Hospital or Extras? Making Sense of Health Insurance in Australia
If one thing can spin your head more quickly than a shady roundabout, it’s attempting to grasp private health insurance in Australia. You’ve most likely been told to use “Hospital cover” and “Extras cover” before but what exactly are they? And more so, which do you require?
Hospital Cover: For the Big Stuff
Think of Hospital cover as your ticket to private hospitals. It’s the part of your insurance that helps cover your treatment if you’re admitted to hospital, whether it’s for surgery, an emergency procedure, or having a baby. It can mean:
- Skipping the public hospital waitlists
- Choosing your own doctor or specialist
Without Hospital cover, you’ll receive treatment under Medicare, but it may mean waiting a bit longer or sharing a room with strangers and their snores.
Do I Need It?
If you need greater control over your care, quicker waiting times, or if you’re having a family, Hospital cover may be the way to go. Also, after you turn 31, the government begins applying Lifetime Health Cover loading if you don’t take it out, so the longer you leave it, the higher it’ll be.
Extras Cover: For the Everyday Stuff
Now, Extras cover is an entirely different animal. Extras cover the out-of-hospital services Medicare won’t touch such as:
- Dental check-ups and fillings
- Optical (glasses and contact lenses)
- Physio and chiro
- Remedial massage
- Psychologists and more
These are services used by many Aussies on a regular basis, particularly families, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants to stay on top of their health without huge out-of-pocket expenses.
Do I Need It?
If you’re visiting the dentist twice a year, wearing glasses, or are a fan of a post-workout remedial massage Extras can easily be worth it. But if you don’t visit these places that often, you could simply be throwing money away. Look at your receipts and determine whether you would be better off paying as you go.
Can I Get One Without the Other?
Yes! You can take only Hospital, only Extras, or both. It depends on what you can afford and what your lifestyle is. There are combined policies that many insurers provide, but you do not need to take them together.
For instance, you might have Hospital cover from one fund and Extras from another there’s no requirement they have to be packaged. Just don’t forget to compare properly premiums, waiting periods, and benefit limits can be quite different.
What’s the Best Option?
There’s no easy answer here. But here are a few quick scenarios:
- Young and fit? You could forego Extras and take basic Hospital cover to avoid the Lifetime Health Cover loading.
- Have children in the family? A mid-to-high level Extras plan can save thousands on orthodontics, glasses, and physio.
- Fitness fan with health concerns? Extras with massage, chiro, and physio coverage could be every dollar worthwhile.
- Tight budget? Opt for no-frills Hospital cover to prevent Medicare surcharges and maintain flexibility.
Final Word: Don’t Set and Forget
Health needs evolve. What you liked two years ago may no longer be for you today. Check over your cover every 12 months you may get more bang for your buck or save cash by changing. Still confused? That’s where we can assist. At Utility Market, we assist average Aussies to compare health insurance plans- no mumbo, no jumbo, just honest advice that’s specific to you.
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