Money
Health insurance
Unbiased advice and reviews to help you choose the right health insurance policy.
Will buying heath insurance
save you money at tax time?
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Compare health insurance
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Choose with confidence
Compare thousands of health insurance policies with us. 100% independent, our advice is based on what's best for you.
Latest news
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2 Jul 2018
Bupa health insurance cuts - what you need to know
More than 700,000 Bupa members to receive fewer hospital benefits. -
19 Jun 2018
Good cover essential for mental illness
Reforms waive waiting periods for mental illness cover -
19 Jun 2018
HBF cuts around the corner
From 1 July health insurer HBF will cut cover for obesity surgery, dialysis and other services for some policies -
13 Apr 2018
Consumers slugged with premium hikes of up to 45%
Private health insurance premiums went up on 1 April. -
22 Nov 2017
Finder fined by ACCC for "misleading consumers"
Compares "substantially" fewer health insurance policies than advertised. -
3 Nov 2017
Health fund Australian Unity to compensate 2300 families
ACCC says insurer misled customers who were stung by unexpected policy changes to dental benefits. -
13 Oct 2017
Health insurance reforms the biggest in nearly two decades
There's slashed benefits and some discounts, yet junk policies remain. -
22 Sep 2017
Commission rebate schemes
Tired of paying for nothing? Switching to a commission rebate service may put some money back in your pocket. -
21 Sep 2017
ACCC lodges Full Federal Court appeal against Medibank
Another court case against insurance provider NIB remains ongoing. -
22 Aug 2017
Should consumers subsidise natural therapies?
Health funds are paying benefits for natural therapies that aren't backed by medical evidence. -
19 Jul 2017
Rising cost of health insurance pushing people to downgrade policies: ACCC
Annual report examining the health insurance industry leaves the watchdog with 'concerns'.
Do you need health insurance?
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Will private health insurance save you money?
Don't get bitten by misleading marketing – taking out cover isn't always a necessity. -
Do you need health insurance to have a baby?
We compare private and public care for pregnancy and birth and uncover health insurance loopholes. -
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. -
Junk/low value health insurance - explained
Health insurance is heavily subsidised, but should we expect more in return?
Buying and switching
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Health insurance buying guide
We demystify health insurance so you don't pay for cover you're not using. -
Hospital insurance buying guide
We explain the benefits of the different levels of private hospital insurance. -
Extras insurance buying guide
What type of cover do you need? And do you need it at all? -
How to switch insurance
Review your health cover, switch and save. -
Guide to Medicare
It’s more than just free visits to the doctor. -
Small health funds - explained
Why it can pay to get health insurance with the fund you've never heard of.
Take action
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End unexpected medical bills
Have you been hit with an expensive, unexpected bill for surgery? Even if you have private health insurance, if you get sick chances are you’ll be left out of pocket, facing unpredictable and unexpected costs.
Sign our petition to tell the health minister you’re sick of unpredictable hospital bills. You should know what costs you’re up for – a fairer system is possible.
How to save
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How to save on health insurance
Premiums are on the rise again, but there are still ways to save. -
How much will my anaesthesia cost?
Understand anaesthesia bills and gap fees – without falling asleep. -
Gap cover and out-of-pocket costs explained
Even after paying thousands for private health insurance you can still be slugged with large costs if you go to hospital. -
Tips on negotiating with your doctor to reduce costs
Tips on negotiating with your doctor and shopping around for a surgeon. -
Surgery out-of-pocket costs mystery shop
Read what happens when we try to find out surgery fees upfront. -
Why it's worth getting a second medical opinion
Faced with life-changing, risky or expensive medical events, getting a second opinion should be part of your action plan.
Extras insurance
Extras covers things outside hospital like optical, dental, orthodontics, physio, podiatry and psychology services.
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Should you drop extras health insurance?
Private health insurance is increasingly expensive and your extras health insurance may not be giving you value for money -
Dental fees: is the price right?
Is there anything you can do to reduce your dental costs, or should you just grin and bear it? -
Tips to save on extras insurance
How to get the best value cover for extras like dental, optical and physio. -
Blood glucose meter reviews
We test blood glucose meters including models from Accu-Chek, CareSens, Trueresult and more. -
Blood pressure monitor reviews
We test popular blood pressure monitors in the CHOICE labs, including models from Omron, Kogan, Nokia, AND, Beurer and more. -
Orthodontic braces buying guide
There are many different options for braces, but a good practitioner is key to success. -
Why your extras health cover policy is losing value
Watch out for the 'lazy tax' on extras cover. -
Australians are being short-changed on health insurance extras
An investigation reveals most benefits have stagnated for years in the face of rising costs.
