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Compare Hospital Cover Health Insurance in Australia

Hospital cover has four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver & Gold. Find out what’s included in each.

  • We can help you decide which level of Hospital cover is right for you

  • Compare policies, sit back & save money (we’ll even do the paperwork)

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Talk to a Health Insurance Expert

Cameron Conley Health Insurance Expert
Simon Ah-him, Health Insurance Consultant at Money.com.au
Chris Whitelaw General Manager Health Insurance Money.com.au

Our dedicated Health Insurance experts are here to help. Updated 11 Jun 2026.

Hospital cover

Featured offers

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Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 26 July 2026. T&Cs apply.*

Our Hospital cover comparison includes...

ahm logoAustralian SeniorsAustralian Unity logoBupa Health InsuranceFrank Health InsuranceGMHBA logoHBF logoHCF logoHIF Health InsuranceHunter Health Insurance logonib logoReal Insurancert-health-logosee-u by hbf

Michael found Hospital cover for $40/week cheaper with Money.com.au

Michael health insurance case study

Michael from Brisbane

"I needed to find a good but cost effective cover for an upcoming procedure but I had no idea where to start. I spoke to Cameron at Money.com.au who was sensational and an absolute life saver. He helped me not only quickly and easily find the right cover but he also helped me keep it well within budget. I had tried multiple methods, going it alone proved too difficult and other health insurance comparators took me through a long winded process that left me feeling more overwhelmed and confused. I managed to get everything I needed in my cover for only $20/week, it was outstanding considering I was quoted over $60/week from other places."

Michael from Brisbane

More happy health insurance customers...

"Very efficient and helpful. Max was well informed and had answers to all my questions. "

Sameer Kalra1 week ago

"Ben Nicholson delivered exceptional customer service, assisting me in selecting appropriate health insurance and following up to ensure my satisfaction. Thnnk you so much for your help. "

baljinder singh1 week ago

"Ben personalised our health insurance cover and was very patient explaining all our options and answering questions. He saved us a lot of time researching and halved our existing expense. Ben was honest and knowledgeable, we will be recommending him to family and friends. "

Julia Giuliani2 weeks ago

"Nicholas Lee Brown was very helpful explained the benefits and answered all our questions was not at all pushy and felt very comfortable with our discussion"

Donna Kerr2 weeks ago

"Good experience. Provided a good outcome for my family."

leo manyatis2 weeks ago

"Chevy was very professional. He went over all the options and we couldn’t be happier with our choice of cover. "

Jill Panas2 weeks ago

"Chevy Purdy was very helpful and informative "

Margaret2 weeks ago

"Nick and the team at Money.com.au delivered exceptional service and made finding the right health insurance simple and stress-free. Their professionalism, transparency, and genuine care immediately gave me confidence that I was receiving trustworthy advice tailored to my needs. Nick explained every option clearly, took the time to answer all my questions, and ensured I felt completely comfortable with my decision. What stood out most was their commitment to securing great value for money without compromising on quality cover. I highly recommend Money.com.au to anyone looking for reliable guidance, outstanding customer service, and a team that truly has their customers’ best interests at heart."

J White2 weeks ago

"I was looking at changing health funds and previously I’ve been told that they couldn’t match the deal I was currently getting. They found a better match for me, only $12 a month cheaper but the extras were double to triple to what I was getting now. So I switched"

linda downey3 weeks ago

"I saved a lot transferring to another health fund on their advice. Will check with them from time to time to make sure I pay the lowest rate possible."

Trang Tran3 weeks ago

"Jerome Fitzpatrick quickly and efficiently helped us save with our health insurance. He was happy and friendly and had us swapped over in no time. Thanks Jerome"

Glenda Clark3 weeks ago

"Jerome Fitzpatrick was great to deal with "

Aaron Rika3 weeks ago

"Jerome Fitzpatrick was very helpful in setting up our new healthcare policy with HCF. The new policy is comparable with our previous policy & will help us save several hundreds of dollars per year. "

Jean3 weeks ago

"I would like to thank Ben Nicholson for his help in finding me the right health insurance extras. I was very happy with the service provided with no hassle very smooth transaction thank you Ben "

Leeanne Christensen3 weeks ago

"Daniel was knowledgeable and was a quick easy process, got me a way better deal on my private health insurance. Appreciate it"

Chris Brydon1 month ago

"Nick's service was great. He knew his stuff and was able to help me work out exactly what I needed. Much appreciated! Thank you Nick 🎉"

Bernadette Winn1 month ago

"Ben was highly professional. His knowledge was exceptional and his attention to detail in exploring options with me was also exceptional. He gave me great confidence in making a final decision about health insurance."

