Home Loans
Personal Loans
Car Loans
Business Loans
Credit Cards
Banking
Health Insurance
Home Loans
Personal Loans
Car Loans
Business Loans
Credit Cards
Banking
Health Insurance
Our experts can help you get a better deal on seniors health insurance.
Compare health insurance policies suitable for senior Australians
Sit back & save money (we'll even do the paperwork)
Our dedicated Health Insurance experts are here to help. Updated 17 Mar 2026.
10 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
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. You need to maintain cover until 27 May 2026 to receive the 10 weeks free. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
10 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Join Australian Unity through Money.com.au on eligible products and get 10 weeks free (6 weeks free in year 1, plus 4 weeks free in year 2). New members only. Offer ends 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
8 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, 2-month waiting periods waived on Extras. HCF will apply four weeks free after 90 days and another 4 weeks after 12 months. Offer is for eligible members who join HCF via any channel between 17 Feb 2026 and 20 Apr 2026. T&Cs apply*.
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Offer available through Money.com.au when you join on an eligible Hospital and Extras policy. In most cases, the 6 weeks free is applied 28 days after you join. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer is only available to a person who purchases an eligible product and opts to pay by direct debit for fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, or six-monthly. Offer ends 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2-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 9 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Join ahm through Money.com.au on an eligible combined policy and get 6 weeks free after maintaining continuous cover for 60 days. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
4 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
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 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 4 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
Seniors health insurance is designed to meet the needs of Australian singles and couples aged 65 and over. It helps you claim back some of the costs associated with medical treatments, medications and healthcare services, depending on your policy.
Although insurance providers don’t offer products exclusively for seniors, they do provide coverage that’s often better suited to mature-age individuals. For example, a higher level of cover may be more appropriate for older adults who require specific care or procedures related to ageing (think joint replacements or cataract surgery).
Seniors health insurance can help fill payment gaps, reduce waiting times and give you more choice in healthcare providers. However, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget before choosing a product.
Private health insurance for seniors can include Hospital cover, Extras cover or both. You can also choose between singles or couples health insurance, depending on your situation. Here’s what’s generally covered:
This helps cover the costs of being treated as a private patient in either a public or private hospital. This can include a range of expenses, such as surgery, medical fees, hospital accommodation, transport, and even meals during your stay. With Hospital cover, you have access to private healthcare options, which may help reduce wait times and provide you with greater flexibility in choosing your healthcare providers.
Hospital cover for seniors is typically available in four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each tier offers different levels of coverage, with Basic providing the minimum level of care and Gold offering the most comprehensive protection. As you move up the tiers, you'll generally receive broader coverage for a wider range of medical treatments and services, but this will likely increase your costs.
While the specific details may vary between insurers, the basic structure of these tiers is generally the same across providers. For example, a Basic policy with one insurer should closely resemble a Basic policy from another, making it easier to compare options.
Extras cover helps cover the cost of services outside of hospital treatments, focusing on health and wellness needs that Medicare doesn’t fully cover. This can include services like dental care, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, podiatry and hearing aids. Extras cover can help you manage these out-of-pocket expenses, making it easier to access important services for maintaining your health as you age.
Extras policies are also available in the same tiers as Hospital cover, each offering varying levels of coverage. A Basic policy may cover the bare essentials like dental check-ups and physiotherapy, while higher tiers like Silver or Gold could provide more extensive coverage, such as major dental (i.e. crowns, dentures), higher claim limits for optical, and coverage for psychology and podiatry.
The tiers are similar across providers and you’ll normally have the option to add a suitable level of Extras cover to your Hospital cover, or take it out as a standalone product. It’s worth considering which services are relevant to your health needs, how often you’ll use them and how much you’re willing to pay for premiums.
Here are some ways for seniors to get the best value health insurance for their needs:
As your health, lifestyle and financial situation changes, you’ll want to keep on top of whether you’re getting the maximum value out of your plan now but also into the future. This means doing an annual review of your health cover and thinking about what procedures or treatments may be required down the line.
For example, if you need a joint replacement, you may discover that your current policy doesn’t cover it, particularly if you’re on a Basic or Bronze level of Hospital cover. Keep in mind that if you upgrade your cover to include treatments you weren’t previously covered for, you’ll likely need to serve waiting periods.
First, decide whether you need Hospital cover, Extras cover, or a combined policy. Then, compare your options by looking at what’s covered under each plan. A lower level of cover will cost less in premiums, but it also means fewer services and treatments are covered.
