Health Conditions

If you’re confused about which natural therapies are covered by health insurance and which aren’t, you’re not alone. The government has changed the rules about health insurance cover for natural therapies twice in the past decade, which means there’s a lot of confusion around what can be claimed on Extras Cover. That can make it...

If you hear the word ‘grommets’ you might think of surf lifesaving, but for many Australian families, the word means surgery. Around one in 15 kids in Australia need surgery for grommets, where a tiny tube is inserted into the eardrum to help reduce middle ear infections and glue ear. Although this procedure (known clinically...

Back pain can be debilitating, and it’s an issue experienced by around 4 million Australians, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Sometimes back pain is treated with surgery, such as spinal fusion or spinal disc replacement, but in many other cases a combination of less intensive treatments are recommended. Here’s...

Just a few decades ago cosmetic surgery was relatively uncommon, but it has had a big increase in Australia in the past 10 years. In fact, according to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, more cosmetic procedures are done per capita in Australia than in the USA. And 2023 research from...

Almost half of Australian adults experience sleep problems regularly, and if you or a family member is one of them, there are treatments available. The good news is that some treatments for sleep apnoea and other sleep issues are covered by health insurance.   Does health insurance cover sleep studies? A sleep study is where you’re observed as...

Has your doctor recommended sinus surgery, or another nasal procedure such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction? All of these ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries are subject to long waiting times in the public hospital system in Australia. If breathing problems, recurring sinus issues and sleeping problems are having a serious impact on your life,...

If you’re living with diabetes, your doctor may have recommended devices such as insulin pumps or glucose monitors to help you manage your health. If you don’t qualify for government funding, some of these devices can be a high ongoing cost. Currently in Australia, insulin pumps are only subsidised for people with type 1 diabetes...

Hearing aids can make a world of difference if you’re experiencing hearing impairment, but unfortunately, they aren’t cheap to buy or get fitted. The Australian government subsidises the cost of hearing aids for certain people, but if you don’t qualify, you may be able to claim some of the cost on private health insurance. So,...