Public system vs Private health insurance
Facts you should consider
Whatever your health insurance plans, when it comes to medical treatment, there are basically two options:
- The public system – Medicare; or
- The private system
Millions of Australians use the private system and choose to take out private health insurance because, while Medicare is acknowledged as one of the world’s best public health systems, it still doesn’t cover things such as hospital and accommodation costs at private hospitals, emergency ambulance transportation or emergency on-the-spot ambulance treatment. Nor does it cover health services such as optical, dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic etc.
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Learn more about Medicare |
It's your choice
Making private health insurance plans is about being in control of your situation through having choice and access. It's the only affordable way to choose your own hospital, your own doctor and your own timeframe. Just as extras cover is the only option if you want to pay less for dental, physiotherapy, optical, chiropractic and other health services not covered by Medicare.
Health insurance and the Government
The Federal Government recognises the importance of private health insurance and offers anyone considering it the following:
- 30% off your premium – The Federal Government pays a rebate of 30%, 35% or 40% (depending on the age of the people covered on your policy) of your private health insurance premium, which effectively cuts the cost of your cover by, at the least, almost a third.
- Reduce your tax – Private health insurance can actually help to reduce the tax you have to pay. If you’re single and on more than $50K a year, or a couple or family with a combined annual income of over $100K* and don’t have private hospital cover, you may have to pay the Government’s 1% Medicare Levy Surcharge. This is on top of the normal 1.5% Medicare Levy imposed on all eligible tax payers.
- Avoid the Lifetime Health Cover loading – If you are over 30, the sooner you take out private hospital cover, the smaller the loading you'll pay on your premium under the Federal Government's Lifetime Health Cover Scheme.
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Get an obligation free quote on the cover of your choice |
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Find out more about the Federal Government's Rebate on private health insurance |
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What's the Federal Government's Lifetime Health Cover Scheme? |
* Increases by $1,500 per child after the first child