To make the best choice, focus on what’s most important to you, including the annual limits on claims for Extras cover (e.g. up to $750 a year on major dental for things like dentures, crowns and implants).
Your excess is the amount you have to pay for overnight hospital admissions or day procedures. Most insurers let you choose your excess, with options typically ranging from $0, $250, $500 or $750 for singles, and $1,000 or $1,500 for couples and family cover.
If you’re about to have surgery, a lower excess means you’ll pay less upfront at the hospital, but your premiums will be higher. A higher excess lowers your premiums, but you’ll pay more out-of-pocket when making a claim.
Both Hospital and Extras cover have waiting periods for certain services and treatments. You must complete the waiting period before making a claim. This means if you’re upgrading your policy to cover a specific surgery, you’ll need to ensure it’s scheduled after you’ve finished serving the waiting period (i.e. two to 12 months).
When switching health funds, if you’ve already served your waiting periods or are partway through them, you won’t need to start over, as long as you choose the same or a lower level of cover. Some health funds also waive waiting periods for Extras to attract new members, often waiving two or six-month waits.
New health insurance members can often enjoy sign-up offers, such as four to eight weeks of free premiums and waived waiting periods on Extras cover. Some providers also offer rewards like frequent flyer points or discounts on their other products like car or travel insurance. Just be sure to check your eligibility via the terms and conditions.
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
“Recent data from the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA) shows that more than 76% of seniors aged 60 and over have at least Silver Hospital cover, suggesting that older Australians prefer more comprehensive coverage as they get older.”
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
Seniors health insurance in Australia typically costs between $80 and $430 per month, according to Money.com.au’s analysis. What you pay will depend on the type of policy and level of coverage, among several other factors.
For example, a Basic Hospital-only policy might cost under $100 a month, while a Gold level policy with both Hospital and Extras cover may exceed $400 per month.
A recent Money.com.au survey found that the cost of private health insurance is the biggest barrier to entry, with 82% of Baby Boomers citing its expense as the reason they don’t have coverage.
This cost comparison is based on a 65 year old single in NSW with an income of $101,000 or less. Please note, the Hospital cover is based on a $750 excess.
Provider | nib |
|---|---|
Hospital cover (per month) |
|
Extras cover (per month) |
|
Provider | Bupa |
Hospital cover (per month) |
|
Extras cover (per month) |
|
Provider | HBF |
Hospital cover (per month) |
|
Extras cover (per month) |
|
Provider | Medibank |
Hospital cover (per month) |
|
Extras cover (per month) |
|
Provider | HCF |
Hospital cover (per month) |
|
Extras cover (per month) |
|
| Provider | Hospital cover (per month) | Extras cover (per month) |
|---|---|---|
nib |
|
|
Bupa |
|
|
HBF |
|
|
Medibank |
|
|
HCF |
|
|
The actual cost of health insurance for seniors depends on the type of coverage you select - Hospital only, Extras only, or both Hospital and Extras. It’s also influenced by the coverage level (Basic, Bronze, Silver, or Gold).
Other factors that affect the price include who the cover is for, your age, the state you live in, your income (since rebates are based on income levels), and your excess amount.
Yes, the government health insurance rebate helps reduce premium costs for seniors based on age and income. Individuals or couples with lower incomes qualify for higher rebates, as shown in the table below. These rebates and income levels apply for the 2025-26 financial year.
Age | 65-69 |
|---|---|
Base tier (single income under $101,000, couple income under $202,000 |
|
Tier one (single income $101,001-$118,000, couple income $202,001-$236,000) |
|
Tier two (single income $118,001-$158,000, couple income $236,001-$316,000) |
|
Tier three (single income over $158,001, couple income over $316,001) | 0% |
Age | 70+ |
Base tier (single income under $101,000, couple income under $202,000 |
|
Tier one (single income $101,001-$118,000, couple income $202,001-$236,000) |
|
Tier two (single income $118,001-$158,000, couple income $236,001-$316,000) |
|
Tier three (single income over $158,001, couple income over $316,001) | 0% |
| Age | Base tier (single income under $101,000, couple income under $202,000 | Tier one (single income $101,001-$118,000, couple income $202,001-$236,000) | Tier two (single income $118,001-$158,000, couple income $236,001-$316,000) | Tier three (single income over $158,001, couple income over $316,001) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
65-69 |
|
|
| 0% |
70+ |
|
|
| 0% |
There are both pros and cons to private health insurance for seniors in Australia. Some key benefits include being treated as a private patient, reduced waiting times, more choice in healthcare providers and assistance with out-of-pocket medical expenses. Our latest research highlights the top reasons seniors choose private Hospital cover:
For Extras cover, the most common reasons were:
While there are many benefits to private health cover, the cost can be too high for some seniors, particularly those who are on the pension or who don’t see its value. A recent survey by National Seniors Australia, an advocacy organisation for older Australians, found that 45% of full pensioners had no private health insurance, and 72% of respondents who didn’t have it had recently let their coverage lapse.
