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nib Health Insurance
nib Health Insurance
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie GarranCompare Health Insurance Policies
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Long story short
More no-gap options
nib has a network of providers across Australia with no-gap options for 91.7% of services, which is higher than the national standard of 88.3%.2Commonwealth Ombudsman – State of the Health Funds Report, p19
Get health perks without having full cover
nib’s free, no-commitment subscription service, GreenPass, offers health checks, online consultations, and discounts on wellness products.
Health programs for members
nib offers eligible members free health programs, like home chemotherapy, diabetes management and joint rehabilitation services.
Since its start in 1952 to support BHP Steelworks employees in Newcastle, NSW, nib has grown to become one of Australia’s largest health funds, supporting 1.6 million people with quality cover.
nib aims to empower people in their health journey. It offers eligible members health management programs and digital tools for personalised care right from their phones.
What makes nib different?
As part of its mission to help people enjoy better health, nib provides discounts, rewards, and member-only benefits.
More no-gap options
nib’s network offers more no-gap options, with 91.7% of their services being gap-free (higher than the state average of 88.3%).3As above nib also comes in above the national extras coverage average of 51.1%, at 57.5%.4As above
nib MediGap
With nib’s MediGap network, you could find a specialist who’s agreed to waive some or all of their extra fees to help you lower those out-of-pocket costs.
Rewards program
With nib’s rewards program, members can get even more value from their membership. The program offers discounts on health, groceries, online offers, and more.
Targeted health programs
Eligible members can take advantage of specialised services, such as home chemotherapy, home rehabilitation for those with muscle, joint, and bone conditions, and specialised diabetes management programs.
What type of policies does nib offer?
nib policies are designed to suit a range of needs, making it easy to find cover that fits you. With nib’s easy-to-understand plans, you can get good value for money and top-notch customer service.
Hospital cover: Hospital cover can help you skip those long wait times for surgeries and treatments, so you can get the care you need sooner. Plus, it lets you choose your doctor and hospital for that extra peace of mind.
Extras cover: If staying healthy means keeping up with out-of-hospital treatments like dental, physio or optical, then extras cover is for you. This covers services that Medicare doesn’t, so you can keep on top of your health in the ways that matter most to you.
Hospital and extras cover: For someone who wants the whole package, combined hospital and extras cover is what you need. Whether it’s for hospital treatment or to claim on your regular dental or chiro sessions, a combined policy should have you covered.
What do I get with nib’s GreenPass?
nib’s GreenPass is a great option for those who want to dip their toes into health insurance without committing to a full policy. If you’ve just jumped off your family plan or haven’t thought about health insurance until now, GreenPass is a no-commitment service designed for anyone who wants to focus on their health and well-being.
GreenPass is less like traditional health insurance and more like a subscription service. It gives you access to health checks, online consultations, e-scripts, and more. That’s not to mention discounts on things like gym memberships, meal subscriptions, and exercise-related products. And since nib believes everyone should have access to health support, you can get GreenPass for free.
Which private hospitals does nib health insurance have an agreement with?
Needing treatment in the hospital is stressful enough as it is, so being able to choose a doctor or hospital you trust can make all the difference. And if that doctor has an agreement with nib, it could mean you have less to pay out of pocket. So, while you’re free to choose your provider as a private patient, double-checking if they’re partnered with nib is always a good option to help soften the blow of your bill.
Luckily, nib Health Insurance has agreements with most private hospitals across Australia. So, you’re more likely to find one close to home, making everything a little easier on both your wallet and your peace of mind.
Helpful tip:
Did you know that nib, like some other health insurers, offers a discount just because of your age? If you’re under 30 you could get up to 10% off your health insurance policy. While the exact discount differs depending on how old you are, it stays in effect until you’re 41, at which point it’ll start reducing by 2% per year.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the waiting period for nib health insurance?
Every nib service has a waiting period ranging from one day to 36 months, depending on what you need. If you’ve got your eye on a specific service, it’s a good idea to check the waiting periods for each. And if you aren’t happy with nib’s service, they even offer a 30-day cooling-off period, so you’ll get a full refund on any premiums paid (provided you haven’t made any claims).
If you’re switching health insurers at the same or a lower level of coverage, nib will honour any waiting periods you’ve already completed, so you won’t have to start from scratch.
For those with pre-existing conditions, the waiting period for hospital treatment is 12 months, whether you’re new to health insurance, switching, or increasing your coverage. (There are some exceptions for mental health conditions.)
How do I claim with nib health insurance?
Claiming with nib is designed to be as easy as possible, with a few different claiming methods.
For most extras claims
- Swipe your card: At reception, you can swipe your nib membership card if your specialist has a HICAPS (Health Industry Claims and Payment Service) terminal, making it easy to claim on the spot.
- nib app: You can claim on the go by snapping a photo of your receipt with the nib app. Just click the claims button, choose the type of service, upload your receipt and submit the claim.
- Claim online: Log into nib online services, click ‘claim now’, choose the service, and upload a photo of your receipt before submitting your claim.
Hospital treatment claims
For in-hospital treatment, you can claim in two ways:
- Claim online with a Medicare statement of benefits. Once you’ve requested your statement, in about 10 days you’ll be able to download it from your Medicare account. Once you have it, you can claim online like you would for extras claims.
- Claim via Medicare. This involves a two-way claim form, which you’ll need to complete along with a Medicare claim form. Attach the specialist invoice and submit it to Medicare. They’ll then process the claim and forward it to nib.
How do excesses work with nib health insurance?
Excesses work to potentially lower your health insurance premium. By opting to pay a little more in the case of a hospital admission, you help your insurer cover a part of your larger bill. Since this means less out of their pocket and a little more out of yours, most health insurers will lessen your premium to lighten the load.
You’ll only ever need to pay an excess if you’re admitted as a private patient, but the amount and the number of times you’ll have to pay it will differ based on your policy and what you choose. With nib, the excess amount is up to $750 per person. For most family policies, you’ll only pay your chosen excess level twice in a calendar year.
Choosing the right excess level can help you save. If you aren’t planning a hospital visit anytime soon, it could work out better to have a higher excess in exchange for a lower premium. But if hospital visits are a likely event throughout the year, it might be more cost-effective to opt for the lower excess.
How do I pay for my nib health insurance?
nib is extremely flexible when it comes to making payments. You can pay fortnightly, monthly, or annually. You can set up a direct debit or pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
What other health funds does nib operate?
nib also operates some other well-known health funds across Australia, including:
- AAMI health insurance
- Apia health insurance
- GU health insurance
- ING health insurance
- Priceline health insurance
- Qantas insurance
- Real health insurance
- Seniors health insurance
- Suncorp health insurance
How can I save on my health insurance premium?
The simplest way to save on your health insurance premium is to regularly check how your policy stands against others in the market. If it’s been a while since you reviewed it, a comparison could help you find better value. Locking in before March 31 (the usual annual rate rise) could also mean getting some more savings.
If you still want to try and save as much as possible, there are age-based discounts available for 18 to 30 year olds.
Ready to find and compare nib policies?
Let’s make it easy! You can start looking into nib health cover with iSelect’s secure and simple online application or chat with our health comparison experts at 1800 784 772.
Start comparing policies with iSelect to see if we can help find the cover that’s right for your needs.
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- 1.nib – About us
- 2.Commonwealth Ombudsman – State of the Health Funds Report, p19
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