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Best extras on a budget
Policies in this category are worth considering if you're only after a couple of dentist visits a year and some physio. If you also need cover for glasses, you might be better off looking at the Best Value category below.
We've selected policies that offer the best level of cover for less than $20 a month (before the 25% government rebate).
Recommended budget policies
AHM Black 50 Saver and Bupa Orange 50 both cover 50% of your basic dental services, as well as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic. AHM covers up to $400 a year for dental, plus a combined $300 for the rest. Bupa has simplified things further with a $500 limit for everything, which increases $100 for every year you stay with them, up to $700.
HCF Starter Extras has a $350 limit for general dental, and has a $150 limit for the same additional services, plus remedial massage and acupuncture. For a few extra dollars a month you can add on $100 of optical cover. The downside is that it offers dollar limits instead of percentages, which might be a red flag if your dentist or physio is expensive.
HBF Basic Extras has a bit more meat than the other policies, which pushes it above our $20 limit in most states. Additional cover includes health checks, flu vaccinations and weight loss programs. Annual limits increase the longer you stay with the policy, although the per-visit limits for things like physiotherapy and chiropractic could be higher.
HBF Basic Extras is a beefier product than others in this category, with $160 for optical cover, health checks and flu vaccinations, and annual limits that increase the longer you stay with the fund. Rebates for individual visits to the physio, chiro and osteopath aren't that competitive, which is why we've only recommended it in cheaper markets. But if you're happy to use HBF's preferred dentists, the 75% rebate on preventative dental might make it worth your while.
Note: extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below. Check the fund's website for full details.
Fund: AHM
Price: $17 per month (single person, before rebate)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 50% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 50% of fee
Other services
- Optical: not covered
- Physiotherapy: 50% of fee
- Chiropractic: 50% of fee
- Remedial massage: not covered
Fund: Bupa
Price: $18-$19 per month (single person, before rebate)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 50% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 50% of fee
Other services
- Optical: not covered
- Physiotherapy: 50% of fee
- Chiropractic: 50% of fee
- Remedial massage: not covered
Fund: HBF
Price: $15-$18 per month (single person, before rebate. Price varies by state, range listed is for recommended states only)
Recommended: NT & Tas
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $130
- Surgical extraction: $81
Other services
- Optical: $160 per year
- Physiotherapy: $111 for 5 visits
- Chiropractic: $90 for 5 visits
- Remedial massage: not covered
Fund: HCF
Price: $9-$20 per month (single person, before rebate. Price varies by state)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $109
- Surgical extraction: not covered
Other services
- Optical (optional extra): $100 per year
- Physiotherapy: $180 for 5 visits
- Chiropractic: $133 for 5 visits
- Remedial Massage: $130 for 5 visits
Best value for money extras
These policies are the all-rounders: buying them won't break the bank, but they still offer decent cover for the most popular services. Worth considering if you want to claim a couple of dental checkups, a pair of glasses and a few sessions at the physio.
We compared policies on their level of cover compared to price. In order to be recommended in this category a policy must cover major dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic and remedial massage.
Recommended policies – best value
HBF Flex 60 is a policy with easy-to-follow limits. You get 60% back on all claims except optical and healthy living programs. Optical has a separate $220 limit, and everything else is bundled under a single $1000 annual cap. Preventative dental doesn't have an annual limit so won't contribute to that limit.
AHM Black 60 and Suncorp Everyday Extras also cover 60% of your bill, up to the each category's annual limit. AHM covers fewer services, but has higher limits for dental and remedial massage. Suncorp spreads itself out, covering more with lower limits. The optical benefit is also 60%, meaning you'll need to spend over $330 to claim back the full $200. Many insurers are moving toward no-gap optical claims, so this catch is something to watch out for if you need optical cover. Both of these are underwritten by NIB.
Phoenix Health Everyday Extras 60 is for those who want higher annual limits than the other 60% policies in this category. There is no annual limit on general dental, plus you can claim 100% back on two checkups a year. It costs a bit more than other policies on our list, so you have to be prepared to make claims throughout the year or risk wasting your money. It also contains that unfortunate 60% benefit on optical claims.