The main reasons for cancelling their health cover were unaffordability (63%), lack of value (40%), belief that the public system adequately covered costs (23%), and insufficient coverage for specialist costs (9%).
The average benefit paid to seniors by health insurance companies ranges from $726.02 to $1,717.33 for Hospital cover and from $98.65 to $164.86 for Extras. As shown in the graph below, benefits for Hospital cover tend to increase starting in the 65-69 age group. For Extras cover, it’s mostly the opposite.
Seniors aged 65 or older who have held continuous private health insurance since before turning 31 are not subject to the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading. For others, once you’ve paid the LHC loading for 10 years of continuous cover, it will no longer apply. It's a good idea to check with your insurer to confirm your specific situation.
The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to all Australians, including seniors, who earn above certain income thresholds and do not have private Hospital cover. If your annual income exceeds $97,000 as a single person or $194,000 as a couple (for the 2024-25 financial year), you will be required to pay the MLS.
The surcharge is designed to encourage higher-income earners to take out private health insurance, reducing the burden on the public healthcare system. It's important to note that the MLS only applies if you don’t have an appropriate level of private Hospital cover. The surcharge rate varies from 1% to 1.5% of your taxable income, depending on your income.
Here are the private health insurance tiers you’ll need to cover certain medical treatments or services. Keep in mind that each tier has annual limits and sub-limits, meaning you might be covered for certain treatments, but only up to a capped amount. Generally, the higher the tier, the higher the coverage limit. *Some tiers may have restricted cover or specific terms and conditions. This is a general guide only.
| Treatment or service | Private health insurance tier you’ll need |
|---|---|
Back, neck and spine | Silver*, Gold |
Cataracts | Silver*, Gold |
Diabetes management (excl. insulin pumps) | Bronze, Silver, Gold |
Dialysis for chronic kidney failure | Gold |
Emergency ambulance services | Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold |
General dental | Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold |
Hearing aids | Silver*, Gold |
Heart and vascular system | Silver*, Gold |
Home nursing | Silver*, Gold |
Hospital psychiatric services | Silver*, Gold |
Implantation of hearing devices | Silver*, Gold |
Joint replacements | Silver*, Gold |
Lung and chest | Bronze*, Silver, Gold |
Major dental | Bronze*, Silver, Gold |
Optical | Basic*, Bronze, Silver, Gold |
Palliative care | Bronze*, Silver, Gold |
Podiatry | Bronze, Silver, Gold |
Yes, seniors are typically required to disclose any pre-existing conditions when switching or taking out health insurance. Insurers in Australia usually ask for details about your medical history, including pre-existing conditions, to assess risk and determine coverage.
Some insurers may impose waiting periods (usually 12 months) for treatments related to pre-existing conditions, meaning you may need to wait before being covered for those issues. It’s important to be honest when providing this information, as failing to disclose pre-existing conditions could impact your coverage or result in claims being denied.
In 2023-24, 50% of patients had to wait at least 46 days for admission from elective surgery waiting lists, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The longest waiting times were seen in New South Wales, with patients waiting an average of 65 days, followed by the ACT at 50 days, Tasmania at 48 days, and Western Australia and South Australia at 47 days. Queensland had an average wait of 40 days, while Victoria had the shortest wait at 33 days.
Specialties like otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) had particularly long wait times, with an average of 111 days. For patients requiring otolaryngology or orthopaedic surgeries (e.g. ACL or knee replacements), 16.6% had to wait over 365 days. Other specific waiting times included a median of 265 days for total knee replacement, 135 days for total hip replacement, and between 133 and 197 days for a colonoscopy.