Pauline Pearson1 month ago

"Ben was instrumental in setting us up with a health fund that just right for our needs at this stage in our lives. I highly recommend Money.com.au "

Robert Coe1 month ago

"Great service. Ben helped so much to set up my health fund swap over. Cheaper with same options etc. thank you Ben."

Ian Sone1 month ago

"So helpful! Saved me a bunch of time and money. Thankyou for your assistance and efficiency."

Zoe Vardy2 months ago

Showing our favourite reviews.

What’s the best Hospital cover in Australia?

The following health insurers have performed strongly for Hospital cover, based on the most recent State of the Health Funds Report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman (released in March 2026). These comparisons focus on open membership funds, which are available for anyone to join.

Best Hospital cover for member retention

  • Onemedifund: 93.2%
  • Hunter Health Insurance:: 89.5%
  • Mildura District Health Fund: 89.4%
  • Health Partners: 88.7%
  • HBF: 88.4%

Best Hospital cover for hospital-related charges covered

  • Hunter Health Insurance: 93.8%
  • HBF: 91.1%
  • Health Partners: 91.0%
  • Onemedifund: 90.8%
  • Mildura District Health Fund: 90.7%

Best Hospital cover for medical services with no gap

  • HBF: 92.7%
  • Australian Unity: 90.6%
  • Peoplecare: 90.3%
  • Bupa: 90.2%
  • Phoenix Health Fund: 90.2%

Best Hospital cover for benefits paid as a percentage of contributions

  • AIA Health: 90.4%
  • HCF: 87.8%
  • Health Partners: 87.2%
  • Phoenix Health Fund: 87.0%
  • Medibank: 85.6%

Note: No single indicator should be used as an indicator of an insurer’s overall performance.

What is Hospital cover?

Hospital-only cover is a private health insurance policy that helps pay for treatment and accommodation when you’re admitted as a private patient in a public or private hospital. Depending on your level of cover, it typically pays benefits towards costs like hospital stays, surgery, theatre fees and doctors’ charges.

One of the key advantages of Hospital cover is that it gives you more choice when it comes to your doctor or specialist, and it can help you avoid public hospital waiting lists by allowing treatment in a private facility. There are also tax benefits and rebates for taking out an appropriate level of cover.

According to our health insurance analysis, around 12.3 million Australians have some form of Hospital cover, either as a standalone product or as a combined Hospital and Extras policy. This includes cover held under singles, couples, family and single parent policies.

Hospital cover tiers explained

Hospital cover in Australia is divided into four tiers, each offering different levels of inclusions and price points:

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Basic

Basic Hospital cover offers minimal coverage and is designed mainly to provide access to private hospital treatment for a limited number of services. Basic policies usually include restricted cover for certain procedures and are often chosen to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) or Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading, rather than for comprehensive protection (we’ll speak more to this below).

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Bronze

The next tier is Bronze Hospital cover, which includes a wider range of treatments than Basic cover. It typically covers services such as joint reconstructions, hernia and appendix procedures and gastrointestinal endoscopies. It generally excludes treatments like pregnancy, heart-related procedures and joint replacements. Bronze policies might be a good option if you’re after more than minimal cover but want to avoid the higher premiums of Silver or Gold tiers.

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Silver

Silver Hospital cover builds on Bronze and generally includes heart and vascular procedures, blood disorders, major dental surgery and the implantation of hearing devices. According to the latest report from the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA), Silver is the most popular Hospital tier among Australians switching funds. It’s especially popular with seniors, with more than 70% of Aussies over 60 choosing Silver or Silver Plus Hospital cover.

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Gold

Gold health insurance is the highest level of private Hospital cover available in Australia, offering the broadest coverage and the most extensive benefits. It includes all 38 clinical categories listed on PrivateHealth.gov.au, covering treatments like rehabilitation, palliative care, mental health care (hospital psychiatric services), cataracts, joint replacements, cover for pregnancy and birth, and more. Despite being the top tier in Hospital cover, Gold policies only account for 3.5% of total sales, likely due to its higher cost.

