GUIDES & RESOURCES

Health Funds: Learn more about iSelect’s participating Health Insurers

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a Private Health Insurance policy. But avoid the temptation of jumping at the first option. Doing your homework could save you money and ensure that you’re covered for the things you really need.
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*iSelect does not compare all providers or policies in the market and not all policies or special offers are available at all times, through all channels or in all areas. Not all policies available from our providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements and customer circumstances, not all policies compared by iSelect are available to all customers.  Learn more.

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Updated 19/05/2023
What changed?
Additional content about GMHBA; updated content about partner insurers to focus on particular benefits.
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Written by

Francis Taylor

Updated 19/05/2023

What changed?

Additional content about GMHBA; updated content about partner insurers to focus on particular benefits.
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.

Compare Health Insurance Policies

Save time and effort by comparing a range of Australia's health funds with iSelect*

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Comparing Health Insurance policies from our range of participating insurers can be as simple as calling us on 13 19 20 and chatting to someone on our friendly team.  

But before giving us a call, it can be helpful to get a more thorough understanding of each of our health fund partners, so that you can choose one that suits your budget and needs. 

Our range of health funds providers

When you compare health funds with us, you’re seeing some of Australia’s most respected and well-established brands. So while you might find one that suits you better than another, they’re all well worth considering.

ahm

ahm

For over 40 years, ahm has had a single, simple aim: to make Private Health Insurance less complex. And they must be doing something right because they have over 700,000 members1 

Backed by Medibank, one of Australia’s largest health insurers, ahm offers Health Insurance that’s flexible and easy to navigate online.  

Benefits of joining ahm 

  • Get up to 10% off ahm travel insurance2 
  • Enjoy savings on brands such as Specsavers, Goodlife Health Clubs, and OPSM3 
AIA

AIA 

A life insurance specialist with 50 years of experience, AIA Australia offers a range of products that protect the financial, health and wellbeing of millions of Australians4.  

Benefits of joining AIA5 

  • Access to Vitality, a health and wellbeing program that rewards you for learning about and making small improvements to your health 
  • A 5% discount on your premium for your first year 
  • Earn hundreds of dollars in vouchers to spend on a range of popular retailers each year 
Australian Unity

Australian Unity

Australian Unity, established in 1840, is one of Australia's oldest health insurers6. 

Benefits of joining Australian Unity 

  • Mix and match your hospitals and extras cover to meet your needs. 
  • Improve your wellbeing with activities on the My Real Wellbeing app. 
  • Save on everyday expenses such as groceries, petrol and movie tickets with The Wellplan Rewards Program7. 
Bupa

Bupa

Entering the Australian market in 2002 with the goal to ‘prevent, relieve and cure sickness and ill-health of every kind8, Bupa has been committed to offer Australians a broad range of services to help improve the nation’s health. 

Benefits of joining Bupa9

  • Member-only discounts with the Life Rewards program
  • 10% off at over 300 dining venues 
  • A tiered reward system based on years of membership 
Frank

Frank

Frank Health Insurance is a not-for-profit health fund that provides affordable Hospital and Extras cover for singles, couples, single parents and families.   

It launched in 2009 but has over 80 years of private health insurance experience from its parent company, GMHBA10. 

Benefits of joining Frank11 

  • Discounts on optical and dental for extras policy holders 
  • Telehealth consultations across a range of services 
  • Physio and strength training programs with Kieser 
GMHBA

GMHBA

GMHBA is an Australian not-for-profit health insurance and care company. They have served the community since 1934, and have become one of Australia’s leading regionally-based private health insurers12.

Benefits of joining GMHBA 

  • Trust – GMHBA won the Canstar 2022 Outstanding Value Hospital Cover VIC - Health Insurer Award13 
  • Premiums will be frozen until 1 October 202314 
  • Telehealth consultations covered for a range of services15 
HCF

HCF

HCF has been helping Australians get the most from their health insurance since 193216. 

They won the Canstar National Award for Outstanding Value in Health Insurance for the 7th year in a row (2016 - 2022)17 and are Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund18. 

Benefits of joining HCF19 

  • 5% off selected purchases at Ramsay Pharmacies 
  • Discounts on HCF travel insurance and pet insurance 
  • Access to online GP service, GP2U 
Latrobe

Latrobe

Latrobe Health Services is an Australian-owned not-for-profit registered private health insurer with more than 81,000 members across Australia20. 

Latrobe won two Canstar awards for most outstanding value hospital and extras policy and hospital policy in Victoria in 2020 and 202121. 