The cheapest health insurance for seniors varies depending on factors such as location, age, income and the type of coverage you need. Some health funds known for offering sign-up deals and incentives include Australian Seniors, Australian Unity, Bupa, HIF, Medibank and nib, among others. It’s a good idea to compare your options based on your specific circumstances to find a range of tailored quotes.
Most health funds don’t offer specific seniors discounts, but you may be eligible for government rebates on your premiums based on your age and income. Shopping around and comparing policies can also help you find good value as health funds are constantly promoting new sign-up deals with discounts on premiums.
While Medicare covers many healthcare costs, private health insurance can provide access to shorter wait times, choice of doctor, and cover for services like dental, optical and physio. It’s especially useful for seniors managing serious health conditions or requiring elective surgery or tailored support.
Popular Extras for seniors include dental (especially major dental), optical, hearing aids, physiotherapy, podiatry and remedial massage. These services support healthy ageing and can help manage chronic conditions and mobility.
A recent Money.com.au survey found that 59% of Baby Boomers chose Extras cover primarily for dental check-ups and cleans, while 28% wanted cover for optical products like glasses and contact lenses. 9% selected it for therapies such as physio, chiro, occupational therapy and podiatry, 3% for health aids, and 1% for massage or natural therapies.
No, there are no maximum age limits for taking out private health insurance in Australia. Seniors can apply at any age, though waiting periods still apply for new or upgraded policies.
No, private health insurance doesn’t cover residential aged care costs or nursing homes. Aged care is means-tested and subsidised by the government separately. However, insurance can help with medical treatments and rehab services outside of aged care facilities.
Yes, one of the key benefits of private Hospital cover is that it allows you to choose your treating doctor or specialist. This can be particularly valuable for seniors requiring consistent care or elective surgery.
Yes. Waiting periods apply regardless of age. Typically, it’s 12 months for pre-existing conditions and obstetrics, and 2–6 months for general services under Extras. If switching policies, you usually won’t re-serve waiting periods for equivalent cover.
Yes, seniors can switch health insurance providers at any time. When switching, ensure that the new policy covers your healthcare needs and check if waiting periods apply for certain services.
When switching to a policy with the same or lower level of cover, waiting periods are typically waived. However, if upgrading to a higher level of cover, waiting periods may apply to the new services or higher benefits.
Seniors can lower premiums by choosing policies that exclude unnecessary services, increasing excess amounts or taking advantage of available rebates and discounts. Regularly reviewing and comparing policies across both not-for-profit and for-profit funds ensures coverage aligns with your current health needs and budget.
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.
Select the offer you're interested in to view full T&Cs.
The information on this page is general in nature and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information provided and the nature of any product is suitable for you and seek independent advice if necessary.
We do not compare all health insurance providers and products available in Australia and we do not guarantee that our product comparisons include all product features and attributes relevant to you.
In providing general information on this page, we are not providing you with a recommendation or suggestion about a particular product. You should read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents before deciding whether to apply for or continue to use a particular product.
However, when a customer requests that we contact them regarding health insurance, after being on the Money.com.au website, we will take the information they provide into account when providing the customer with a range of health insurance product options.
We have partnered with The ItsMy Group (ABN 85 167 289 965) to form our panel of health insurance providers. If a Money.com.au insurance advisor helps you find a more suitable product and you join that health insurer, IMG receive a payment from that fund, which they pass on to us. This is normally a one-off fee but it can also be paid in increments over time.
There is no charge to consumers to use the service, and any payment we receive does not change the price you pay for the product. Our health insurance advisors do not know how much we are paid by the fund they recommend.
Both Money.com.au and The ItsMy Group are members of the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (“PHIIA”) and are have signed up to the PHIIA Code of Conduct.
Our customers have access to offers from a range of health insurance partners:
Please note, we do not compare all health funds in the market, or all policies from our partner funds, and at times certain funds or products might be unavailable.
At Money.com.au, we aim to provide you with the highest level of service, but we also understand that occasionally you may not be 100% happy with us. If that’s the case, you can let us know by emailing us at support@money.com.au
If we can’t resolve your issue immediately, a senior manager will respond to you at the latest by the next business day from receipt of your enquiry. If we are still unable to resolve the matter within three days, it will be escalated to the attention of the CEO.
You could also contact your health fund or the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman’s office (PHIO):
Our Australian-based call centre is open weekdays between 9am and 5pm (AEST) with our team of experts ready to help!
You can reach us on 1300 001 359 or (02) 8528 1995.
