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Health Insurance for Singles

Select the level of health insurance for singles cover you need to compare and get a quote.
Choose from hospital only cover, extras only cover or combined cover
If you’re a couple without kids, getting 2 single health insurance policies is often cheaper than a couple’s policy
Make sure you take otu health insurance before you turn 31 to avoid the Lifetime Health Cover Loading
Choose from hospital only cover, extras only cover or combined cover
If you’re a couple without kids, getting 2 single health insurance policies is often cheaper than a couple’s policy
Make sure you take otu health insurance before you turn 31 to avoid the Lifetime Health Cover Loading
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Looking for Health Insurance for Singles? Here’s Everything You Need to About Singles Health Insurance to Help You Make the Right Choice.

The last thing most singles want to do is worry about choosing a new health insurance policy. Chances are you’re out enjoying life, soaking up adventures, beginning a new career, or perhaps even saving for a first car or home deposit. Well, while your mind and body could be feeling great now, you never know what’s around the corner and having hospital insurance, emergency ambulance cover or even extras cover will provide you with the peace of mind that you’re covered – just in case. But if you’re still unsure if insurance cover is for you, don’t worry, we get it. We’ve put together the following information to help you feel confident when the time comes to make a decision about your cover options for health insurance for singles. If you think you’ve got a pretty good handle on the basics, you can always get started with an online quote right now. In a few short minutes our comparison tool will show you a range of options from our health funds. Simply mix and match what you need from hospital and extras, and leave out what you don’t. Let us help you find the right singles cover.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SINGLES COVER OPTIONS

  • 1. HOSPITAL ONLY COVER

    Hospital only cover is designed to pay benefits toward the cost of your treatment in hospital. There are 4 levels of hospital cover available to Australians You might see different names for these when doing your research, such as ‘platinum’, ‘saver’ or ‘budget’. These are just different names for those 3 levels. In short, the higher your level of hospital cover, the more procedures you will be covered for. Hospital cover also means you can avoid long public hospital waiting lists by being treated in private hospitals. That way you have the freedom to decide
    • Who you are treated by: some people might want a surgeon recommended by their doctor, family or friend
    • Where you are treated: access to a private hospital close to home and a more comfortable environment can reduce worry
    • When you are treated: On average, waiting times are usually shorter in the private system so you don’t have to live with discomfort for as long.
    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. EXTRAS ONLY COVER

    Extras cover reduces the cost of treatment for things that Medicare doesn’t cover. You’ve probably seen a bunch of TV ads promoting extras, but here are the specifics. Extras are there for non-GP (General Practitioner) services, such as:   Remember, waiting periods for major dental work is 12 months and for general dental it’s 2 months. Most other extras services listed above will also have a 2 month waiting period before you can access benefits for them. Depending on your current lifestyle, extras cover is the area where you can save the most money while accessing healthcare services that provide awesome benefits. Who doesn’t love a new pair of designer glasses or a relaxing remedial massage or even benefits toward a gym membership? Health funds contribute to your overall costs when using extras services in one of two ways:
    • As a percentage proportion of the fee charged by the provider (e.g. 65% back for a general dental consultation)
    • As a fixed dollar per visit (e.g. $40 per Chiro visit)
    When checking a new extras policy, always look at what the total annual limit is on your cover. This is the maximum amount you will be allowed to claim for certain extras services. Once you go over an annual limit for a particular service or treatment, your fund will no longer contribute to it - meaning you will pay the full cost. If you’re unsure or just want to clarify a specific detail about extras only cover, call a health insurer directly and get an expert to talk you through what you really get.

COMBINED HOSPITALS & EXTRAS COVER

Taking out hospital and extras cover is called combined cover. You can mix and match between different levels of cover for each. So you might only want basic hospital cover but you think you’ll benefit from comprehensive extras. Or it could be you’d like a balance, so you might choose medium for both hospital and extras. It all depends on what you think is important for you and what you think you’ll actually need. There’s no point in being covered for things like pregnancy, knee replacements, or heart replacements if these aren’t relevant to you. While that all sounds like common sense, you’d be surprised how many Aussies are covered for things they’ll never use and don’t even know they’re paying for!

UNDERSTANDING HOW HOSPITAL WAITING PERIODS WORK

Waiting periods are designed to prevent people from claiming immediately after joining a health insurer and then cancelling their policy once they’ve received treatment. This kind of “hit-and-run” behaviour would very quickly drive up health premiums and negatively affect customers across Australia. It’s good to understand pre-existing conditions with hospital cover so you don’t waste time and money taking out a new policy, only to find you won’t be covered for a current condition. A pre-existing condition is classified as any ailment, illness, or condition that you had signs or symptoms of during the 6 months before you took out hospital cover or upgraded to a higher hospital table. If you decide to take out health insurance, your new fund will need time to advise you if your condition is pre-existing. Always check well before you go into hospital to ensure you’re covered. Pre-existing conditions have a 12 month waiting period for health insurers. The Australian Government has published an overview of this which you can download.

WHY DO AUSTRALIANS TAKE OUT PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Private health cover has the potential to give singles more choice, control, and peace of mind with their healthcare. This could be anything from an ambulance trip, to dental or optical benefits, to chiropractic or physiotherapy rehabilitation from an injury, to just having the security there in case you ever need it. Roughly 14.42 million Australians (55 percent of the population) now have private health cover - a new record. On average, health insurance costs people between $1,000 and up to over $5,000 a year, so it’s natural to expect value in return. There are also other factors that drive people to get a health insurance policy, such as coming off their parents’ health fund when they turn 31, avoiding Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHC) before they turn 31, and also assisting with the government rebate when doing your taxes. Or maybe you’re a little bit older or a single parent, so you’re taking out singles health insurance rather than another policy type, or you just want to have peace of mind for any future hospital treatments. Don’t forget that even if you decide not to take out health insurance, all Australians have access to the public health system when they need it and the federal government’s Medicare system.

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Who needs cover?

Single Male Single Female Couple Family Family (Single Parent)

Services
Private Hospital Cover
Medicare
Doctor and Hospital
  • Choose your own doctor
  • Treated as a private patient in either a public or private hospital
  • Greater choice when admitted in hospital
  • You may not have to wait for treatment
  • A doctor will be appointed to you
  • Treated as a public patient in a public hospital
  • You may not be able to choose a hospital for treatment
  • Treatment is free
Hospital and medical expenses
  • Medicare covers up to 75% of the medical costs under the Medicare Benefits Schedule
  • The remaining 25% or more of the medical costs of the MBS fee will be charged to you. Some or all of this will be covered by your insurer.
  • Other costs incurred may include hospital accommodation, theatre fees, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests.
  • Waiting lists apply
  • There is no charge for public patients
  • Medicare will not cover the following treatments: Private hospital costs, medical or hospital costs incurred overseas and medical treatment deemed not clinically necessary including cosmetic surgery.

ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVES TO TAKING OUT PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Like any financial decision, it's important to consider the factors involved, but there are also numerous benefits to private health insurance. While there have been instances of poor behavior by a few insurers, we are committed to providing a positive experience for our customers. We understand that transparency and reliability are crucial, especially during vulnerable times when individuals may be dealing with existing conditions or requiring emergency procedures. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the coverage you deserve without unexpected costs. Having had experiences with previous insurers, we recognize the importance of making an informed decision. Our dedicated team is passionate about delivering the right information and acting with integrity. We believe in providing health cover that prioritizes your well-being. When you choose one of our health funds, you become a valued member, not just a number.

WHAT’S NEXT WHEN DECIDING ON HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SINGLES

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t need private health cover, and you could put more of your dollars towards having a few monthly dinners out or saving for your next holiday. But health cover can come in handy when you least expect it, even if you feel like your health is 100% today. Many singles with health insurance enjoy benefits on things that actually improve their overall well-being. This could be access to psychology sessions, natural therapies, or a personalized diet from a dietitian. The great thing is, it only takes a few minutes to see a range of options based on your needs. Our clever comparison tool will guide you through everything and help you find the right cover and extras products for your needs.

FAQs

1. Do I pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge with Singles Health Insurance? The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an additional tax imposed on high-income earners who do not have private hospital cover. It is designed to encourage individuals to take out private health insurance and reduce the burden on the public healthcare system. The surcharge is calculated based on income and can vary between 1% and 1.5% of taxable income. 2. What services are included in hospital cover? Hospital cover inclusions and exclusions will vary between different health insurance providers, so it's important to review the policy details to understand the specific services covered. 3. Can I use physio services with private health insurance? Yes, physiotherapy services are commonly covered under extras or ancillary cover in private health insurance. Extras cover typically provides benefits for services like physiotherapy, chiropractic, and other allied health services. However, it's important to check the specific details of your policy to confirm the coverage and any associated waiting periods or limits. 4. What are out-of-pocket costs? Out-of-pocket costs or expenses refer to the expenses that are not covered by your health insurance or Medicare. These expenses include any gap fees or charges that exceed the benefit amount provided by your insurance, deductibles, co-payments, or any non-covered services. It's important to review your policy and understand the potential out-of-pocket costs associated with different treatments or services.