With over 48 000 policies out there it’s worth having a look to make sure you’re getting the best product for your circumstances.

You can shop around by:

  • Using one of the comparator websites. CHOICE has reviewed the major ones
  • Speaking to your current insurer to see if they have a product that better suits your needs
  • Seeing if you are eligible to join a restricted health fund
  • Using the government’s own comparator website

Keep an eye out for:

  • The rebate level you’re entitled to from the government. The rebate may reduce the amount you pay for your insurance (your premium). It’s calculated on your household pre-tax income, so make sure you’re selecting the right tier
  • Restrictions the fund may put on which health professional you can see. Most insurers have ‘preferred providers’ which they will pay out higher benefits for. You can check out which hospitals your insurer has a contract with. For extras, look at your insurer's website
  • How much extra you will have to pay when you see a health professional – most products won’t cover the whole amount of a hospital stay, dentist visit, new pair of glasses or any other appointment.
    • For hospital insurance look for the amount you might pay in ‘excesses’ or ‘co-payments’
    • For extras insurance look for the tables of benefits and see how much they pay per appointment or benefit. Then call your dentist or preferred provider to see how much they charge you for a typical visit. The difference between those two costs is what you’ll pay out of your pocket in addition to the premiums you’re paying

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