Why is the Australian government introducing changes to private health insurance?
The new changes aim to make health insurance simpler to understand for all Australians, and make it easier to compare hospital products to find the cover that best suits your needs. Depending on your level of cover you may be affected by these reforms, so we’re going to make the transition smooth and ensure you understand what they mean.
We’ll keep you up to date on the reforms as they come into effect but in the meantime, here’s an overview of what’s changing this year.
Watch the video below to learn more about the health insurance changes.
Discounts for young Australians
We now offer aged-based discounts to 18-29 year-olds taking out eligible hospital cover.
$750 excess
We also now offer hospital products with a $750 excess. Choosing a product with a higher excess can help reduce your health cover premiums.
Changes to some natural therapy services
Following the government changes on 1 April 2019, all private health insurers are no longer permitted to pay benefits towards some natural therapy services.
Standard Definitions and introduction of Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic product categories
We have started using ‘standard clinical definitions’ across our website and whenever you hear from us. The name of your product is also being updated so it can be classified as ‘Basic’, ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ or ‘Gold’ health insurance, to make it easier to compare.
What else is being introduced or changed?
- We’re giving people with Restricted inpatient psychiatric services under their hospital cover the ability to upgrade and access higher benefits without an additional waiting period. The Mental Health Waiver can only be used once in a member’s lifetime across any private health insurer.
- Other changes include travel and accommodation benefits on some hospital covers for people in regional and rural areas who need to travel more than 200km for hospital treatment.
To find out more about the government private health insurance changes, visit the Department of Health website.
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Understanding the changes
You will only need to serve waiting periods for services not previously included under your cover or for any increased benefits or limits.
Not necessarily, a priority membership 'gold card' indicates your priority status as a loyal Medibank member not the category of cover you hold. Visit our Priority Member hub to learn more about how we are rewarding our longest-serving members.
Remedial massage/myotherapy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture and exercise physiology will continue to be included on applicable Medibank extras products.
The following natural therapies have been removed from all Medibank products from 1 April 2019:
• Alexander Technique
• Aromatherapy
• Bowen Therapy
• Feldenkrais
• Western Herbalism
• Homeopathy
• Kinesiology
• Naturopathy
• Reflexology
• Shiatsu
The government has introduced rules to prevent health insurers in Australia from paying benefits towards some natural therapy services under resident products after 1 April 2019. This decision was made as the result of a review by the government into natural therapies, which found no clear evidence of the clinical effectiveness of these services.
Learn more about the private health insurance reforms
Gold, Silver, Bronze or Basic health insurance: What’s right for you?
We’re rolling out all the Government’s health insurance reforms to make it easier to compare and choose health insurance that’s right for you.
What changes to health insurance mean for women’s health
From breast cancer to fertility treatments, here’s what the changes to health insurance mean for women’s health.
Is a $750 excess right for you?
Medibank is rolling out all of the health insurance reforms to make it easier to compare hospital products and choose cover that best suits your needs, including the option to increase your excess to help lower your premium.