Private health insurance

Private health insurance allows you to be treated as a private patient in a public or private hospital. This means that you may be able to choose the doctor, hospital and time for your treatment.

What it covers

There are 2 types of private health insurance cover available: hospital cover, and general treatment cover (ancillary or extras cover).

Hospital cover

This pays for some or all of the costs of hospital treatment as a private patient, including doctors’ fees and hospital accommodation.

It applies when you are a private patient in a public or private hospital (or a day hospital facility).

General treatment cover

This pays some or all of the cost of services such as physiotherapy, dental or optical treatment.

Some private health insurers offer packaged products that cover both hospital and general treatment services.

The cost of the cover varies depending on what is covered and amount you can claim back. When choosing your private health insurance it is important to make sure it suits your own health care needs and budget.

Visit PrivateHealth.gov.au to find out more about private health cover and find a policy that’s right for you.