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MoneyPrivate health cover can be confusing and expensive. Our insurance experts are here to help you with clear, unbiased advice and smart money-saving tips.
Do you need health insurance?
Work out if paying for private health insurance is the right move for you.
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Health insurance for wisdom teeth and dental surgery
How to avoid large out-of-pocket costs for your wisdom teeth surgery. -
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. -
How to avoid out-of-pocket healthcare costs
Tips on how to get cheaper health care and negotiating with your surgeon. -
How to access free mental health care
Australians can get up to 20 counselling sessions through Medicare. -
How you can pay the Lifetime health Cover loading and be better off
Is there really a 'deadline' to buy health insurance after you turn 31? Here's what you need to know. -
6 health insurance questions for under 30s answered
Is it worth getting private health insurance when you're still young? -
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 for ambulance?
Young and healthy but concerned you need health cover for ambulance and accident? We examine your options. -
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. -
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. -
Lifetime health cover for migrants
You'll pay a price if you take out health insurance too late.
Buying guide
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What is private health insurance?
Get an overview of private health insurance in Australia, including how it works and when you should consider it. Our experts look at:
- • hospital cover and how it works
- • extras cover and how it works
- • taxes and other financial reasons to have cover
Review, switch and save
How to review your health cover and save money.
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HBF members need to act now
Private health fund HBF will increase insurance premiums on 1 April 2022. -
Save up to $935 by switching health insurance
Save money, time and confusion with our expert advice and policy comparison tool. -
What to know about premium increases
Some health funds, including Medibank, Bupa, NIB and HCF, have delayed their increase until later in the year. -
5 steps to better, cheaper health insurance
With many premiums set to increase in April, here's how you can secure a cheaper price for your health cover and save money. -
How to switch health insurance
Review your health cover, switch and save. -
'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. -
Health insurance savings: we find three people better policies for less
How CHOICE experts helped Anna save $1797 on health insurance cover.
Avoid rip-off health cover
Did you know some Bronze policies cost more than Silver policies? Steer clear of these poor-value options.
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Is Basic health insurance for tax a waste of money?
Basic policies from Medibank, Bupa and HCF can help with tax, but are they value for money? -
Do you have one of these overpriced Bronze health cover policies?
Australia's most expensive Bronze health insurance policies. -
Dump these rip-off Silver Plus health insurance policies
Many Silver and Silver Plus hospital policies cost more than some Gold policies but provide less cover. -
Are you paying too much for Gold health insurance?
Dump these overpriced Gold policies and lock in better cover. -
Bad health insurance deals: Medibank, Bupa, HCF, HBF, NIB
We name poor-value health insurance policies from the big private health funds.
Finding the right cover
Our experts help you find the best health insurance for your stage of life.
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How to find the best health insurance for young and healthy singles and couples
Eager for extras or just want to avoid tax? Here's our guide to shopping for the best health cover. -
How to choose the best health insurance for seniors
Our insurance expert explains how to get the right cover for your needs and budget. -
How to choose the best health insurance for single-parent families
Expert tips to help you find the best-value cover for you and your kids. -
How to find the best health insurance for families
Get useful tips for choosing the right health cover for your family. -
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. -
Should you choose Gold, Silver or Bronze?
We help you decide which of the four health insurance tiers is best for your needs.
Will health insurance save you money at tax time?
Take our quiz and find out
Do I Need Health Insurance?
Extras insurance
Extras covers things outside hospital like optical, dental, orthodontics, physio, podiatry and psychology services.
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How to find the best extras health insurance policy
What type of health cover do you need? And do you need it at all? -
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. -
Bad value extras health insurance
Is it worth paying for a top-shelf extras policy?
Health care and COVID-19
What to know about private health cover and medical care in the midst of a pandemic.
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Elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns have led to long waiting lists for elective surgeries like hip replacements and cataract operations. -
Do you need health insurance for COVID-19?
How to save on health insurance if you can't use it during a lockdown. -
Telehealth and other online e-health services
What are your options when you can't get to the doctor? -
Medibank Private and Bupa fail 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.
How the funds rate
Find out how our experts rate funds on out-of-pocket costs, fund complaints and more.
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The good and the bad of Medibank, Bupa, HBF, HCF and NIB
The five big health funds compared on complaints, discounts and cost.  -
Australia's most complained about health insurance funds
We reveal the funds with the worst overall complaints ratings. -
Three things you might not know about small health insurers
Why it can pay to go with the fund you've never heard of.
Funds
We look at the ins and outs of more than 36 private health insurers.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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