New to health insurance If you’ve never had health insurance, here’s everything you need to know to choose a policy – without the jargon.

In your 20s From cost to cover types, we help you decide what health insurance is right for you.

In your 30s Understand your options, compare costs and choose health insurance that fits you.

Starting a family Everything you need to know about health insurance for childbirth and cover for your children.

For seniors Decide whether you need health cover in the second half of your life, and choose a policy that fits your needs.

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Calculate Rebate Discount & Loading Check if your health insurance premium decreases or increases by calculating your Government Rebate, Age-based Discount and Lifetime Health Cover Loading.

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Guides Explore our 13 Guides to find everything you need to know about the Australian Health System and private health insurance.

Australian Health System (25 articles) Health Insurance Prices (20 articles) Private Health Insurance (34 articles) Private Health Insurers (15 articles) Medicare (28 articles) Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) (6 articles) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (8 articles) Public Hospitals (6 articles) Private Hospitals (7 articles) Medicare Levy (7 articles) Private Health Insurance Rebate (7 articles) Age-based Discount (5 articles) Lifetime Health Cover Loading (11 articles)

Cover Understand the different types of cover – Hospital Cover, Extras Cover, Ambulance Cover and the Excluded Treatments.

Hospital Cover (9 articles) Extras Cover (6 articles) Ambulance Cover (5 articles) Excluded Treatments

Insurers Find out everything you need to know about all registered health insurers in Australia and the brands that sell health insurance.

AAMI Health Insurance

AIA Health Insurance

Allianz Care Australia

APIA Health Insurance

Astute Simplicity Health

Australian Unity

Bupa Health Insurance

CBHS International Health

Doctors’ Health

Emergency Services Health

Health Partners

Hunter Health Insurance

ING Health Insurance

Latrobe Health Services

Mildura Health Fund

Nurses & Midwives Health

Phoenix Health Fund

Priceline Health Insurance

Qantas Insurance

Queensland Country Health Fund

Real Health Insurance

Reserve Bank Health Society (RBHS)

Seniors Health Insurance

St Lukes Health

Suncorp Health Insurance

Teachers Health

Territory Health Fund

Transport Health

Westfund

News Stay up-to-date with the latest health insurance news and developments.

More people paying Medicare Levy Surcharge, new ATO data shows

The number of Australians paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time continues to rise. New data from the Australian Tax Office shows the number of people who paid the Surcharge jumped from 768,537 in 2022-23, to 885,087 in 2023-24 – a 15% increase. The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to people who earn above the ATO income threshold and do not have Hospital Cover covering all members of their household. The...

Four-tier system driving up the cost of Gold cover, actuary says

Health insurance regulations mean top-level cover has increasingly become unaffordable for many Australians. That’s the finding in an Actuaries Digital article, which suggests that the 4 tiers – Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold – should be restructured. The number of Australians with Gold tier policies has dropped from 95% in 2005 to just 30% in 2026, due to younger claimers being concentrated on expensive Gold policies. This means many people do not have access to services such as private maternity...

Mind the Gap – private health out-of-pocket costs hit new highs

Australians with health cover are paying larger out-of-pocket costs for private treatment than ever, new data shows. The average Gap for private hospital treatment has climbed to $511.02 – an increase of 8.4% from the previous quarter, according to the latest statistics from government regulator APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority). Average Gaps for Extras Cover have increased to $65.02 – a 3.4% rise. Orthopaedic procedures remain the most expensive when it comes...

Family health cover just got more expensive – here’s how to save money

The cost of raising children continues to rise, with policies for families among the hardest hit in the latest health insurance premium increases. Analysis by health insurance comparison site healthslips.com.au found increases to Family and Single Parent policies have risen higher than policies that don’t include children. The government announced health insurance premiums would rise...

Senior Australians face health insurance double whammy

Senior Australians are facing a double whammy of health insurance cost rises, putting extra pressure on wallets during the cost-of-living crisis. Changes to the Private Health Insurance Rebate, coupled with high premium increases to policies that meet health needs of people over 65, mean senior Australians will be hit doubly hard by new health insurance changes. Currently the Private Health Insurance Rebate reduces premiums for people on low incomes by up to 24.288%,...

