Will I get a private room on Bronze Hospital cover?

Bronze cover does not guarantee a private room. Room allocation depends on hospital availability, the treating doctor and your insurer’s agreements. Some policies may offer private rooms for certain treatments, but it’s less common than with higher-tier covers.

Can I choose my own doctor with Bronze cover?

You can usually choose your preferred doctor in a private hospital if they're available and have an agreement with your insurer. However, it’s important to check if your chosen doctor is covered before treatment.

Is there an excess on Bronze Hospital cover?

Yes, most Bronze policies have an excess amount, which is the out-of-pocket sum you pay when admitted to hospital. Choosing a higher excess can reduce your premiums, but be prepared for these upfront costs if you need hospital care.

What treatments are excluded from Bronze cover?

Bronze excludes many high-cost procedures such as pregnancy and birth, joint replacements and cataract surgery. Mental health, palliative care and rehabilitation services are usually restricted.

Can I add Extras cover to Bronze Hospital insurance?

Yes, you can generally add Extras cover (like [dental](/health-insurance/extras-cover/dental), optical and physiotherapy) separately from your Bronze Hospital policy. Bundling Extras may offer better value but doesn’t affect what your Hospital cover includes.

Does Bronze Hospital cover include ambulance services?

Ambulance coverage varies by insurer and state. Some Bronze Hospital policies include ambulance cover, while others require you to add it separately via an Extras policy or rely on state-funded services if you’re in Queensland or Tasmania.

How long are waiting periods on Bronze Hospital cover?

Waiting periods typically range from 2 months for general treatments to 12 months for pre-existing conditions. Check your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for all of these details.

How do I know if Bronze cover suits my needs?

Review your typical health requirements and budget. If you don’t anticipate needing pregnancy care or complex surgeries and want basic hospital protection, Bronze or Bronze Plus can be a value-for-money choice – but always compare policies carefully.

Bronze Hospital Cover & Bronze Plus Policies Australia

What is Bronze health insurance?

Bronze health insurance is a low-tier level of private Hospital cover in Australia. It includes at least 18 core clinical categories, such as hernia and appendix, ear, nose and throat, and chemotherapy for cancer. It excludes higher-cost treatments like joint replacements, pregnancy and heart-related procedures which are found on Silver or Gold cover.

Bronze policies must meet the minimum standards set by the Australian Government, ensuring cover for medically necessary hospital treatment in either a public or private hospital. It’s a suitable option for those who want more than Basic cover but don’t need the broader protection offered by Silver or Gold.

Australia’s Hospital cover is divided into four tiers: Basic Hospital cover, Bronze Hospital cover, Silver Hospital cover and Gold Hospital cover. Each tier guarantees a minimum level of cover, with higher tiers including more treatments. Some insurers offer “Plus” versions, like Bronze Plus, which add extra services for greater flexibility without jumping to the next tier.

What does Bronze Hospital cover include?

Bronze Hospital cover provides unrestricted coverage for 18 of the 38 clinical categories, offering protection for a range of common medical treatments.

Brain and nervous system: Covers treatment for conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, such as strokes, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

Eye (not cataracts): Includes hospital treatment for eye conditions, excluding cataract procedures.

Ear, nose and throat: Encompasses treatments like tonsillectomies, sinus surgeries and other related procedures.

Tonsils, adenoids and grommets: Covers surgeries related to the removal of tonsils and adenoids and insertion of grommets.

Bone, joint and muscle: Includes treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, excluding joint replacements.

Joint reconstructions: Covers surgeries to repair and reconstruct joints, such as ACL repairs.

Gynaecology: Encompasses treatments related to the female reproductive system, excluding pregnancy and birth.

Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy: Covers hospital treatment for miscarriage management and pregnancy terminations.

Kidney and bladder: Includes treatment for kidney infections, kidney stones, incontinence or bladder dysfunction.

Male reproductive system: Includes treatments related to the male reproductive organs, such as prostate surgeries.

Digestive system: Covers treatments for conditions affecting the digestive tract, including endoscopies and hernia repairs.

Hernia and appendix: Encompasses surgeries for hernia repairs and appendectomies.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy: Includes procedures like colonoscopies and gastroscopies for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer: Covers cancer treatments involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

Pain management: Encompasses treatments aimed at managing and alleviating pain, excluding those involving implanted devices.

Skin: Includes treatments for skin conditions, such as removal of skin lesions and infections.

Breast surgery (medically necessary): Covers medically necessary breast surgeries, excluding cosmetic procedures.

Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps): Encompasses hospital treatment for diabetes-related conditions, excluding the provision of insulin pumps.

Bronze has restricted cover for three categories: rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. “Restricted” means your health fund will only pay the minimum default benefits, which are usually not enough to cover treatment in a private hospital. If you’re admitted for one of these services, you may need to be treated in a public hospital or face significant out-of-pocket costs in a private facility.

Are there waiting periods on Bronze tier policies?

Yes, waiting periods apply to Bronze Hospital cover, just like all levels of private health insurance in Australia. These are set timeframes you must wait before claiming certain services.

Here are the typical waiting periods for Bronze Hospital cover:

No waiting period for accidents that require immediate hospital treatment due to an unforeseen injury.

No waiting period if you're switching to the same or lower level of cover and have already served waiting periods.

1 day for ambulance services, if included in your cover (note: ambulance is state-funded in Queensland and Tasmania).

2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care services – even if pre-existing.

2 months for new conditions that arise after you take out the policy, like a sudden appendix or hernia issue.

12 months for pre-existing conditions, which are assessed by your health insurer’s medical advisor.

Note: Bronze policies don’t include pregnancy-related services, so the 12-month wait for this category only applies if you upgrade to a higher tier like Silver Plus or Gold.

Bronze Hospital cover generally costs between $93 and $140 per month for singles policies, $186 to $275 for couples and familiy cover, and $150 to $220 for policies covering single-parent families, according to Money.com.au analysis.

Your Bronze Hospital premium will depend on several personal factors, such as your age, location, chosen insurer and whether you’re eligible for the Private Health Insurance Rebate – a government subsidy that reduces your premium based on your income and age.

You could also face extra charges like the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading if you didn’t take out eligible Hospital cover by July 1 after turning 31. This loading can increase your premium by up to 70% and stays in place for 10 years.

If you’re a high-income earner without any eligible Hospital cover, you may be charged the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) – an extra 1% to 1.5% of your income at tax time. Taking out Bronze or higher Hospital cover can help you avoid this surcharge.

Chris Whitelaw General Manager Health Insurance Money.com.au

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

“Bronze provides a decent layer of protection and may suit individuals, couples and families who want more than the bare essentials, without paying for higher-tier cover. Just don’t expect to be covered for complex hospital treatments like spinal procedures – unless you choose a Bronze Plus policy that includes them. If you're planning to start a family or have more children, keep in mind that pregnancy and birth services are not available on Bronze cover, even with Plus. These are typically only included under Silver Plus or Gold Hospital policies.”

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

Pros and cons of Bronze cover

Pros

Affordable entry point into private Hospital cover for singles, couples and young families.

Offers protection for common procedures like hernia repair, tonsil removal and chemotherapy.

Flexible upgrade path through Bronze Plus, allowing you to add select treatments without jumping to a higher tier.

May help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading, even at the base Bronze level.

Cons

No cover for pregnancy, birth or IVF, making it unsuitable for people planning a family.

Restricted benefits for psychiatric, rehab and palliative care can lead to unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

May exclude access to some private hospitals or surgeons, depending on your policy and provider.

May not be the best health insurance for seniors, as many age-related hospital treatments aren’t covered.

Here’s a quick comparison of the key differences between Bronze cover to the other hospital tiers:

Feature / Tier	Coverage scope
Bronze	Covers 18 clinical categories, with many exclusions and restrictions
Silver	Covers 26 clinical categories, with some exclusions or restrictions
Gold	Covers all 38 clinical categories without restrictions
Basic	Covers essential and emergency hospital treatments only
Feature / Tier	Pregnancy and birth
Bronze	Usually excluded
Silver	Often excluded or limited, unless added to a Silver Plus policy
Gold	Included, usually with 12-month waiting period
Basic	Excluded
Feature / Tier	Pre-existing conditions
Bronze	12-month waiting period applies
Silver	12-month waiting period applies
Gold	12-month waiting period applies
Basic	12-month waiting period applies
Feature / Tier	Psychiatric and rehabilitation care
Bronze	Restrictions apply
Silver	Restrictions apply
Gold	Included with standard 2-month waiting period
Basic	Restrictions apply
Feature / Tier	Premium cost
Bronze	Moderate
Silver	Moderate to high
Gold	Highest
Basic	Lowest
Feature / Tier	Out-of-pocket costs
Bronze	Higher
Silver	Moderate
Gold	Lowest for covered treatments
Basic	Highest for non-covered treatments
Feature / Tier	Ideal for
Bronze	People on a budget with basic hospital needs
Silver	Those looking for mid-level cover
Gold	People needing comprehensive care or pregnancy services
Basic	Those needing minimal cover for emergencies only