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The Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold tier system was introduced in 2019 to make it easier for Australians to compare Hospital cover. But recent research from Money.com.au paints a different picture – only 31% of Australians say they easily understand the tier system. Meanwhile, 56% say they somewhat understand it, and 13% find it just as confusing as the old insurer-specific policies.

What are you covered for with Hospital-only health insurance?

Hospital-only health insurance covers you for treatment as a private patient in a public or private hospital. It typically includes hospital accommodation, theatre fees, and a portion of the doctor and specialist fees while you’re admitted.

The exact treatments you're covered for depend on your policy tier – Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold – each of which includes specific clinical categories as outlined by the Australian Government. Again, you may be able to add certain treatments from higher tiers provided the fund allows it.

Hospital cover also helps you avoid or reduce the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading, and may offer shorter wait times for elective surgery.

While it doesn’t cover out-of-hospital services like dental, physio or optical (those are included under Extras cover), Hospital cover is designed to give you more choice, control and peace of mind around when and where you receive treatment.

Hospital treatments covered per tier

Clinical category

Rehabilitation

Basic

R

Bronze

R

Silver

R

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Hospital psychiatric services

Basic

R

Bronze

R

Silver

R

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Palliative care

Basic

R

Bronze

R

Silver

R

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Brain and nervous system

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Eye (not cataracts)

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Ear, nose and throat

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Tonsils, adenoids and grommets

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Bone, joint and muscle

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Joint reconstructions

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Kidney and bladder

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Male reproductive system

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Digestive system

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Hernia and appendix

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Gastrointestinal endoscopy

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Gynaecology

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Pain management

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Skin

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Breast surgery (medically necessary)

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

Y

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Heart and vascular system

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Lung and chest

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Blood

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Back, neck and spine

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Dental surgery

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Podiatric surgery (provided by a registered podiatric surgeon)

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Implantation of hearing devices

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

Y

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Cataracts

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Joint replacements

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Dialysis for chronic kidney failure

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Pregnancy and birth

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Assisted reproductive services

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Weight loss surgery

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Insulin pumps

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Pain management with device

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical category

Sleep studies

Basic

O (R)

Bronze

O

Silver

O

Gold

Y

Clinical categoryBasicBronzeSilverGold

Rehabilitation

R

R

R

Y

Hospital psychiatric services

R

R

R

Y

Palliative care

R

R

R

Y

Brain and nervous system

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Eye (not cataracts)

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Ear, nose and throat

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Tonsils, adenoids and grommets

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Bone, joint and muscle

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Joint reconstructions

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Kidney and bladder

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Male reproductive system

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Digestive system

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Hernia and appendix

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Gastrointestinal endoscopy

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Gynaecology

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Pain management

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Skin

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Breast surgery (medically necessary)

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)

O (R)

Y

Y

Y

Heart and vascular system

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Lung and chest

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Blood

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Back, neck and spine

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Dental surgery

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Podiatric surgery (provided by a registered podiatric surgeon)

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Implantation of hearing devices

O (R)

O

Y

Y

Cataracts

O (R)

O

O

Y

Joint replacements

O (R)

O

O

Y

Dialysis for chronic kidney failure

O (R)

O

O

Y

Pregnancy and birth

O (R)

O

O

Y

Assisted reproductive services

O (R)

O

O

Y

Weight loss surgery

O (R)

O

O

Y

Insulin pumps

O (R)

O

O

Y

Pain management with device

O (R)

O

O

Y

Sleep studies

O (R)

O

O

Y

Source: PrivateHealth.gov.au. Y indicates the clinical category is a minimum requirement of the product tier. (R) refers to restricted cover. O means that it’s optional for health funds to include or offer these as additional clinical categories.

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It’s common for health funds to offer variations of each Hospital cover tier, such as ‘Bronze Plus’ or ‘Silver Plus’. According to PrivateHealth.gov.au, all policies must meet the minimum requirements of their base tier, but ‘Plus’ policies can include extra treatments from higher tiers. For example, if you only need Bronze cover but want access to a treatment usually included in Silver, you may be able to add it, depending on the fund.