At the other end of the scale is Queensland Country Health Young Extras. Don't let the name fool you, they cover people all over Australia (in NT they operate as Territory Health). Check this one out if you're mostly after dental and optical.
HCF Vital Extras is a strong performer in dental, optical and physio, even though it's a policy with set dollar benefits instead of percentages. Don't rely on it to be great value in a couple of years though — set benefits rarely increase at the same rate as premiums. We've only recommended it in a couple of states, as it was too expensive elsewhere.
Note: extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below. Check the fund's website for full details.
Fund: AHM
Price: $38-$49 per month (single person, before rebate. Price varies by state)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 60% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 60% of fee
- Root canal: 60% of fee
Other services
- Optical: $200 per year
- Physiotherapy: 60% of fee
- Chiropractic: 60% of fee
- Remedial Massage: 60% of fee
Fund: HBF
Price: $30-$47 per month (single person, before rebate. Premiums vary by state)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 60% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 60% of fee
- Root canal: 60% of fee
Other services
- Optical: $220 per year
- Physiotherapy: 60% of fee
- Chiropractic: 60% of fee
- Remedial Massage: 60% of fee
Fund: HCF
Price: $44-$59 per month (single person, before rebate. Price varies by state, only recommended states included in range)
Recommended: NT, Tas, WA
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $127
- Surgical extraction: $165
- Root canal: $170
Other services
- Optical: $250 per year
- Physiotherapy: $254 for 5 visits
- Chiropractic: $172 for 5 visits
- Remedial Massage: $160 for 5 visits
Fund: Phoenix Health
Price: $72 per month (single person, before rebate.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 100%
- Surgical extraction: 60%
- Root canal: 60%
Other services
- Optical: 60% up to $260 per year
- Physiotherapy: 60%
- Chiropractic: 60%
- Remedial Massage: 60%
Fund: Queensland Country Health (Sold as Territory Health in NT)
Price: $28-$34 per month (single person, after 25% rebate. Price varies by state)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $118
- Surgical extraction: $135
- Root canal: not covered
Other services
- Optical: $225 per year
- Physiotherapy: $170 for 5 visits
- Chiropractic: $162 for 5 visits
- Remedial Massage: $150 for 5 visits
Fund: Suncorp Health (underwritten by NIB)
Price: $40-$42 per month (single person, before rebate. Price varies by state)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 60% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 60% of fee
- Root canal: 60% of fee
Other services
- Optical: 60% of fee up to $200
- Physiotherapy: 60% of fee
- Chiropractic: 60% of fee
- Remedial Massage: 60% of fee
Note: an identical policy is also issued by NIB under the AAMI Health Insurance brand.
Best extras for seniors
This category is for people who are looking for a policy with good cover for hearing aids. We compared policies in this category on price and cover, particularly for services commonly claimed by people over 65.
In order to be recommended in this category a policy must cover major dental, optical, physiotherapy and podiatry. They must also offer at least $1000 every three years for hearing aids.
Keep in mind: in years when you don't make a hearing aid claim, you will have to work hard to claim back the full premium for these policies.
Recommended policies for seniors
Some of our recommendations come from restricted membership funds, and it's worth investigating whether you're eligible – it's often not as restricted as it seems.
Westfund Esteem is a good all-rounder, with benefits comparable to the Best Value policies plus $1400 for hearing aids. It covers a broad range of services, but has lower limits for individual claims. It's also the cheapest in this category, so if you're looking for basic cover with decent benefits for hearing aids, it's worth a look.
GMHBA Mid Extras 65% Benefits is a bit more expensive, with a slightly lower hearing aid benefit but 65% back on all services. A useful policy if you're likely to do a lot of claiming on clinical treatments like physiotherapy and podiatry.