Bill shock as massive premium increases hit

Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 4.41% on 1 April, but some Australians are already experiencing bill shock after finding their policies will increase by as much as 10.74%. In the past few weeks policyholders have been notified by health insurers about their premium rises on 1 April 2026 and in some cases, the increases are significantly higher than 4.41%. Analysis by health...

Gaps for hospital treatment up 7.7%, new data shows

Out-of-pocket fees for Australians with health insurance have risen, new data shows. Statistics from health insurance industry regulator APRA reveal average Gaps for hospital treatment rose by 7.7% in 2025, from an average of $437.61 to $471.29. Gaps for Extras Cover claims were up 5.6% from an average $59.53 to $62.87. Despite the increased Gaps and the cost-of-living crisis, Australians are holding onto their health insurance policies. There was no...

Health insurance premiums rise to 9-year high

The government has approved a 4.41% average health insurance premium rise for 2026 – the highest increase in 9 years. Every year, health insurers must apply to the Minister for Health and Ageing to raise premiums. Last year’s average increase was 3.73%, while the 2017 average was 4.84%. Policyholders will be advised of their premium change over the coming weeks, with new premiums effective from 1 April. The Private Health Insurance Rebate will also be reduced...

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You Overview

New to health insurance If you’ve never had health insurance, here’s everything you need to know to choose a policy – without the jargon.

In your 20s From cost to cover types, we help you decide what health insurance is right for you.

In your 30s Understand your options, compare costs and choose health insurance that fits you.

Starting a family Everything you need to know about health insurance for childbirth and cover for your children.

For seniors Decide whether you need health cover in the second half of your life, and choose a policy that fits your needs.

Explore Overview

Guides Overview

Australian Health System (25 articles) Health Insurance Prices (20 articles) Private Health Insurance (34 articles) Private Health Insurers (15 articles) Medicare (28 articles) Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) (6 articles) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (8 articles) Public Hospitals (6 articles) Private Hospitals (7 articles) Medicare Levy (7 articles) Private Health Insurance Rebate (7 articles) Age-based Discount (5 articles) Lifetime Health Cover Loading (11 articles)

Hospital Cover (9 articles) Extras Cover (6 articles) Ambulance Cover (5 articles) Excluded Treatments

Insurers Overview

AAMI Health Insurance

AIA Health Insurance

Allianz Care Australia

APIA Health Insurance

Astute Simplicity Health

Australian Unity

Bupa Health Insurance

CBHS International Health

Doctors’ Health

Emergency Services Health

Health Partners

Hunter Health Insurance

ING Health Insurance

Latrobe Health Services

Mildura Health Fund

Nurses & Midwives Health

Phoenix Health Fund

Priceline Health Insurance

Qantas Insurance

Queensland Country Health Fund

Real Health Insurance

Reserve Bank Health Society (RBHS)

Seniors Health Insurance

St Lukes Health

Suncorp Health Insurance

Teachers Health

Territory Health Fund

Transport Health

Westfund

More people paying Medicare Levy Surcharge, new ATO data shows Four-tier system driving up the cost of Gold cover, actuary says Mind the Gap – private health out-of-pocket costs hit new highs Family health cover just got more expensive – here’s how to save money Senior Australians face health insurance double whammy Bill shock as massive premium increases hit Gaps for hospital treatment up 7.7%, new data shows Health insurance premiums rise to 9-year high

Compare Overview

Calculate Cheapest Policy Search for a new policy based on your health cover needs and budget. We compare every insurer and every policy.

calculate new policy

Compare Existing Policy Compare your existing policy with similar policies to meet your current health cover needs and budget. Compare every insurer and every policy.

compare existing policy

Calculate Rebate Discount & Loading Check if your health insurance premium decreases or increases by calculating your Government Rebate, Age-based Discount and Lifetime Health Cover Loading.

About Us Overview

Our Brand Promises

Our Contributors Overview

Stephen Treacey

Sophie Bartho

Vladimir Kundrat

Trudie McConnochie

Peter Kawecki

Loren Jaffe

Loren Jaffe Customer Engagement Australia

How We Make Money

Your Contact Information

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Home Explore Guides Medicare

Guide

What is the Individual Reference Number (IRN) on my Medicare Card?

Reviewed and updated 3 April 2024

The Individual Reference Number (IRN) on your Medicare Card is the number before your name.

It ensures the correct service is billed to the correct person listed on your card.

You can find it here:

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