How much is Hospital cover?

Hospital cover in Australia typically costs between $85 and $270 per month for singles, $169 to $525 for couples, and $174 to $541 for families, including single-parent families. Your premiums will vary based on factors such as your age, location, and the level of cover you choose – Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Your income also affects how much you pay, as it determines your eligibility for the Private Health Insurance Rebate. Higher income earners without Hospital cover may be charged the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS), while those who delay taking out cover after 31 could face the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

Lastly, the health fund you choose can impact the cost of your premiums, especially if they’re offering discounts or sign-up incentives. These deals often include a few weeks free, cashback offers or eGift cards to add extra value when joining.

A $612 annual saving with better-suited Hospital cover

Cameron Conley, Money.com.au Health Insurance Team Lead

Cameron Conley, Health Insurance Team Lead at Money.com.au

"One of the most common issues we encounter is people overpaying for Hospital cover they don’t need. A couple from Victoria recently got in touch because their Gold-tier policy was costing them $509 per month. It included clinical categories, like pregnancy and weight loss surgery, which were of zero use to them.

By switching them to a more cost-effective Silver Plus policy, we were able to retain coverage for key services like joint replacements and cataracts, but with a $612 per year saving versus their old cover and a reduced $100 excess for day procedures.

By switching funds, the couple also got an extra saving of $634 in the first year through an introductory offer. In total, the switch saved them more $1,200 in the first year."

Cameron Conley, Health Insurance Team Lead at Money.com.au

How to choose the best Hospital cover

Given the range of tiers and health funds available, deciding on the best health insurance for your needs can some complicated, but there are some really key points to prioritise. Here’s how to choose the best Hospital cover for your needs:

  1. Assess your healthcare needs

    Start by thinking about your current health and any foreseeable medical needs. Are you planning to start a family? Do you have a chronic condition that may require hospitalisation? Are you nearing an age where joint replacements or other age-related treatments might become relevant? Knowing what you may need cover for – whether now or in the future – can help you narrow down your choices. If you’re young and healthy, a lower level of cover might be enough, but as your circumstances change, your needs may too.

  2. Review your existing cover

    If you already have Hospital cover, it’s worth revisiting your policy at least once a year. Health funds often update what’s included or excluded under their policies, and your needs may have changed since you last signed up. Check if your current cover still aligns with your lifestyle, and whether you’re paying for things you don’t need, or missing out on things you do.

  3. Compare your options

    Use a health insurance comparison tool to compare policies side-by-side. Look beyond the price as what’s included in the cover matters just as much. Consider factors like the types of hospital treatments covered, whether you have access to your preferred or local providers, and whether you’ll be treated as a private patient in a public or private hospital.

  4. Check the excess and co-payments

    These are the out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay when you're admitted to hospital. An excess is a lump sum you agree to pay, usually once per hospital admission, while a co-payment is a set daily charge for each day you stay in hospital. Choosing a higher excess or co-payment can reduce your premium, but it's important to make sure the amount is manageable if you ever need to claim. Some policies also place a cap on how often you have to pay these costs – such as limiting the excess to once or twice per year, or capping the co-payment to a set number of days per admission – so it's worth checking the fine print to understand your total potential out-of-pocket costs.

  5. Be mindful of waiting periods

    Most Hospital policies have waiting periods for certain services, especially for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, and psychiatric care. If you’re switching policies, you may not have to re-serve waiting periods for equivalent cover, but you will if you’re upgrading to a higher level of cover. Make sure you understand what you’re covered for immediately versus what you’ll need to wait for.

  6. Choose a suitable level of Hospital cover

    Hospital cover in Australia is categorised into four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each tier includes a standard set of treatments, and some funds offer “Plus” versions (e.g. Bronze Plus), which include selected treatments from higher tiers. Your goal should be to choose a level that covers the treatments you’re most likely to need, without overpaying for services you’ll never use.

Chris Whitelaw General Manager Health Insurance Money.com.au

Chris Whitelaw, General Manager – Health Insurance at Money.com.au

“With premiums rising every April, making sure you’re getting the best value for money has never been more important – and it’s a big reason why so many Australians turn to us for help. Our experts take the time to understand your situation by asking the right questions, so we can compare Hospital policies not just on price, but also on what they cover, the benefits they offer, and which one is likely to be the best fit for your needs.”