Feature / Tier	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Basic
Coverage scope	Covers 18 clinical categories, with many exclusions and restrictions	Covers 26 clinical categories, with some exclusions or restrictions	Covers all 38 clinical categories without restrictions	Covers essential and emergency hospital treatments only
Pregnancy and birth	Usually excluded	Often excluded or limited, unless added to a Silver Plus policy	Included, usually with 12-month waiting period	Excluded
Pre-existing conditions	12-month waiting period applies	12-month waiting period applies	12-month waiting period applies	12-month waiting period applies
Psychiatric and rehabilitation care	Restrictions apply	Restrictions apply	Included with standard 2-month waiting period	Restrictions apply
Premium cost	Moderate	Moderate to high	Highest	Lowest
Out-of-pocket costs	Higher	Moderate	Lowest for covered treatments	Highest for non-covered treatments
Ideal for	People on a budget with basic hospital needs	Those looking for mid-level cover	People needing comprehensive care or pregnancy services	Those needing minimal cover for emergencies only

This is a general guide only. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and other relevant policy documents before making a decision.

Who should consider Bronze Hospital cover?

Bronze and Bronze Plus Hospital policies offer a step up from Basic cover, including a wider range of everyday hospital services while keeping costs relatively low. They’re a good fit for Australians who want peace of mind without paying for treatments they’re unlikely to use.

Young singles or couples in good health

Ideal for younger people who mainly want protection for common procedures like tonsil removal or sports injuries. It also helps avoid tax penalties like the Medicare Levy Surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading while keeping premiums low.

Budget-conscious families

Families on a tight budget who don’t need pregnancy cover can still get access to a wide range of services under Bronze. It’s a cost-effective way to cover children for things like grommet procedures or appendix removal without committing to a higher-tier policy.

People upgrading from Basic to get more protection

If you’ve outgrown Basic cover, Bronze is a logical next step. It includes more categories like gastrointestinal endoscopy and joint reconstructions, and Bronze Plus lets you add selected treatments – all while avoiding the price jump to Silver.

Older Australians not needing top-tier services

Bronze may suit retirees or older Australians who want cover for cancer treatment, diabetes management and other common health needs, but don’t require services like spinal surgery or hip replacements often included in Silver or Gold tiers.

Here’s how to find the best Bronze health insurance policy:

1

Compare across funds – not all Bronze cover is built the same

Bronze policies must cover at least 18 clinical categories, but Bronze Plus options can include extra treatments like back, neck and spine. Compare what each policy includes, as well as which hospitals and specialists your insurer has agreements with as this can greatly affect your access and costs.

2

Match the cover to your real-life needs

Think about what you're likely to need, not just what sounds serious. If you’re prone to sports injuries, have a family history of bowel issues, or want some mental health support, look for a Bronze Plus policy that includes those services.

3

Understand excess and co-payment trade-offs

Many Bronze policies offer flexible excess and co-payment options. A higher excess can lower your premium, but make sure it won’t leave you out of pocket if you suddenly need hospital care. If you're young and healthy, it might be worth the trade-off, but it’s not one-size-fits-all.

4

Look beyond the policy to perks and incentives

Some funds go beyond the basics offering things like no excess for kids, discounts for signing up, or access to virtual health services. If you’re bundling with Extras cover, see if any waiting periods are waived for new members.

5

Use a comparison service to see what’s out there

Don’t just go with a big-name fund. Use comparison platforms like Money.com.au to weigh policies based on what they actually cover – not just their price tag. Make sure your policy includes hospitals you’d actually use and covers the services that matter to you most.

Is Bronze health insurance worth it?

Bronze Hospital cover can be worth it if you're looking for affordable, entry-level protection that goes beyond Basic cover. It includes 18 essential clinical categories, which can provide peace of mind if you want access to private hospitals for common treatments. Plus, it may help you avoid government surcharges like the Medicare Levy Surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading.

For some people, a Bronze Plus policy offers the right mix of affordability and flexibility. It may let you add select treatments from the Silver tier, such as back surgery and medically necessary plastic or reconstructive surgery, without the full cost of a Silver or Gold policy.

That said, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of health insurance before committing. Bronze doesn’t include many complex services and offers restricted cover for areas like mental health and rehab – which could leave you with high out-of-pocket costs if your needs change. Take time to review what’s covered, what’s excluded, and whether the policy fits your current and future health needs.