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Understanding health insurance
Health insurance doesn't have to be overwhelming. Get across the basics, types of cover and all things relating to costs, tax and government incentives with these helpful resources.
What brings you here today?
The basics
New to private health insurance? Discover how it works, what it covers and how to get started. Learn how Australia's healthcare system works and find out whether private health insurance could be right for you.
Learn how private health works alongside Medicare to give you more choice, potentially quicker access to care, and peace of mind.
From braces to knee replacements, find out what different policies cover.
A step-by-step checklist to help you choose the right cover, set up your policy, and make your first claim.
Types of cover
Health insurance in Australia consists of hospital and extras cover. You can choose to take out just the one or combine hospital and extras cover to get the best of both.
Pays benefits towards your hospital accommodation, theatre fees and specialist care when you’re treated as a private patient in hospital.
Helps pay for everyday health services that Medicare generally doesn’t cover, like dental care, physio, and optical.
Costs, tax and government incentives
The Australian Government has several initiatives designed to encourage people to take out health insurance earlier in life and make it more affordable. Here’s how these incentives can affect what you pay for cover.
Learn what influences the cost of your cover and how to make the most of your policy.
If you're a higher-incomer earner, private health insurance can change how much tax you might have to pay. Learn how having cover affects your annual tax return.
As a higher-income earner you could pay more tax. Learn how you could avoid it by holding an eligible hospital policy.
About to turn 31? Learn how hospital cover can help you avoid LHC and keep your premiums lower up to the age of 41.
Find out if you qualify for a government subsidy to help lower the cost of your private health insurance premiums.
If you're aged 18 to 29, you can get a discount on your hospital premium, up to a maximum of 10% off. Learn how it works.
Want to compare health insurance?
Comparing health insurance? See the GMHBA difference and what to consider when choosing cover.
Switching is easier than you think. We’ll handle the paperwork with your old fund, and you won’t have to re-serve waiting periods for equivalent cover.
Common questions about private health insurance
Medicare allows people to access essential healthcare services at low or no cost, and is available to all Australian citizens, permanent residents, and some visitors on a reciprocal rights visa.
Private health insurance works alongside Medicare by providing benefits for members towards the cost of services that are not funded or only partially funded by Medicare, helping to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Not necessarily, it depends entirely on your budget, health needs, and lifestyle.
Hospital cover is designed for peace of mind if you end up in hospital, giving you more choice over things like your doctor, and skipping public waiting lists. It could also help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) if you're a higher income earner.
Extras cover helps cover the costs of everyday health care like visiting the dentist, physio appointments, or a new pair of prescription glasses. You can choose to have just hospital or extras or take out both.
If you don't have eligible private hospital cover on or before the 1st of July following your 31st birthday, you'll incur a Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading of 2% on top of your premium for every year you are over 30 without cover. This loading stays active for 10 continuous years once you do take out cover, so getting in early is a great way to save in the long run.
If you switch to GMHBA from another fund and select a level of cover that is equal to or lower than your previous policy, you won't have to re-serve waiting periods for any services you were already covered for. If you upgrade your cover, you'll only need to serve the waiting period for the brand-new or higher benefits.
For many Australians, private health insurance can be worth it for two main reasons: choice and cost.
Hospital cover gives you more choice over your doctor or specialist, where you're treated and when you receive care, which may help you avoid long public hospital waiting lists. It may also help higher income earners avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).
Quick resources
Don't let industry jargon get in the way. Our quick glossary explains common terms like 'excess', 'gap', and ‘waiting periods’.
Have questions about how long you have to wait to claim on certain dental, optical, or hospital treatments? Read our simple guide.