Chris Whitelaw, General Manager – Health Insurance at Money.com.au

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New research from Money.com.au reveals eight in ten Australians with private health insurance (80%) support reforms to private hospital funding.

More than half (53%) favour any model that reduces patient out-of-pocket costs, while 27% support the Federal Government’s proposed Activity-Based Funding (ABF) model, which would pay private hospitals a standard price for treatments based on the type and volume of care provided.

Just 20% say the current system should remain, where private hospitals are funded through a mix of insurer contracts, patient fees and Medicare benefits.

Why take out Hospital cover?

Here are the main reasons why Australians take out Hospital cover, according to our recent survey:
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Avoiding the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)

Higher-income earners without eligible Hospital cover are charged an additional tax – the MLS. Taking out cover helps you reduce or avoid this extra cost. The Medicare Levy Surcharge ranges from 0% to 1.5%, depending on your household income.

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Choosing your own hospital or doctor

Private Hospital cover gives policyholders the flexibility to select their preferred hospital and specialist, rather than being assigned one through the public system. However, your ability to choose may still depend on the availability of doctors and hospital facilities at the time you need treatment.

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Skipping public waiting lists

Accessing treatment through the private system can significantly reduce wait times for elective surgeries compared to the often lengthy queues in the public health system. Waiting periods will still apply on your cover for various treatments (e.g. 12 months for pregnancy).

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Dodging the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading

Australians who delay taking out Hospital cover past the age of 31 can be hit with a financial loading. The LHC is a 2% loading on top of your premium for every year you are aged over 30. Getting covered early helps avoid this long-term penalty.

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Covering the whole family

Parents often take out Hospital cover to ensure their children have access to private care if they need it, especially for unexpected or urgent health issues. This often involves switching to family or single-parent cover, which provides protection for both the parent and their dependants.

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Managing ongoing health conditions

People with chronic or pre-existing health concerns may choose Hospital cover for better access to treatment, rehabilitation or ongoing care that may not be readily available through the public system. Waiting periods on your cover will still apply, however.

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In 2025, the top Hospital services requested by our Money.com.au customers were access to private hospitals (93.58%), bone, joint, and muscle treatments (35.69%), back, neck, and spine care (35.32%), and heart and vascular services (33.78%).

Our latest Money.com.au survey found that 51% of Australians said they use their Hospital cover to claim benefits once or twice a year. Meanwhile, 31% reported never making a claim, 10% claimed 3 to 5 times annually, 5% used it six to 10 times, and 2% said they claimed more than 10 times a year.

Private Hospital cover vs Medicare

Private Hospital Cover

  • Choose your own doctor or specialist in hospital
  • Access to private hospitals and potentially shorter waiting times for elective surgery
  • May help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you earn above the income threshold
  • Covers a private room (if available and included in your policy)
  • May cover for additional services like rehabilitation or psychiatric care, depending on your level of cover
  • Can avoid the Lifetime Health Cover loading by taking out cover before age 31
  • May allow you to claim on a broader range of services and treatments

Medicare

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  • Doctor or specialist is assigned to you in the public system
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  • Treated in public hospitals, with potentially long waiting times
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  • You may need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you don’t have private cover and earn above the threshold
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  • Typically accommodated in a shared room in public hospitals
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  • Covers only medically necessary treatments under the public system
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  • No protection from the Lifetime Health Cover loading – applies if you delay taking out private cover
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  • Only covers services listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)

Is Hospital cover worth it?

Cost is the biggest reason Australians don’t have private Hospital cover, with 80% citing it as the main barrier in our survey. While the cost of premiums can be a downside, 72% of those with cover said it gives them peace of mind.

In fact, insurers paid out $18.4 billion in Hospital benefits in the 12 months to September 2024, according to the latest APRA data.

Despite the cost concerns, many find Hospital cover worthwhile because it offers faster access to treatment, more choice of doctors, and protection from tax penalties like the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

With nearly half of policyholders regularly using their cover and billions paid out annually, Hospital cover can provide important financial and health security, especially when unexpected medical issues arise.

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Hospital cover FAQs

Private Hospital cover helps pay for your treatment and accommodation when admitted to a hospital. You choose your policy based on the level of cover you want. When you need hospital care, your insurer covers agreed costs after any excess or co-payments, giving you more choice and potentially faster access than public care.

