Health Insurance for Families

Select the level of health insurance for families you need to compare and get a quote.
A family health insurance policy means you/your partner & children are covered under one policy
Children can stay on your policy for free until they turn 25 – or even older in some cases
Keep updating your family policy as your family grows/your needs change/or as your children get older
A family health insurance policy means you/your partner & children are covered under one policy
Children can stay on your policy for free until they turn 25 – or even older in some cases
Keep updating your family policy as your family grows/your needs change/or as your children get older

Deciding Whether Health Insurance for Families is Worth it? Here’s What You Need to Know.

When it comes to your family's health, comprehensive family health insurance can offer you the flexibility, choices, and protection you need. Whether you're just starting out as a family or expecting another child, addition, your loved ones' well-being is always a top priority.

Even with basic family insurance coverage, you deserve real value for your money. In Australia, the average cost of a health insurance policy for families ranges from $1000 to $5000 per year, with many families falling towards the higher end of that scale. So, while you want what’s best for your family's health, you also need to consider your budget.

Every family is unique, with different stages and specific needs. That's why we've covered everything you need to know, no matter where you currently stand or what your plans are, as you navigate through health insurance for families quotes.

If you're keen to see what options are available right away, why not try our handy comparison tool before making a decision to purchase family health insurance? It can help you explore and compare the available options quickly and easily.

Compare & Join
In a few short minutes will quickly show you a range of options from health funds to suit your family. Simply mix and match what you need from hospital and / or extras, and then leave out what’s not important.

Your 3 Options for Family Health Insurance

Having private health cover has the potential to provide you with more choices and control when it comes to your family's healthcare needs.

By gaining a clear understanding of the various types of coverage available for family health insurance, you can start to determine what aspects are important to you and how much you are willing to invest.

  • 1.FAMILY HOSPITAL INSURANCE COVER

    Hospital cover is designed to pay benefits toward the cost of your treatment in hospital. There are only 4 levels of hospital cover available to Australians: Gold,Silver, Bronze \ Basic

    These levels are no different whether you’re taking out cover as a single, couple, senior, or family. In short, the higher the level of cover you get as a family, the more procedures and specialists you will both be covered for.

    This might be an important factor for when you give birth, as you’ll likely be thinking about where you want to have your baby and the care you want immediately after (such as staying in a hotel).

    When a procedure is “covered”, that means 100% of the cost (minus any excess) of your hospital visit is paid by your health fund.

  • 2.Family Extras Cover

    When it comes to your kids (also called dependants in the insurance world), extras cover|/extras-cover/ can be a great way to save money while still accessing valuable services that offer real benefits.

    There are great policies available that offer generous benefits specifically tailored to kids' dental and optical needs. Additionally, both you and your partner may require extras services like physiotherapy , chiropractic care

    It's commonly said that extras cover is the type of insurance you're more likely to use, and this holds particularly true for families.

  • 3. COMBINED HOSPITALS & EXTRAS FAMILY COVER

    Taking out hospital and extras cover together is called combined cover, which is the preferred option for family health insurance. You can decide on different levels of cover for each and then mix and match.

Private Health Insurance: Only Get What You Need

It's essential to consider the relevance of the coverage you have for your family's health insurance. There's no sense in paying for services that your family will never need or use. For instance, once you have given birth, you wouldn't want to continue paying for certain pregnancy-related services.

It's wise to stay proactive and regularly review your health insurance to ensure that your coverage is still aligned with your current lifestyle.

Checking in every 3 or 6 months can help you stay on top of any necessary adjustments. Many health funds offer convenient online platforms where you can easily manage your membership and make changes, saving you valuable time and effort.

Starting a Family as a Couple? Consider Your Cover Options ASAP.

When couples are contemplating starting a family, their health becomes a top priority. The assurance and peace of mind that come with having private health cover for such a significant phase of life can be truly valuable.

It's important to note that most health funds have a 12-month waiting period|/explained/waiting-periods/ before you can claim benefits for pregnancy cover. This waiting period is regulated by the federal government and applies to specialised services such as:

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Pregnancy Scans and Blood Tests Pregnancy Scans and Blood Tests
Prenatal and / or Antenatal Classes Prenatal and / or Antenatal Classes
Fertility Treatments (IVF) Fertility Treatments (IVF)
So, if you want to access the private hospital system for your pregnancy and birth, you’ll need to plan well in advance.

Starting A Family: When to Take Out Health Cover

Planning to have a child is an incredibly exciting and life-changing journey. Suddenly, your priorities shift, and your main concern becomes taking care of your health during and after pregnancy.

As soon-to-be parents, there's a lot to learn and process in a short period of time. While you're busy adjusting your entire life to the new addition to your family, ensuring the well-being of your future health becomes a daily focus.

First and foremost, deciding how and where you want to give birth is a personal choice that varies for everyone. You may find yourself thinking about the following things:

  • location of private hospitals, public hospitals, and other services like prenatal classes
  • chatting with your GP and any other medical professionals
  • choosing an obstetrician
  • services you can claim under Medicare
  • advice and support from friends and family
  • information from parenting books and online resources

On top of all that, you’ll also review your current health insurance cover situation.

  • Are you both taking out health cover for the first time?
  • Are you changing from couples cover couples cover to family cover?
  • Or are you both on separate singles policies?
  • While it seems like information overload, most insurers provide information in a clear and helpful way to guide you through your decision making. For new families, it’s common to shop around as you probably have a very firm budget in mind.

You Have an Established Family & Want Affordable Health Cover for the Years Ahead

Whether it was one, two, three or more children, your family is now as big as it’s going to get. This means you might be considering setting up your health insurance for the next 5 or 10 years. Chances are, you’ll want the very best care for your kid’s health needs (while you and your partner take a back seat!). The information below on hospital and extras cover will help you decide what you need and how it might suit your family. If one or more of your children are dealing with a specific condition, always enquire how a new health insurer can accommodate these needs, including what type of excess you might have to pay for particular services and what the annual limits are on extras services.

Your Kids Are Older & Their Health Needs Have Changed

As your kids become teenagers and begin planning for adulthood, you might also be reviewing your current health insurance policy.

For example, are you paying for things you no longer need? Maybe those dental check-ups are few and far between or there are other extras you’d rather be getting benefits for, or perhaps most of your health needs are covered using the Australian Government’s Medicare system.

Are there health concerns that you’d like to check the available cover for? The health of teenagers or young adults can be complex. This could include seeking out professional help for mental health issues or the management of an ongoing physical condition.

It’s possible your relationship status may have changed but you’d still like to have health insurance for your kids. You can check information on single parent health cover

If you’re comfortable with your current level of cover for your family, remember that the Australian government stipulates that once your children turn 31, they’ll have to take out their own private health insurance.

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Hospital and Extras Hospital only Extras only

You Deserve Health Insurance That Works For You Now & In the Future

We understand that not everyone has had a great experience with their health insurer, travel insurance, or car insurance. It could range from receiving poor service to not receiving the promised coverage, or even single parents feeling like their needs are not properly addressed.

We firmly believe that health insurance should be a reliable support system for families in their times of need and should never take advantage of someone's health issues or misfortunes.

Recognizing the significance of health for numerous Australian families, we are dedicated to offering transparent and unbiased information, along with a level of service that stands out in our industry.

Instead of browsing through multiple websites to compare policies from different providers, why not simplify the process by doing it all in one place, taking just around 5 minutes of your time?

Health Insurance for Families: The Next Steps

Family health insurance offers valuable benefits that can support various aspects of your and your children's lives. It provides access to a diverse range of health services, helps save on regular dental check-ups, and offers coverage for ambulance services.

Having family health insurance for the whole family can bring you greater peace of mind, knowing that the right medical assistance will be available when you need it most.

The best part is that finding the right cover for your family health insurance is quick and easy with our user-friendly comparison tool. In just a few minutes, you can explore a variety of policies and gain a clear understanding of each option available to you.

FAQS

1. What is the Lifetime Health Cover loading, and how does it impact my hospital cover?

Lifetime Health Cover loading |/explained/lifetime-health-cover-loading/is a government initiative that encourages people to take out hospital cover earlier in life. If you don't have hospital cover by age 31, you may have to pay an additional loading on top of your premium when you decide to take out hospital cover. This loading is calculated based on your age when you first purchase hospital cover and increases the longer you wait.

2. What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and does it affect my family private health insurance?

The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an additional tax imposed on high-income earners who do not have private hospital cover. If your taxable income exceeds a certain threshold and you don't have eligible private hospital cover, you may be liable to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time. Having an appropriate level of hospital cover can help you avoid this surcharge.

3. Can I upgrade my family health insurance policy to include extras cover for services like dental and podiatry?

Yes, many health insurance providers offer the option to upgrade your policy to include extras cover. Extras cover typically includes services such as general dental, podiatry, and other non-hospital treatments. Upgrading your policy allows you to access additional benefits for these services beyond what is covered under a standard hospital-only policy.

4. Am I eligible for the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance?

The Australian Government Health Insurance Rebate is a financial incentive provided to help make private health insurance more affordable. Eligibility for the rebate depends on factors such as your income, age, and the type of policy you have. The rebate can be claimed as a reduction in your health insurance premiums or as a tax offset when you lodge your annual tax return

5. Does hospital & extra cover include ambulance cover?

Yes, hospital & extras cover typically includes ambulance cover. It is an essential component bundled with comprehensive health insurance plans. However, check your policy for specific details and contact your provider for accurate information.

6.What are out-of-pocket costs?

Out-of-pocket costs are expenses that you are responsible for paying yourself, in addition to what your health insurance covers. These costs include deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance amounts.

Please note that these FAQS are general in nature, and it's recommended to refer to the specific terms and conditions of your health insurance policy or consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice.

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