Benefits of joining Latrobe Health22 

  • Hospital and Extras covers to suit all circumstances at affordable prices 
  • Around 90 cents in every dollar received is given back to members’ claims 
  • High quality customer service 
nib

nib

Over 1.5 million Australians and New Zealanders trust their medical and health insurance to nib23 

Whether you’re single and looking for value, a couple wanting to stay fit and well, or keeping up with a busy family, nib provides Hospital and Extras choices to suit your age and life stage. 

Benefits of joining nib24: 

  • 4% off health cover when paying by direct debit 
  • 10% off Australian resident Hospital cover policies for under 30s 
  • Up to 30% off a range of services including natural therapies, spa, and beauty25 
TUH

TUH

TUH is a member-owned health fund that was created 50 years ago for teachers and their families26.  

As a not-for-profit health fund, TUH’s profits go towards creating quality health insurance products and services for its members, not its shareholders. 

Benefits of joining TUH 

  • Fast, easy claiming through the TUH app 
  • Trust – TUH is ranked in the top 3 for most trusted, high-quality Private Health Insurance, and customer service in IPSOS Health Care & Insurance Australia 202127 

What else should I consider before choosing a health fund? 

1) Review your current policy

Once people choose a health fund, they tend to stay put. In some cases this is because they believe they’ll have to re-serve waiting periods for particular services on their hospital policy.  

If you were to switch to a higher level of cover with new procedures covered, you'll most likely need to serve a waiting period for the upgraded services. 

But generally you don’t have to re-serve if you change health funds at the same, or lower level of cover. In fact, legislation guarantees you don’t have to re-serve waiting periods for services you were covered for with your previous fund if you switch funds for hospital cover. This is called continuity of cover.  

So don’t forget to review your current policy to check that your premium is competitive.  

Remember, though, to check the policy’s terms and conditions  to ensure you won’t need to re-serve waiting periods before you make a change. 

2) Review your extras

A lot of people opt for Hospital cover as well as general treatment (extras) cover for services like dental, physiotherapy, optical, and others.  

But remember that health funds will vary on what services they offer and what you’ll get back as rebates.  

So make sure your cover meets your needs and is competitively priced. Weigh up the policy’s cost against the services you get and the benefits paid.  

For example, some policies set their benefit limits (for each service) on a per person basis, while others apply family benefit limits on each service. 

 

3) Let us help

There’s no getting around it; shopping for private health insurance can be tricky business.  

But we can help untangle the maze by comparing policy combinations from our range of participating funds and policies and to help you find a suitable choice quickly and simply*. 

4) Consider an excess to save

Health funds generally offer hospital policies with either an excess fee, or co-payments, or sometimes both.

You could save on your premium by agreeing to share the cost of your hospital bill by paying an excess or co-payment. 

Generally, the higher the excess or co-payment you’re willing to pay, the lower your premium. 

Excess and co-payments explained:

An excess fee is an upfront payment you agree to pay before hospital benefits are payable.  

The excess is generally applied on each admission into hospital for the year, however, it could be capped at a total amount that you would have to pay in a year. 

A co-payment could be a lesser amount that is paid each day for the services that you receive in hospital. For example, a $50 co-payment for a three day hospital visit would amount to $150. 

Like an excess fee, the co-payment that you pay in a year may be limited to a set amount. Conditions and limits for co-payments and excesses often vary between funds, so it’s important to check your policy to ensure it will suit you and your family.

Ready to look for a health provider?

Well, now you’re ready and armed to choose a health insurance provider. But remember that we’re here to help you compare health insurance policy benefits from our range of providers.* To get going, just call us today on 13 19 20.


Sources:
1 ahm - About Us 
2 ahm - Travel Insurance 
3 ahm - Perks
4 AIA - Who we are
5 AIA - AIA Vitality Benefits 
6 Australian Unity - About Us 
7 Australian Unity - Rewards and Discounts 
8 Bupa - Our Story 
9 Bupa - Life Rewards 
10 Frank - About Us 
11 Frank - Frank Benefits 
12 GMHBA - About Us 
13 GMHBA - Health Insurance 
14 GMHBA - Premium Freeze 

15 GMHBA - Telehealth 
16 HCF - Our History 
17 HCF - Awards 
18 Australian Government, Private Health - HCF.  
19 HCF - Member Offers and Discounts 
20 Latrobe Health - Who We Are 
21 Latrobe Health - Latrobe Wins Outstanding Value Awards Back to Back 
22 Latrobe Health - Who We Are
23 nib - About Us 
24 nib - Member Benefits 
25 nib - nib Rewards 
26 TUH - Why Choose TUH 
27 TUH - Enquire 


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