Hospital cover is not mandatory in Australia for citizens and permanent residents. However, higher-income earners without private Hospital cover may pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge as a financial penalty.

While not compulsory, many Australians take out cover to avoid this surcharge and benefit from greater choice and reduced wait times.

In addition, overseas visitors on certain visas are required to have a level of Hospital cover.

Medicare covers hospital treatments in public hospitals but does not cover private hospital costs or allow you to choose your doctor. Hospital cover provides additional benefits like private hospital access, choice of specialists and potentially shorter wait times for elective surgeries.

Hospital cover generally pays for your accommodation, theatre fees, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and sometimes rehabilitation or psychiatric care. Coverage details vary between policies, so it’s important to check what’s included and whether any treatments are excluded or have waiting periods.

Premiums for Hospital cover vary depending on factors like your age, location, insurer and level of cover chosen. For singles, monthly premiums typically range from around $85 to $335, while families can expect higher costs. Premiums also usually increase annually, commonly in April.

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is an additional tax on Australian taxpayers earning above a certain income threshold who don’t have appropriate private Hospital cover. It ranges from 1% to 1.5% of income and aims to encourage people to take out private insurance, reducing pressure on the public system.

Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is a penalty added to your private Hospital cover premiums if you delay taking out cover after turning 31. It adds 2% to your premium for each year you wait, up to a maximum of 70%, incentivising early uptake of private insurance.

Yes, the Australian Government provides a Private Health Insurance Rebate that subsidises Hospital premiums based on your age and income. The rebate can reduce your premium cost significantly, and you can choose to receive it as a direct discount or claim it as a tax refund.

In most cases, private Hospital cover lets you select your preferred hospital and specialist, giving you more control over your care. However, your choices may be limited by doctor availability, hospital agreements and the specifics of your policy.

Ambulance services are generally not included in private Hospital cover and often require separate ambulance insurance under an Extras policy. However, residents of Queensland and Tasmania are automatically covered by their state governments.

An excess is a fixed amount you pay upfront either per hospital admission or per policy year before your insurer covers the rest. A co-payment is a daily fee charged for each day you stay in hospital. Choosing higher excess or co-payments can reduce your premiums but increases your out-of-pocket costs when admitted.

Pre-existing conditions usually have a waiting period, often 12 months, before you can claim treatment related to them. Insurers assess your medical history when you apply, and the waiting period is designed to prevent people from joining only when they need immediate treatment.

Yes, you can switch Hospital policies at any time. If you’ve already served the waiting periods with your previous fund, you won’t have to re-sit them, unless you’re switching to a higher level of cover. It’s important to compare the new policy carefully and understand if you’ll lose any benefits or face new waiting periods.

Yes, Hospital cover can include pregnancy and birth services, but this is typically only available under Gold-tier policies. A 12-month waiting period usually applies, meaning you’ll need to have held your Gold cover for at least 12 months before you can claim benefits for maternity-related hospital services.

Yes. Family and single-parent Hospital cover policies include dependants, generally up to age 31 (though, some conditions may apply). This ensures your children have access to private hospital care if needed.

No, Hospital cover is not tax deductible in Australia. However, having an eligible private Hospital policy can help reduce or avoid certain tax liabilities, such as the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

If your income exceeds the Medicare Levy Surcharge threshold and you don’t have private Hospital cover, you’ll be required to pay the surcharge – an additional tax of up to 1.5% of your income, designed to encourage private insurance uptake.

Most claims are processed directly between your health insurer and the hospital, so you may not need to pay upfront. For out-of-pocket expenses, you submit invoices or receipts to your insurer for reimbursement, either online, by phone or through an app.

Yes, with Hospital cover, you can elect to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital, which may allow choice of doctor and private rooms, depending on availability. This option varies by state and hospital policy.

Jared Mullane is a finance writer with more than a decade of experience at some of Australia’s biggest finance and consumer brands. His areas of expertise include energy, home loans, personal finance and insurance. Jared is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821).

Sean Callery is the Editor of Money.com.au. He has over 15 years of international experience. He is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821) and is compliant to provide general advice in Tier 1 General Insurance (RG 146) products.

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