Check out our range of private health funds
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.
What is Silver Cover?
Silver Cover is the second-highest tier of Private Hospital Cover. And if you happen to be a silver fox, a silver medallist, or born with a silver spoon in your mouth, it’s also aligned with your personal brand.
What are the different Health Insurance tiers?
In Australia, Private Hospital Cover is generally separated into four tiers: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Basic. The government has mandated specific minimum treatments each tier has to cover. This means you can be confident that a plan on a particular tier with any provider contains the same minimum treatments.
Who is Silver Cover suitable for?
Silver Cover: get the facts
What’s included in Silver Cover?
In a Silver Policy, you get the same hospital treatments you’d find in the Basic and Bronze deals. But you’re also getting coverage for extra therapies without any restrictions, like matters of the heart, lungs, blood, your back and spine, some plastic and reconstructive surgery that’s medically necessary, dental surgery, podiatric surgery, and even getting your hearing devices implanted.
How much does Silver Cover cost?
This can depend on a number of things like your age, location and income, but as a ballpark, starter Silver Policies generally come in at $30 per week or a little less for a single person. You’ll also see plenty of Silver Plus Policies out there. These policies have all the required benefits of a Silver Policy, along with some additional hospital treatments added into the mix. As a result, they tend to cost a little extra – you might find them starting out at similar prices to the regular Silver Policies and ranging up to almost $42 per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Silver Cover address common health problems?
Silver Cover tackles some of the most common health hiccups in Australia. Take heart conditions, for instance. In 2022, heart conditions were the leading cause of death and the sixth most common chronic health issue in Australia.1Australian Bureau of Statistics – Causes of Death, Australia and Health conditions prevalence So they might be something you feel better being covered for, especially if you’re getting on in years, as prevalence increases with age. And with Silver Cover, this is one less thing you need to worry about.
Worried about asthma? You’re in good company – in 2022, it was Australia’s fourth most common chronic health issue, affecting more than 10% of the population.2As above Breathe easy, because Silver Cover steps in for lung and chest treatments.
Did you know that a whopping 15.7% of Australians had back problems in 2022?3As above Silver Cover has your back, literally. It jumps in for back, neck, and spine issues, ensuring you’ll get the care you need.
After those big numbers, are you wondering what the most prevalent chronic health condition is? In 2022 it was mental and behavioural conditions, affecting a huge 26.1% of the Australian population.4As above So where does Silver stand on that one? Silver Cover includes hospital psychiatric services on a restricted basis, meaning that it might partially cover costs if you’re a private patient in a public hospital. For unrestricted cover, you’ve gotta go for the next step up in cover – Gold. Keep in mind that this is just for hospital treatment, though. If you see a psychiatrist or psychologist outside of hospital, Medicare could cover some or all of the cost, as could an Extras Policy that covers psychology.
What’s not included in Silver Cover?
While Silver Cover has your back on a bunch of common health issues, there are a few things it generally doesn’t cover. For instance, if you’re eyeing up cataract surgery, planning a joint replacement, or dealing with chronic kidney issues that need dialysis, Silver Cover won’t be suitable.
Here are the primary exclusions of Silver Cover:
- cataracts
- joint replacements
- dialysis for chronic kidney failure
- pregnancy and birth
- assisted reproductive services
- weight loss surgery
- insulin pumps
- pain management devices
- sleep studies
While you could potentially find some of these in a Silver Plus Policy, you usually won’t find them in a standard Silver Plan.
What is Silver Plus Cover?
A Silver Plus plan has everything you’ll find in a standard Silver Plan – plus more! You could find a bonus treatment or two that are listed under Gold in the Australian Government’s hospital treatment product tiers. That could include treatments like joint replacements, cataracts, insulin pumps, sleep studies and more. Think of it as a step between the Silver and Gold tier.
Does Silver Cover come with Waiting Periods?
When you sign up for Silver Hospital Cover, you’ll see some pesky waiting periods. Here’s the lowdown:
- Twelve months for pre-existing conditions: If you’ve had signs or symptoms in the six months before joining or upgrading, you’ll be in waiting mode for a year before you can claim on that particular health issue.
- Two months for psychiatric, rehabilitation, and palliative care: This includes pre-existing conditions.
- Two months in all other circumstances.
If you switch insurers or policies without a coverage break, you’re in the clear for waiting periods you’ve already completed, as long as you’re switching to the same or a lower level of coverage. But for new or upgraded items, buckle up for some waiting.
How do I compare Silver Policies?
If you’re still scratching your head about which cover is best for you, consider calling our Health Insurance comparison experts. Getting a second opinion on the best fit for your particular circumstance is always a good idea.
Give us a shout at 1800 784 772, or if getting the deets online is more your speed, try it now. Our trained consultants are standing by, ready to guide you through the insurance wilderness and help you find a policy that suits.