What is Basic Hospital cover?
Basic Hospital cover has some great key inclusions, plus all the GMHBA goodies. Plus, for high income earners it could help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time.
Understanding hospital cover levels
Finding the right hospital insurance for you can be overwhelming. That's why the Australian Government introduced a tiers system to help you identity and compare similar hospital covers across health providers.
Hospital cover comes in four simple tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
See a 'Plus' option? If a product covers more services than it's tier requires (but not enough for the tier above) it is classified as a plus cover e.g. Basic Hospital Plus.
Benefits of private hospital cover
With private hospital cover, you have the option of being treated as a private patient, often within a private hospital.
Hospital cover gives you the option to choose your own doctor or specialist and you can avoid the public hospital waiting list by receiving treatment in a private hospital.
Earn over $101k as a single or $202k as a couple? Did you know that getting hospital cover may save you money at tax time?
^Pricing based on Single, aged 30 living in VIC earning $101,000 or less (Base Tier Australian Government Rebate) and excludes . Prices and displayed products can change if details vary.
Compare GMHBA's Basic Hospital covers
-
Accident Only Hospital (Basic)
FROM$ 19 .35
Hospital Excess $750Minimum basic hospital cover with Accident Protection-
Upgraded cover in the event of an accident
-
Excess waiver for same day stays
-
Emergency ambulance cover
- Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
- Joint reconstructions
- Hernia and appendix
- Gynaecology
- Dental surgery
- Brain and nervous system
- Eye (not cataracts)
- Ear, nose and throat
- Bone, joint and muscle
- Kidney and bladder
- Male reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer
- Pain management
- Skin
- Breast surgery (medically necessary)
- Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)
- Blood
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)
- Podiatric surgery (by an accredited podiatric surgeon)
- Back, neck and spine
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative care
- Heart and vascular system
- Lung & Chest
- Implantation of hearing devices
- Sleep studies
- Cataracts
- Joint replacements
- Dialysis for chronic kidney disease
- Insulin pumps
- Pain management with device
- Hospital psychiatric services
- Pregnancy and birth
- Assisted reproductive services
- Weight loss surgery
-
-
Basic Plus Starter Hospital
FROM$ 19 .75
Hospital Excess $750Basic plus hospital cover with some key inclusions, as well as Accident Protection-
Upgraded cover in the event of an accident
-
Excess waiver for same day stays
-
Dental surgery
-
Joint reconstructions
- Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
- Joint reconstructions
- Hernia and appendix
- Gynaecology
- Dental surgery
- Brain and nervous system
- Eye (not cataracts)
- Ear, nose and throat
- Bone, joint and muscle
- Kidney and bladder
- Male reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer
- Pain management
- Skin
- Breast surgery (medically necessary)
- Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)
- Blood
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)
- Podiatric surgery (by an accredited podiatric surgeon)
- Back, neck and spine
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative care
- Heart and vascular system
- Lung & Chest
- Implantation of hearing devices
- Sleep studies
- Cataracts
- Joint replacements
- Dialysis for chronic kidney disease
- Insulin pumps
- Pain management with device
- Hospital psychiatric services
- Pregnancy and birth
- Assisted reproductive services
- Weight loss surgery
-
-
Basic Plus Starter Hospital and SmartCare Starter Boost Extras
FROM$ 26 .15
Hospital Excess $750HOSPITAL FEATURES-
Upgraded cover in the event of an accident
-
Excess waiver for same day stays
-
Dental surgery
-
Joint reconstructions
EXTRAS FEATURES-
100% back on preventative dental and optical
-
60% back on other claims
-
Annual limit rollover
- Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
- Joint reconstructions
- Hernia and appendix
- Gynaecology
- Dental surgery
- Brain and nervous system
- Eye (not cataracts)
- Ear, nose and throat
- Bone, joint and muscle
- Kidney and bladder
- Male reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer
- Pain management
- Skin
- Breast surgery (medically necessary)
- Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)
- Blood
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)
- Podiatric surgery (by an accredited podiatric surgeon)
- Back, neck and spine
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative care
- Heart and vascular system
- Lung & Chest
- Implantation of hearing devices
- Sleep studies
- Cataracts
- Joint replacements
- Dialysis for chronic kidney disease
- Insulin pumps
- Pain management with device
- Hospital psychiatric services
- Pregnancy and birth
- Assisted reproductive services
- Weight loss surgery
- Annual limit rollover
- Optical
- General dental
- Major dental
- Orthodontics
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
- Remedial massage
- Acupuncture
- Myotherapy
- Podiatry
- Orthotic appliances (foot)
- Psychology
- Mental health support
- Audiology
- Hearing aids
- Blood glucose monitor
- Extremity pump
- Nebuliser pump
- Sleep apnoea monitor
- Tens monitor
- Pressure garments
- Prostheses (non-surgical)
- Orthopaedic appliances
-
Age-based discount
The age-based discount is a perk for the under 30s. It's a 2% reduction on premiums for each year you might be aged under 30 when you purchase eligible hospital cover. The highest age-based discount that can be applied is 10% for 18 to 25 year olds.
Canstar approved, four years in a row!
GMHBA has done it again with Canstar’s 2025 Winner of Outstanding Value Award – Hospital & Extras Insurance: VIC. We are proud to provide Australians with 5 star health cover for our hospital and extras products.
Introducing the SmartCare Extras range
$500 flexible limit to spend your way on included services
- 100% back on preventative dental* at any dentist
- 60% back on other included services
- Covers chiro, general dental, osteo and physio.
$1,000 annual limit to spend your way on included services
- 100% back on preventative dental* at any dentist
- 60% back on other included services
- Covers chiro, general dental, osteo and physio plus 8 others services.
$1,500 annual limit amount to spend your way on included services
- 100% back on preventative dental* at any dentist
- 60% back on other included services
- Covers chiro, general dental, osteo and physio plus 19 other services.
Why choose GMHBA?
Founded by cement workers in Geelong to make everyone feel cared for.
90 years on, as a not-for-profit health insurance and care company, that care still stands strong. Our size may have changed but who we are remains the same.
Your health and wellbeing are always put first because we want to make sure you get personalised cover for the moments that matter.
Whatever stage of life you’re at, we’re here for you.