How to Compare Health Insurance Plans

With private health insurance, you have options. You can choose your doctor, avoid public waiting lists, stay in a quiet, private room, and select specific medical procedures. Many outpatient medical services, such as physiotherapy and dental care are covered by ‘extras’ coverage. For the best of all worlds, a comprehensive combined private hospital insurance policy can cover you for everything. Advantages of private health insurance in Australia include:

The best care when it matters – Private health insurance cover gives you the ability to choose your own physician and avoid lengthy queues at public hospitals.

Extras policies coverage – Select the level of extras cover you need. Out-of-hospital medical services include orthodontics, dental check-ups, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and other therapies.

Combined health insurance – Combined private health insurance policies cover both in-hospital treatments and extras healthcare cover for accessing a wide range of health services.

Dental care safety net – Australians know how expensive extensive dental work can be. Fortunately, most health insurance policies cover both major and minor dental procedures.

Physiotherapy cover – Once out of hospital, physio treatment can work wonders for some patients. The cost is offset by private health insurance.

Pre-existing conditions – You won’t have to pay extra for your insurance because of a pre-existing condition. However, there may be a longer wait time for related treatments.

Adaptable private health insurance offers peace of mind. The level of hospital cover you choose can include ambulance services, medical treatments, and out-of-pocket expenses. The top tip when comparing health insurance plans is to speak to the experts. A GoSwitch health insurance plan price comparison search takes only minutes, with plans and pricing in real-time from leading Australian health insurers. But first, let’s look at some more tips to personalise your health insurance policy.

1. Find coverage for services you will use. Hospital insurance tiers include Basic, Silver, and Gold. You also have the extras option or combined hospital/extras cover.
2. Understand waiting periods. If you’re taking out private health insurance for the first time, or are upgrading your policy, there will be a waiting period before you can claim. Typical waiting periods are:
   • Between 2 and 12 months for most hospital and extras products.
   • 12 months for most hospital treatments and related pre-existing conditions.
   • 12 months for inpatient pregnancy and birth-related services.
   • 2 months for palliative care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric care.
3. Look for discounts and rebates. The Australian Government encourages private hospital insurance because it eases the burden on the public healthcare system. Incentives to sign up for private cover include private health insurance rebates and aged-based discounts on premiums.
4. Look at long-term benefits. There are levies imposed on people who don’t have appropriate levels of coverage. Levies include Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading and the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).
5. Reassess your insurance regularly. If you have been in a health fund for a while, it could be worth assessing whether you could pay less upfront or out-of-pocket costs for similar products elsewhere. The easiest and fastest way is by using the GoSwitch health insurance comparison service where you can compare policies, benefits, extras, and costs from leading health insurance providers.

Your lifestyle and healthcare needs will impact the type of cover you choose. Here are some questions to ask yourself.

• Do you have any pre-existing conditions that may require treatment soon? This cover is subject to the 12-month waiting period.
• Are there any hereditary health conditions in your family that could impact your future needs?
• Are you planning on starting a family? Will you want obstetrics cover? This cover is subject to the 12-month waiting period.
• Does your partner or children also need to take out health insurance?
• What kinds of out-of-hospital extras policy services or therapies do you want to include?
• How will your health needs change as you age? Which services will you need access to?

* Remember, you can upgrade your private health plan at any time. Waiting periods apply.

Our team at GoSwitch is here to assist you in your search for the most suitable medical coverage. You can get a quote in a matter of minutes using our online comparison tool, or if you’d rather speak with a human being about your options, you can reach out to our expert-run call center. The GoSwitch search engine does the math for you, and you can switch insurers in a few simple steps:

1. Get started – Create a GoSwitch user profile.
2. Compare energy deals – Use the GoSwitch price comparison search tool.
3. Set up and save – Your GoSwitch insurance expert can help every step of the way.

It’s that easy to change health insurers with GoSwitch, so if you are looking for the right cover for the health and well-being of yourself or your family, make the switch with GoSwitch today!