Why get private health insurance?
Avoid public waiting lists
Public waiting lists tend to be much longer than if you go through the private system.Choose your doctor and hospital
You get to pick where you're treated and choose your preferred doctor. You can also get your own private room.Save on tax
If you earn over $90k, you'll get hit with the Medicare Levy Surcharge tax – unless you take out health insurance.Access services not covered by Medicare
Private health insurance can cover services that the Australian public healthcare system doesn't. These include dental, optical and physiotherapy (extras).Tips to get better value for your money
Consider a restricted fund
There are restricted funds for teachers, police officers and various union members. They often come with more benefits and sometimes premiums are cheaper.Don't get couples health insurance
A survey from Finder found that about 3.5 million Aussies have a couples policy. While it may be more convenient, most couples have different individual health needs, which means that you're often paying for services one of you doesn't need.Mix and match your hospital and extras
When you take out hospital and extras cover, it's often better value to go with 2 separate funds. For example, Medibank might have the better hospital insurance policy for you but that doesn't mean you need to get extras with them if ahm are offering a better deal.Compare your cover every year
Health insurance premiums increase every April. It's always worth checking how much your current insurer plans to put its prices up. By switching, you could avoid paying more.More guides on Finder
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Cost of childbirth in Australia: Public vs private costs
Prenatal care in Australia is covered by Medicare, meaning it’s mostly free through the public system. You can choose to go private, which comes with a lot of benefits – but there are out-of-pocket expenses to watch out for.
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What is a waiting period for health insurance?
Find out what a waiting period is and when you need to serve them.
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ahm health insurance review
ahm offers a broad range of policies with affordable premiums, but if you’re looking for the lowest price possible, cheaper options are available.
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Medibank health insurance review
With reasonable prices and strong benefits, several Medibank policies were highly commended in the 2024 Finder Health Insurance Awards.
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Mildura Health Fund review
The regional health fund has limited choice, with only two levels of hospital cover. But, it does offer some impressive perks too.
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How to switch health insurance: Step-by-step
This guide looks at the reasons people switch, and what it means for your waiting periods. You can also compare new options with over 30 Australian health funds.
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Ambulance cover in Australia
Get affordable cover for ambulance transport if you are not already covered under Medicare. Compare quotes from Australian funds to decide which level of protection is best for you.
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Paying for health insurance with a credit card
Can you pay for your health insurance cover with a credit card? Find out in this handy guide.
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Suspending your health insurance policy
Can you (and should you) suspend your health insurance policy when you travel overseas? Find out here.
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Health insurance deals and offers for October 2024
Find out about the latest health insurance deals and special promotions.
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