Insure? Not Sure?

Topics in this Section

Introduction

Contents

General Information

Surcharges and Incentives

About Private Health Insurance

Types of Cover

Questions You Should Ask

Common Terms

Insurer Contact Details

General Information

What private health insurance covers

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If you have private health insurance, you are covered against some or all of the costs of being a private patient in either a public or private hospital. Alternatively, you are free to choose to be treated as a public patient in a public hospital, at no charge.

There are many private health insurance policies to choose from. These policies will cover either some or all of the cost of your hospital care and allow you to choose your own doctor or specialist.

With private health insurance, you may insure against some or all of the costs of health services not covered by Medicare, such as:

• hospital expenses (theatre fees or accommodation) in either a public or private hospital;
• some or all of the medical costs Medicare does not cover;
• dental treatment;
• ambulance;
• chiropractic treatment;
• home nursing;
• podiatry;
• physiotherapy, occupational, speech and eye therapy;
• glasses and contact lenses;
• prostheses; and
• other general treatment services (previously known as ancillary or extras).

You can purchase insurance for general treatment benefits on its own or together with hospital insurance. Ask any private health insurer for details of their policies.

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Your options as a privately insured patient

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Private Health Insurance Administration Council

Suite 16, Level 1, 71 Leichhardt Street, KINGSTON ACT 2604
Telephone 02 6215 7900 | Facsimile 02 6215 7977 | Email phiac@phiac.gov.au

Last modified: 22 July, 2005