More advice
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Best health insurance for single parents
Compare single-parent family health insurance offers from Medibank, BUPA, HCF, HBF, NIB and more. -
Best health insurance for singles and couples
How to find the best-value health cover for your stage of life. -
Best health insurance for families
Compare family health insurance offers from Medibank, BUPA, HCF, HBF, NIB and more. -
Top hospital cover review 2018
Value-for-money comprehensive hospital policies from 24 open health funds. -
Restricted membership health fund review
Despite their name, restricted health funds may be more open than you think. -
Health insurance for accidents and ambulance
Young and healthy but concerned you need health cover for an accident? We examine your options. -
Budget hospital health insurance review 2018
Value-for-money policies that save you on tax. -
Good cover essential for mental illness
Reforms waive waiting periods for mental illness cover -
Lifetime health cover for migrants
You'll pay a price if you take out health insurance too late. -
Joint replacement surgery
What you need to know before you go under the knife.
How the funds rate
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Teachers Health
A restricted membership health fund for current and former members of education unions and their families. -
Bupa
Founded in 1947, Bupa Australia is part of the international Bupa Group that provides health and care services in more than 190 countries. -
Medibank
Launched in 1976, Medibank is today one of Australia's largest health funds. -
Australian Unity
A mutual company, Australian Unity Health Ltd has a 175-year history in Australia. -
ACA
A restricted membership health fund for Seventh-day Adventist Church employees and their families. -
CBHS corporate
A nonprofit health fund for individuals and workplaces that also promotes employee wellbeing. -
CDH
Launched as a health fund for miners in 1952, now covering the wider community. -
CUA
Founded in 1976 by CUA, Australia's largest customer-owned financial services provider. -
Emergency services health
Emergency Services Health is a restricted-member nonprofit health fund for Australia's emergency services community. -
Frank
A member-based, nonprofit health fund launched by GMHBA in 2009. -
Health Partners
A nonprofit mutual organisation founded in South Australia in 1937. -
Health Care
HCI is a nonprofit, member-owned health fund that was established in 1938. -
Health.com.au
An online-only health fund, owned by Australian nonprofit health fund GMHBA. -
Latrobe Health Services
A nonprofit health fund that was established in 1951. -
Nurses & Midwives Health
A restricted membership health fund for current and former members of a nursing/midwifery union and their families. -
Mildura Health
A nonprofit, member-owned regional health fund, operating since 1929. -
Navy Health
A restricted membership health fund for current and former members of the wider defence community. -
Phoenix
A mutual nonprofit private health insurer, established in 1953 originally for the steel industry. -
Police Health
A restricted membership health fund for employees of police departments and unions and their eligible family members. -
Queensland Country Health
A member-owned regional-based health fund established in 1977. -
RT Health
RT Health is a restricted-member nonprofit health fund for transport and energy sector employees and their families. -
Transport Health
Owned by the nonprofit RT Health Fund, it was founded in 1888, originally for tram workers. -
TUH Health
TUH Health Fund is a restricted-membership health insurer open to past and present members of a union and their families. -
Westfund Health
A nonprofit health fund that began in 1953 for miners, it continues to focus on regional communities today. -
HCF
Established in 1932, HCF is Australia's largest nonprofit health fund. -
NIB
Established 60 years ago, NIB provides health cover to more than a million Australians. -
HBF
A nonprofit health fund founded in WA in 1941 with almost a million members nationally. -
AHM
Online health fund that began in regional NSW 40 years ago, now owned by Medibank Private. -
GMHBA
A member-based, nonprofit health fund which began in Geelong in 1934, GMHBA also owns Frank and Health.com.au health funds. -
Defence Health
Defence Health is a restricted-membership health fund for the Australian Defence Force and wider defence community. -
CBHS Health Fund
CBHS Health Fund, established in 1951, is a nonprofit, member-owned health insurer for employees of the Commonwealth Bank Group. -
Doctors' Health Fund
Doctors' Health Fund was established in 1977 to provide health insurance for healthcare professionals and their families. -
HIF
A nonprofit and carbon-neutral health fund, originally founded in WA in 1954. -
Peoplecare
A national, nonprofit health fund established in 1953.
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