Comparing health insurance

1. Use a broker
Using a broker helps take the mystery of Private Health Insurance. Companies like iSelect.com.au compare a great range of policy combinations from their participating funds - check their homepage for health funds that are availalbe for comparison. Plus you’re getting choices and comparisons on what’s available for your stated circumstances.
You can often cut policy costs by removing irrelevant features. Using iSelect costs you nothing because they are paid a fee by the funds.

2) Switch funds if you want something different
There are great deals out there and don't be afraid of switching funds. If you change funds and you have similar level of cover, you will not have to wait before you can claim in most cases. Often people don't switch funds because they falsely believe they'll have to go through a new waiting period. But legislation governing health funds guarantees that if you switch to another fund with the same level of cover, you will get continuity of cover. Don't set and forget your policy, make sure the premium is competitive.

3) Review your extras
Many consumers opt for hospital cover as well as ancillary cover for dentistry, physiotherapy, optical requirements and others. The is a wide variation between funds on what you'll get back so make sure that your cover is competitive. Price of the policy must we weighed up with what you'll get back in real terms. Beware - Policies vary widely on rebates. For example some policies apply limits on a per person basis, or per policy basis, some apply per visit, or have annual limits or combinations of "limitations". This wide variation makes comparing extras almost impossible for the average consumer.

4) Tailor-make your policy
You need to work out what "life stage" you're at. ISelect suggests that there are five broad life stages. “In over seven years of operation we have seen tens of thousands of policy mismatches. If you're single you may not need hip replacement and if you're empty-nesters you won’t require birth cover." Or for families with dependent children in their 20s, look for cover that includes your children up to the age of 25, rather than the standard 21. Once you’ve finished your family remove the obstetrics cover, if your 40 plus then major dental is probably on the cards. Look at your family history and tune your policy accordingly.
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5) Part-pay the hospital bill
By agreeing to pay a higher excess - up to the first $500 of a hospital bill if you're single, $1000 if you're a family - you can cut your premium cost. Or you can pay less by agreeing to a daily "co-payment" - a set amount per night for each night you're in hospital - for example, $50 for five nights. Funds use either or both. Choose a fund that doesn't charge a co-payment on day surgery since it could save you money in the long run.
Search iSelect for a great policy

6) Mix, Match & Review
You don't need to have both hospital and extras cover with the same insurer. Often you can get a better deal on ancillaries with a different provider. With premium increases outstripping rate of inflation it’s vital to review whether you policy is competitive in the market. Make sure that your orthodontics cover is giving you the maximum back. Choosing the right extras cover can make a huge difference in your out of pocket expenses

7) Don't Pay the Taxman
Beware if you’re moving up the income scale or you’ll be paying an extra 1% in tax through the Medicare Levy Surcharge. For example if your single earning $100,000 a year or above, or a family earning $150,000 or more - exposes you to an EXTRA 1 per cent Medicare Levy Surcharge in addition to the 1.5 per cent Medicare Levy you're already paying.