Couples Health Cover

Many couples consider health cover an important investment in peace of mind — giving you the confidence to handle life’s ups and downs or happy surprises together.

Whether you’re planning to start a family or face the short or long term illness of your partner, having private couples health cover and knowing you’re covered gives you the confidence to take on any health issue that may come your way.

There are many reasons why couples take out private health insurance. Typically, they are seeking peace of mind — the security of knowing they can get immediate access to the right level of care and treatment that they require while being financially protected.

As a privately insured patient you may insure against some or all of the costs of health services not covered by Medicare, such as:

• Hospital expenses (theatre fees or accommodation) as a private patient in either a public or private hospital
• Dental treatment, Chiropractic treatment, Home nursing, Podiatry
• Physiotherapy, Occupational, Speech and Eye therapy
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Prosthesis and other ancillary services

Consumers are also encouraged to purchase private health cover by a range of Government incentives including the 30% rebate on private health insurance, and the Lifetime Health Cover loading where, from the age of 31, a 2% loading is applied to each year a person is not continuously covered by private health insurance. In addition, tax penalties apply (Medicare Levy Surcharge) for couples earning $150,000* and above without private health insurance.

A young couple may want hospital cover that includes obstetrics. Including fertility treatments will mean higher premiums. The focus will be on quality hospital cover, with basic extras that don't include things like prosthetics and hearing aids that they're unlikely to need at this life stage.

* Based upon the Commonwealth Budget announced 13 May 2008 (updated 14/5/08).

Life Stages

Singles

Young Couples

Families with Children

Empty-Nesters

Retirees