
Mildura Health

How Mildura Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
myOwn

aia health insurance
Navy Health

How Navy Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Phoenix

How Phoenix Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Police Health

How Police Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Qantas

How Qantas health insurance rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Queensland Country Health

How Queensland Country Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
RACQ

RACQ health insurance
RT Health

How RT Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.
Transport Health

How Transport Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
TUH Health

How TUH rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Westfund Health

How Westfund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
HCF

How HCF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
NIB

How NIB rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
HBF

How HBF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
AHM

How AHM rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
GMHBA

How GMHBA rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Defence Health

How Defence Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
CBHS Health Fund

How CBHS rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Doctors' Health Fund

How Doctors' Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
HIF

How HIF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
Peoplecare

How Peoplecare rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
St.LukesHealth

How St.LukesHealth rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover.