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Bronze Health Insurance

Save money and reduce your taxes – select who needs bronze health insurance and start comparing today.
Bronze hospital insurance covers 18 different treatment categories in the private hospital system.
You’ll be covered for treatments like treatment for broken bones, colonoscopy, gynaecology, hernia and appendix surgeries and more.
It’s best for young people, couples, and high-income earners
Bronze hospital insurance covers 18 different treatment categories in the private hospital system.
You’ll be covered for treatments like treatment for broken bones, colonoscopy, gynaecology, hernia and appendix surgeries and more.
It’s best for young people, couples, and high-income earners
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Find the Right Cover of Private Health Insurance for Your Needs with Bronze Hospital Cover

Looking at upgrading your health cover or level of hospital cover? Or, perhaps this is your first time taking out health insurance to avoid the lifetime health cover loading.

Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you navigate the world of bronze health insurance and everything you need to know about hospital cover.

If you're in good health and not planning a family, Bronze health insurance can be an ideal choice for you.

If you’re seeking health insurance for tax benefits and don’t think you’ll be needing extensive coverage, we recommend considering the more affordable Basic policy.

However, if you require a higher level of cover, there is also Bronze Plus, Silver, or Gold health insurance plans to cater to your specific needs.

But here’s what you need to know about bronze health insurance and if it’s right for you.

What Does Bronze Private Health Insurance Cover?

Bronze Health Insurance offers a lower level of cover for private hospital services, encompassing 18 categories of essential treatments.

It is designed to provide reliable backup for various conditions such as broken bones, flu, and certain diabetes treatments.

Bronze health insurance covers a range of important medical services, including:

  • Breast, skin, and prostate cancer surgery (including breast reconstruction), as well as chemotherapy and radiation.
  • Treatment for broken bones, joint, and muscle conditions, including joint reconstructions (excluding replacements).
  • Ear, nose, and throat surgeries such as tonsils, adenoids, and grommets procedures.
  • Diabetes management during hospital stays (excluding implanted insulin pumps).
  • Endoscopy, colonoscopy, and other digestive system procedures like gallstone or hemorrhoid removal.
  • Gynaecological services, miscarriage and termination of pregnancy, and sterilisation (male and female), but not pregnancy and birth.
  • Treatments for brain and nervous system conditions, including head injuries, stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease.
  • Hernia and appendix surgeries.
  • Skin-related procedures for lesions, abscesses, and allergy skin-prick testing.
  • Palliative care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric care available in public hospitals.

Does Bronze Health Insurance Give Me Extras Cover Too?

In the world of health funds and insurance, you typically have three types of cover:
  • Hospital cover
  • Extras cover
  • Combined hospital and Extras cover|/extras-cover/
Most people either take out combined hospital and extras cover, or just extras cover. So, if you’ve taken out bronze health insurance, it’s likely you’ll have some kind of extras to cover health care too. However, it’s important to check with your health insurance provider because what you’re covered for will differ from policy to policy, health fund to health fund and so on.

Who Might Want Bronze Health Cover?

Young People

If you're a [young individual|/plans/singles/] who is fit, healthy, and not planning on starting a family, a Bronze hospital policy can provide you with more than adequate coverage at a reasonable price. Bronze-tier policies are designed to meet the needs of young people and include a range of treatments that are relevant to this stage of life. These treatments encompass:
  • Joint reconstructions
  • Bone, joint, and muscle procedures
  • Digestive system treatments
  • Male reproductive system services (like sterilisation)
As an added benefit, if you're between the ages of 18 and 25, insurers may offer a generous discount of up to 10% off your hospital premiums until you turn 40. This makes Bronze health insurance an even more appealing option for young individuals like you.

Women

Bronze hospital insurance covers a variety of treatments that are particularly relevant to women of all ages. Whether you're a young woman or more mature, you can benefit from the following services provided by Bronze health insurance:
  • Breast and ovarian cancer treatment
  • Breast reconstruction
  • Gynaecological services
  • Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy
However, it's important to note that if you are planning to have a child|/plans/pregnancy/ in the private system, you may want to consider a Gold policy. Pregnancy and birth coverage is specifically included in Gold and some Silver Plus policies.

Young Families

Bronze-tier policies are well-suited for young families|/plans/families/, offering coverage for singles, couples, and family policies. As long as you don't have immediate plans for pregnancy, Bronze health insurance provides coverage for common treatments that are relevant to both young parents and young children. These treatments include:
  • Ear, nose, and throat procedures
  • Tonsils, adenoids, and grommets
  • Bone, joint, and muscle treatments
With Bronze health insurance, you can ensure the well-being of your growing family and have peace of mind knowing that their healthcare needs are covered.

High Income Earners

If you earn an annual income exceeding $90,000, you'll be subject to the Medicare Levy Surcharge|/explained/medicare-levy-surcharge/ (MLS). This surcharge is an additional income tax of up to 1.5% and can result in significant costs depending on your income level. While holding any hospital policy exempts you from the MLS, a Bronze policy not only fulfils this requirement but also provides coverage for a range of common hospital treatments. By choosing a Bronze health insurance policy, high-income earners can enjoy the benefits of both mandatory MLS coverage and comprehensive protection for their healthcare needs.

Pros & Cons of Bronze Private Health

Pros Cons
  • Provides coverage for a diverse range of common hospital treatments at an affordable price.
  • Includes benefits for joint reconstructions, diabetes management, and miscarriage and termination of pregnancy.
  • Offers numerous 'Bronze plus' policies that grant access to specific Silver treatments in addition to the standard Bronze coverage.
  • While Bronze cover offers a range of treatments, it is not as comprehensive as Silver or Gold cover.
  • It does not provide coverage for certain important treatments such as pregnancy and birth, joint replacements, or hospital dental surgery.
  • If your primary goal is to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge or Lifetime Health Care loading, opting for a Basic policy instead of Bronze can help you save.

What is Bronze Plus Health Insurance?

If you want to take your health insurance coverage to the next level without taking out Silver or Gold hospital cover, consider Bronze Plus, a comprehensive policy that offers additional benefits beyond Bronze. What's more, Bronze Plus is priced more affordably compared to Silver policies. With Bronze Plus health insurance, you'll enjoy coverage for the 18 categories of services listed above under Bronze, along with at least one of the following treatments that are not covered by Bronze alone:
  • Assisted reproductive services like IVF
  • Pregnancy, birth and gynaecology
  • Joint replacements
  • Cataracts
  • Heart and vascular surgery
  • Lung cancer and other chest surgeries
  • Medically necessary plastic and reconstructive surgeries
  • Bone marrow transplants and other blood-related treatments
  • Investigation and treatment for back, neck, and spine problems such as sciatica and scoliosis
  • Dialysis
  • Dental surgeries, including wisdom teeth extraction and dental implants in hospitals
  • Implantation of hearing devices
  • Accommodation in hospital for podiatric surgery
  • Insulin pumps
  • Sleep studies
  • Pain management with a device (e.g., surgically implanted device for managing pain caused by heart disease)
CHI Pro Tip: Don't assume that Bronze Plus policies come with a higher price tag. In fact, in many states, we've observed that Bronze Plus policies can be more cost-effective compared to some Bronze policies that cover fewer treatments.

How Much Does Bronze Health Insurance Cost?

When it comes to pricing, both Bronze and Bronze Plus health insurance offer a range of options to suit your budget. The monthly premiums for these policies typically range from below $100 to above $150 for a single policy, with a standard $750 excess applied (excluding the health insurance rebate). However, it's important to note that prices may vary depending on the state you reside in and the level of excess you choose.

What exactly is a health insurance excess?

Well, an excess refers to the amount of money you are responsible for paying when you receive hospital treatment. The higher your chosen excess, the lower your monthly premium will be. Opting for a higher excess can be a smart choice if you're in good health and don't anticipate the need for hospitalisation in the near future. On the other hand, if you anticipate the possibility of requiring hospital care sooner rather than later, it may be more suitable to consider a low or no excess option.

The Australian Government Rebate for Private Health Insurance

The Australian Government Rebate|/explained/government-rebate/ for Private Health Insurance is a way the government helps make private health insurance more affordable for people. It's like a discount on the cost of your health insurance premiums. The rebate amount depends on things like your age, income, and the level of cover you have. You can either get the rebate as a reduction in your premium costs or as a tax offset when you do your taxes. The goal of the rebate is to make private health insurance more accessible and to reduce the strain on public healthcare. It's meant to encourage more people to have private health insurance and to help balance the costs between the public and private healthcare systems. The rebate is based on your income, so if you earn more, you'll get a lower rebate. But if you earn less, you might be eligible for a higher rebate. To claim the rebate, you need to have an eligible private health insurance policy. You can either provide the required information to your insurance provider or claim the rebate when you do your taxes.

Bronze Hospital Insurance: FAQs

What are the different tiers of health insurance?

In Australia, health insurance is categorised into four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each tier provides coverage for a progressively broader range of hospital treatments, as determined by the government.

What are 'plus' policies?

'Plus' policies extend the coverage of a specific tier by including additional treatments from higher tiers. For example, a 'Bronze Plus' policy would cover all 18 treatments listed under Bronze, as well as hospital dental surgery, which is typically included in the Silver tier.

Do Bronze policies cover pre-existing conditions?

In Australia, all Bronze hospital policies are required to cover pre-existing conditions once a 12-month waiting period has been fulfilled. This mandatory provision applies to all Australian health insurance policies, regardless of the tier.

What are restricted services?

Restricted services refer to healthcare services or treatments that are limited or restricted in coverage under certain health insurance policies. These services may have specific conditions or limitations for coverage, such as requiring prior authorization or meeting certain criteria.

What are out-of-pocket expenses?

Out-of-pocket costs are the costs that you have to pay for healthcare services or treatments that are not covered by your health insurance. These expenses are paid directly by you and are not reimbursed by your insurance provider. They can include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

What’s an inpatient?

An inpatient refers to a person who has been admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility and is receiving treatment or care that requires staying overnight or for an extended period. Inpatient care typically involves more intensive medical attention and monitoring compared to outpatient care, where patients receive treatment without being admitted to a hospital.

Are hospital psychiatric services covered under bronze health cover?

Yes, hospital psychiatric services are typically covered under Bronze health insurance policies. Bronze-tier policies generally include coverage for a range of common hospital treatments, and this often includes psychiatric services provided in a hospital setting.

What are some exclusions under bronze health insurance?

Elective cosmetic procedures, weight loss surgery, high-cost treatments (e.g., organ transplants), and experimental or investigational treatments aren’t typically covered under bronze hospital cover.