Understanding health insurance

Health insurance can seem complicated, but we’re here to make it simpler. Whether you’re considering private health cover for the first time or looking to make the most out of your current plan, our guides will break it all down and help you to understand how private health insurance works and how it could benefit you.

Never had health insurance before or not sure where to begin? Get started here

What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance helps cover the cost of healthcare services that aren’t covered by Medicare. This includes both hospital treatments and other things, like dental check-ups, glasses and physio appointments. It’s an excellent way to gain peace of mind and take greater control of your health.

Curious about how to choose the right cover or how it affects your taxes? Explore our articles for all the answers you need.

Health Insurance Basics

How does Australia's healthcare system work? What are the benefits of having private health insurance? How to compare health funds and choose the right cover for you?

These guide will help answer all your health insurance questions and break down the various types of cover.

Tax & Rebates

Wondering if you need private health insurance for tax purposes? Are there any government incentives?

We’ve got all the details you need on how private health insurance could help you save at tax time.
 

Hospital & Extras offer - Track every step with an Apple Watch from Medibank

Join and maintain eligible Medibank hospital and extras cover and you could earn 100,000 Live Better points (couples and families) or 50,000 Live Better points (singles and single parents) to redeem on rewards such as an Apple Watch. Plus, we’ll waive 2&6 month waiting periods on extras. Use promo code: LIVEBETTER. Bands are subject to availability. Offer ends 18 December 2024. New members only.‡

Get a quote Find out more
Hospital & Extras offer

Health insurance tips

At different stages of life, you might find yourself considering health insurance. If you're new to it, the process can feel overwhelming. That's why we've created these guides to help answer your questions and make things clearer, so you can feel confident about your health insurance choices.

Are you young and healthy?

Are you young and healthy, unsure if or when you should get health insurance? Discover the ideal age to consider private health cover, what happens when you turn 31, how long you can stay on your parents’ policy, and more.

Are you raising kids or planning to start a family?

Explore the benefits of private health cover, from planning a family to caring for kids. Learn about pregnancy cover, extras for children, and how health insurance can support your family’s needs every step of the way.

 Still confused about health insurance? Discover words and terms you might come across in the world of private health insurance and what they mean.

Want to discuss your options?

Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.

Ready to find health insurance that’s right for you?

Did you find this information useful?

Things you should know 

‡ For new members on new memberships who join and start eligible combined Bronze hospital and extras cover or above from 7 November – 18 December 2024 and who have not held Medibank health cover in previous 60 days (unless they are dependents coming off their parent’s cover)Must quote promo code ‘LIVEBETTER’ when joining.  Excludes Hospital only cover, Extras only cover, Basic covers, Corporate covers, Accident Cover, Ambulance Cover, Overseas Visitors Health Insurance, Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC), Working Visa Health Insurance, ahm covers and other selected covers. Not available with any other offer. Medibank may end this offer or amend these offer terms and conditions at any time without notice. Medibank employees are not eligible for this offer.

2&6 month waits waived on extras terms: 2&6 month waiting periods on extras waived. Other waiting periods apply (including 12 months on some dental services). If you're switching from another fund and you’ve used any of your current limits (at that fund), that will count towards your annual limits with us.  If you've reached your limits at your previous fund you may not be able to claim straight away on extras.

Live Better rewards points terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible product for 28 consecutive days from the policy start date to receive Live Better rewards points. The points will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period. Policyholder will require access to a smartphone and will need to download the My Medibank app. Policyholder will need to have registered a My Medibank account, sign up to Live Better rewards via the My Medibank app and track a Live Better rewards activity within 28 consecutive days from the policy start date. Must be 16 years or over to register for Live Better rewards. Live Better rewards points could take up to 8 weeks from the policy start date to be loaded to the policyholder’s Live Better account. Singles and single parents will receive 50,000 Live Better rewards points, and families and couples will receive 100,000 Live Better rewards points.

Live Better Rewards terms: Must be a Medibank member with eligible hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Medibank Live Better rewards with My Medibank or have linked their MyMedibank account with their Live Better rewards account to redeem rewards. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the redemption of a reward depending on the type of reward chosen. Read full Medibank Live Better rewards terms here: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/rewards/terms/  

Apple terms: Apple Watch SE requires iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18 or later. Bands are subject to availability. Carrier plan required for cellular service. Contact your service provider for more details. Connection may vary based on network availability. International roaming is not supported. Check apple.com/au/watch/cellular for participating carriers and eligibility. See support.apple.com/en-au/HT207578 for additional setup instructions.