Health Insurance for Families

Every household’s needs are different, but some types of families typically see more value from private health insurance:

• New parents: May want private maternity services, a private patient room, and cover for their newborn’s health concerns like grommets or hospital stays.
• Families with young kids: Extras cover can help with regular needs like general dental, speech therapy, or physiotherapy.
• Teenagers and students: Families with student dependants often benefit from extended hospital treatment and orthodontics.
• Single parents: A family policy may be more affordable than two single policies and can simplify managing cover options.
• Families with special needs: If a child has specific conditions, such as autism, extras services like therapies and specialist visits are often important.

Timing matters when it comes to family health cover. Getting the right cover early can help avoid waiting periods and secure better long-term benefits:

• Before pregnancy: Hospital cover for childbirth requires a 12-month waiting period, so it’s best to sign up early.
• After childbirth: New members can usually be added within a set window without re-serving waiting periods.
• When kids start school: This often comes with new dental, physio, and extras services needs, making it a good time to reassess your level of cover.
• Before the financial year ends: Some Australians take out cover to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).
• In a blended or growing family: Re-evaluating the family policy can help protect all loved ones, especially when adding stepchildren or dependants.

A well-matched family health insurance policy can offer practical advantages and peace of mind. Some of the key perks include:

• Private hospital access: Skip long waiting lists and choose your doctor and hospital when admitted as a private patient.
• Family extras: Claim benefits for dental, orthodontics, glasses, physio, and more under extras cover.
• Shorter wait times: Get faster access to hospital treatment and reduce delays in care.
• Tax savings: Avoid the Medicare levy surcharge and access the Australian Government Rebate based on your taxable income.
• Cover for emergencies: Many policies include emergency ambulance or ambulance cover to protect you from unexpected bills.

These benefits are significant, but it’s just as important to weigh them against premiums, hospital excess, and exclusions.

Family health insurance is affected by a few key tax incentives and penalties in Australia. These government rules can impact what you pay and how your policy works:

• Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS): Families earning over a certain threshold in taxable income may pay extra tax unless they hold private hospital cover.
• Australian Government Rebate: Eligible families receive a partial refund on health insurance premiums based on income and age.
• Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHC): If you don’t take out private hospital cover by 1 July following your 31st birthday, you’ll pay a 2% loading on your hospital premium for every year you’re aged over 30, up to a maximum of 70%.

Children can usually stay on a family policy until age 21. However, student dependants (full-time students, registered trainees, apprentices, interns, or cadets) and non-student dependants can stay on family policies until age 31 with most major insurers, provided they’re not married or in a de facto relationship. Some insurers, like Bupa, allow dependants up to age 32.

Choosing a health insurance policy is easier when you know what to look out for. Avoid surprises by keeping these key points in mind:

• Coverage limits: Know the maximum you can claim per year for different services, including extras.
• Waiting periods: New members and certain services may have delay periods before you can claim.
• Gap-free benefits: Some health funds offer no-gap dental or optical services for children.
• Exclusions: Watch for what’s not included in your policy, especially in lower-tier hospital policies.
• Annual limits: Extras services often come with caps that reset each year.

GoSwitch helps Australian families compare insurance products easily, matching your family’s needs with the right cover and provider in minutes.

The right policy comes down to your family’s current needs, possible future changes, and how much you want to spend. These questions can help guide your choice:

• Family needs: Think about who’s covered, any special health needs, and if you’re a growing family.
• Budget: Balance the health insurance premium with expected out-of-pocket costs and hospital excess.
• Extras value: Decide which extras services are most useful, like physio, general dental, or orthodontics.
• Claims process: Some insurers have easier online claiming systems or preferred provider networks.

Many top Australian insurers offer family health insurance cover, each with its own strengths. These are some of the most well-known insurers families often consider:

• Bupa: Offers flexible family packages with strong hospital and extras inclusions.
• HCF: Known for high-value extras and no-gap physiotherapy or dental programs.
• NIB: Easy online claiming and discounts for new members.
• AHM by Medibank: Good value for tech-savvy families who prefer digital self-service.
• GMHBA: Community-based health fund with strong extras options.
• AIA: Offers wellness programs tied to health cover.
• Health Care Insurance: Smaller not-for-profit with focused family benefits.
• HIF: Provides transparent hospital policy options and decent extras limits.
• Australian Unity: Popular for blended families due to flexible dependant rules.
• Hunter Health Insurance: A regional health fund focused on member-first service.
• Real Insurance: Budget-friendly plans with basic inclusions.
• RT Health: Offers family cover for transport industry workers and their families.
• Australian Seniors: Specialised options for older family members or carers.
• Frank Health Insurance: Offers straightforward cover options and online management.

GoSwitch lets you compare policies from these providers and more, helping you find the right family health cover without wasting time or overpaying.

It’s smart to review your family policy regularly, especially after big life changes. Switching health funds doesn’t mean losing your benefits, as waiting periods you’ve already served carry over for the same level of cover.

Upgrade your policy when:

• You have a new baby.
• Your child becomes a student dependant.
• You move interstate (e.g. from QLD to NSW).
• Your current cover no longer matches your family’s needs.

To compare health insurance and switch with confidence:

1. Visit GoSwitch and enter your postcode.
2. Answer a few simple questions about your family’s needs.
3. View tailored policy options from trusted Australian insurers.
4. Choose the right cover and switch in just a few clicks.

No pressure. No complicated paperwork. Just clear, helpful options to suit your family.