Private Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Content OageHero Image CRO Overlay Image

Written by

|

Edited by

Updated 23/03/2023
What changed?
Latest information about 1 April 2023 premiums increase
|
Fact checked
Our aim is to help you make better informed decisions. That’s why iSelect’s content is produced in accordance with our fact-checking and editorial guidelines.
|

Find out more about how we make money.

View our Privacy Policy.

Updated 23/03/2023

What changed?

Latest information about 1 April 2023 premiums increase
Our aim is to help you make better informed decisions. That’s why iSelect’s content is produced in accordance with our fact-checking and editorial guidelines.

Edited by

Angela Phung

Find out more about how we make money.

View our Privacy Policy.

Health Insurance
Hospital Cover
Extras Cover
Health Insurance Waiting Periods
Pregnancy
The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MSL)
Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHC)
Health Insurance and Tax
Ambulance Cover
Managing Your Policy
Finding A Policy
Rate Rise
Switching Health Insurance
Family

Health Insurance

What is private health insurance?

What does private health insurance cover?

How does private health insurance work?

Which health insurance is the best?

Why should I take out private health insurance?

Who offers health insurance in Australia?

How many Australians have health insurance?

Public vs. private health insurance comparison

Can I check how Australian health funds are performing?

Is private health insurance worth it?

What happens if I don’t have health insurance?

Why is health insurance important?

What impacts the cost of health insurance?

Can I claim health aides (Eg: orthotics) and health improvement services on private health insurance?

What is a Private Health Information Statement (PHIS)?

What are Fund Rules?

What is a recognised provider?

Hospital Cover

How does hospital cover work?

Why should I get Hospital Cover?

What are the private health insurance product tiers?

What is an excess and a co-payment?

Am I likely to pay an out-of-pocket cost above my excess or co-payment for medical costs?

What does ‘no gap’ mean in health insurance?

Do I have to wait to claim? What is a pre-existing condition in health insurance?

What is an excess?

Does health insurance cover home nursing?

Does hospital cover provide coverage for rehab and chemo at home?

Can I claim weight loss surgery on private health insurance?

Does private health cover insulin pumps?

Does private health insurance cover X-rays, ultrasounds, and other preventative tests?

Does private health insurance cover out patients specialists’ consultations?

Are youth discounts available for those aged 18-29?

What’s the Private Patients Hospital Charter?

Extras Cover

How does Extras cover work?

What’s the difference between routine, complex and major dental?

Are braces covered by health insurance?

Is Invisalign covered by private health insurance?

Are veneers and teeth whitening covered by private health?

Are dental implants covered by private health insurance?

Does Medicare cover dental treatment?

Does Medicare cover wisdom tooth removal?

What is gap free preventative dental?

Can I claim pharmacy with my health insurance?

Can I claim wellness programs and gym membership with my health insurance?

Does private health insurance cover hearing aids?

Health Insurance Waiting Periods

What is a waiting period?

How can I avoid health insurance waiting periods?

Do I have to reserve waiting periods if I switch funds?

How long will I have to wait before I’m eligible for dental/optical/chiro/physio services?

Pregnancy

Should I buy private health insurance for pregnancy?

What is the waiting period for pregnancy cover?

Which type of health insurance covers pregnancies?

Is my baby also covered under a pregnancy policy?

If I’m planning a family, when do I need to take out health insurance for pregnancy?

Does private health insurance cover IVF treatments?

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)^

What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

Do I have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

What is the difference between Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge?

How can I avoid the risk of paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

^This should be treated as general information only, for specific tax advice it’s recommended you speak with an accountant or financial advisor.

Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHC)

What is Lifetime Health Cover Loading?

Is the private health insurance rebate applicable to the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading on health insurance premiums?

I’ve just turned 30; do I have to purchase private health insurance?

I’ve just become a permanent resident; can I purchase private hospital cover without Lifetime Health Cover loading?

I’ve just received a letter about Lifetime Health Cover. What do I need to do?

Health Insurance and Tax

What is the Medicare levy?

Is private health insurance tax deductible?

How can I claim the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance?

What happens if I nominate an incorrect rebate tier?

Do I need to let my health fund know what my income is to determine my rebate tier?

What happens if my or my family’s income changes from one tier to another during the financial year?

What’s Savings Provision Entitlement?

What is a Medicare levy exemption?

What is a Medicare entitlement statement?

What is the Private Health Insurance Australian Government Rebate?

Who should claim a private health insurance Australian Government Rebate?

Ambulance Cover

What is ambulance cover?

What insurance covers ambulance?

How can I get the Ambulance Levy Exemption?

Does Medicare cover ambulances? If not, how am I covered?

Managing Your Policy

What is the process to claim on health insurance?

What’s the excess on my health policy?

When does private health insurance reset?

What happens if I cancel my health insurance?

What happens if any member of our family passes away?

How do you add a partner to your health insurance?

Can you have your health insurance with more than one fund?

What is the benefit of changing my excess amount?

Finding A Policy

How can I choose health insurance?

How do I compare health insurance plans?

How do I find health insurance for specific treatments?

Is there a right age to have health insurance?

How much health insurance coverage do I need?

How long does it take to be covered by your health insurance policy?

Does my age, health, or lifestyle impact the price of my health insurance policy?

Rate Rise

What should I know about premium Increases?

Why did my health insurance go up?

Switching Health Insurance

How long does it take to switch my health insurance?

How do I change my health insurance policy?

What should I look out for when reviewing my insurance?

Family

How much is health insurance for a family?

What should I know about covering dependents to age 31 and covering dependents with a disability?

What is family health insurance, and how does it work?

Which is the best health insurance for a family of two?

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Need help with health insurance?

We can help you find a suitbable product for your needs

iSelect does not compare all health insurance providers or policies in the market. The availability of policies will change from time to time. Not all policies available from its providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements, your stated needs and circumstances, not all policies compared by iSelect are available to all customers. Some policies and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers