The smart way to keep your health cover (and avoid overpaying)

With health costs going up and everyday bills stretching your budget, it’s tempting to ditch private health cover altogether. Did you know that cancelling could end up costing you more in the end?

Feeling like your health insurance doesn’t give you what it used to? That might be true - but we have ways to make them give you more.

Find out how your health cover can still save you money and keep you covered in the ways you still need.

Start Your Free Comparison

If you’ve noticed your health cover premiums creeping up while your value feels like it’s going down, you’re not alone. In fact, 2025 saw the biggest private health premium hike in over five years.**

Many Australians are questioning what health insurance delivers.

It’s a fair question - but here’s what many people don’t realise: having no cover at all can leave you paying more, not less.

What happens WITHOUT COVER?

Public hospital wait times

Non-urgent surgery like orthopaedics or hernia repair can mean waiting upwards of 49 days as a public patient - and that’s if you’re not bumped back down the list again.*

You may have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)

If you earn over $101,000 (single) or $202,000 (couple or family), you can be hit with this extra tax. Learn more about the MLS.

Over 31?

Dropping your hospital cover to get it back later, might mean paying out up to 70% more. See how the LHC loading works.

Out-of-pocket costs for non-urgent private hospital treatments and procedures are on you - and whether it’s urgent or not is not decided by you either. So, if you strain your back lifting your three-year-old - and you need ongoing physio? All at your own cost.#

Even your kid’s dental visit can run into big money - especially if they need braces ($6,000-$11,000^) and who wants to choose between that and the family holiday?

…and WITH COVER?

Depending on your level of hospital cover, you’re mostly sorted for the following:

Hospital Tier

What’s covered?

Basic

Limited hospital stays, including psychiatric, rehab. and palliative care.

Bronze

18 types of surgery and treatments, including joint reconstructions.

Silver

26 types of surgery and treatments, including dental and podiatric surgery.

Gold

38 types of surgery and treatments, like hip replacements and pregnancy care.

That physio visit?

It might cost you nothing at all, with the right extras cover.

So, while doing without health insurance might feel like a win in the short term, it can mean bigger bills - and more stress - when you really do need to take care of your health.

The good news? You don’t have to choose:

If it’s been more than a year since you reviewed your health cover, there’s a good chance you’re overpaying or paying for cover you don’t use - like pregnancy care when your family is just the size you want.

Thousands of Australians are customising their cover to avoid paying more than they need, but keeping the cover they use regularly - like optical for those reading glasses, and dental for those orthodontics (plus that physio - because your three-year-old isn’t getting any lighter, is he?).

Our team of health cover experts can:

Help you find a better-value policy#.
Make sure you keep the waiting periods you’ve already served.
Match you with a plan that covers what you and your family actually need.
Do it all for free - including your paperwork.

They’ve helped Aussies save an average of $295^^ a year on their health cover.#

Save money without sacrificing cover. Talk to our experts today.#

This article is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.
^https://gloworthodontics.com.au/how-much-do-braces-cost-in-australia#:~:text=Costs%20for%20traditional%20metal%20braces,6%20months%20to%203%20years.
**https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/its-the-largest-private-health-insurance-hike-in-5-years-heres-how-to-reduce-your-premium/4y0yooa06
*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Elective Surgery, accessed 1st July, 2025.
^^Based on 239,107 sold over the past 10 years.
# HealthMatch’s comparison service is provided by the team of health insurance experts at Compare Club. Compare Club compares selected products from a panel of trusted insurers and does not compare all products in the market

Health Insurance Explained

How to Cut Costs and Get More Value from Your Health Insurance Extras

Between school shoes, swimming lessons and the third birthday party this month, your budget's probably tighter than ever. So why are you still paying for health insurance extras you never use?

Keep your cover (& Save $$$) while growing your family

Planning for a larger family? It’s smart to think ahead about your family’s health cover.

5 Signs You’re Overpaying for Health Cover

Saving on health insurance isn’t about picking the cheapest policy. It’s about making sure you’re actually getting value for your healthcare dollar. Here’s what our health cover experts say to watch for:

Health Match