Phoenix Health Complete Extras 70 has high annual limits and 70% back on everything — the exception is preventative dental, for which you won't have to pay a gap or worry about an annual limit. The $2000 limit on hearing aids is the highest in our list, but keep an eye on the price because you'll have to claim back a lot to make it worth your while.
If you're in Tasmania, St.Lukes Super Extras should definitely be on your radar. This policy is much more expensive outside St.Lukes' home state, which is why we've only recommended it here. It has very good cover for dental and optical, and although it doesn't have percentage benefits, you'll still get a good chunk of your bill back on clinical services.
Navy Health Premium Extras is worth a look if you need to claim more on a range of services — for the hefty price tag it comes with high benefits for individual items, as well as annual limits that you would have to work hard to claim all of.
Defence Health Value Extras is at the other end of the price spectrum — you won't be able to claim as much back on individual treatments, but the comparatively low premium means you'll have a lower target to claim the full premium back. Their optical benefit is a bit complicated: you can claim up to the limit if you get glasses from their partner chains, but go elsewhere and you'll run into sublimits on frames and lenses.
CBHS Top Extras comes with a $1600 limit for hearing aids and good cover for dental and clinical services. Unfortunately, like Defence Health it has similarly complex optical cover, meaning you won't be able to claim the full annual limit on most types of prescription glasses.
Note: extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below. Check the fund's website for full details.
Open funds
Fund: GMHBA
Price: $77-$86 per month (Single person, before rebate. Price varies by state.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 65% of fee
- Surgical extraction: 65% of fee
- Root canal: 65% of fee
Hearing aids
- Per device: 65% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $1200
Other services
- Optical: 65% of fee up to $200
- Physiotherapy: 65% of fee
- Podiatry: 65% of fee
Fund: Phoenix Health
Price: $100 per month (Single person, before rebate.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 100%
- Surgical extraction: 70% of fee
- Root canal: 70% of fee
Hearing aids
- Per device: 70% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $2000
Other services
- Optical: 70% up to $300 per year
- Physiotherapy: $70 of fee
- Podiatry: 70% of fee
Fund: St.Lukes
Price: $77 per month (Single person, before rebate. Price varies by state.)
Recommended: Tas
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: 100% ($27 benefit for flouride treatment, other services fully covered)
- Surgical extraction: $174
- Root canal: $172
Hearing aids
- Per device: $1000
- Limited to 2 devices every 5 years
Other services
- Optical: $300 per year
- Physiotherapy: $223 for 5 visits
- Podiatry: $168 for 5 visits
Fund: Westfund
Price: $57-$63 per month (Single person, before rebate. Price varies by state.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $122
- Surgical extraction: $145
- Root canal: $140
Hearing aids
- Per device: 100% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $1400
Other services
- Optical: $250 per year
- Physiotherapy: $210 for 5 visits
- Podiatry: $170 for 5 visits
Restricted funds
Fund: CBHS
Price: $79-$91 per month (Single person, before rebate. Price varies by state.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $125
- Surgical extraction: $177
- Root canal: $145
Hearing aids
- Per device: 70% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $1600
Other services
- Optical: $375 per year (sublimits for individual items apply)
- Physiotherapy: $233 for 5 visits
- Podiatry: $170 for 5 visits
Fund:
Defence Health
Price: $63-$70 per month (Single person, before rebate. Price varies by state.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $129
- Surgical extraction: $118
- Root canal: $111
Hearing aids
- Per device: 100% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $1000
Other services
- Optical: $255 per year (sublimits for individual items apply)
- Physiotherapy: $223 for 5 visits
- Podiatry: $188 for 5 visits
Fund:
Navy Health
Price: $107 per month (Single person, before rebate.)
Recommended: All states
Dental cover
- Regular checkup: $158
- Surgical extraction: $168
- Root canal: $161
Hearing aids
- Per device: 100% of fee
- Limit per 3 years: $1300
Other services
- Optical: $350 per year
- Physiotherapy: $275 for 5 visits
- Podiatry: $233 for 5 visits
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