Hacks

Health insurers are always keen to attract new members, especially when the annual 1 April price increases are announced. You might have seen ads promoting waiting periods being waived, a certain amount of membership weeks for free, or even gift products like retailer gift cards. But are these health insurance promotions and deals worth it, and what’s the catch? What deals and promotions can health insurers offer? Health insurance in Australia is regulated by the government, which...

When you’re claiming private hospital treatment on Hospital Cover, you probably assume all your costs will be covered – so it can be a bit of a shock to learn you might have to pay a Gap (out-of-pocket costs). Fortunately, health insurance Gap cover schemes – offered by many insurers – can help you reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Here’s how they work. Why do Gaps exist?  Gaps happen when doctors charge more than the Medicare Benefits Schedule Fee (MBS) set...

It’s a question we’re asked often at healthslips.com.au: what’s the cheapest health insurer in Australia? There is no definitive answer because everyone’s health and insurance needs are different. But if you’re trying to save money on health insurance, here are some tips to help you find the most affordable insurer for your unique needs.  1. Focus on policies, not insurers When you’re looking for the cheapest health insurance, instead of focusing on insurer brand, focus on...

If you’re looking for a new Hospital Cover policy or upgrading your current policy, you’ll need to decide what private health insurance tier you need. There are 4 tiers of Hospital Cover: Here are the 3 steps to choose your Hospital Cover tier.  1. Decide on your healthcare needs Make a list of the hospital services, (known as clinical categories), you might need in the near future – especially if you want the option of being treated privately for those procedures. Take into...

There are literally thousands of health insurance policies available in Australia (68,538 open policies as at 7 April 2026, to be exact). So if you think your health cover isn’t quite hitting the mark, you have tonnes of alternatives. Staying with a policy that isn’t right for you means you’re throwing money down the drain, and potentially leaving yourself without sufficient cover when you need to claim for health treatments. So, how do you know if you’ve got the...

Of the 48 insurers selling health insurance in Australia right now, 22 of them are not-for-profit, which means they aren’t focused on making and returning a profit to shareholders. So, does that mean policies from these insurers are cheaper? Here, we explore whether you’ll save money on health insurance by buying a policy from a...

Unlike Hospital Cover, Extras Cover is the form of health insurance that won’t help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, so it might not be a big priority for some people. But if you want to save money on health maintenance costs, such as dental treatments and physiotherapy, Extras Cover can be a good investment....

Whatever amount you’re spending on health insurance, you naturally want to make sure you’re getting good value for your money. If you’re looking at the amount of money you’re claiming and wondering whether you’re getting enough back, here’s what you need to know.  Like any form of insurance, health insurance is there to help you financially...