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If you’re looking for Hospital Cover that goes a little further than a Basic policy but your budget doesn’t stretch to Bronze, a Basic Plus health insurance policy could be the right fit for you.
Image credit: Shutterstock
What’s the difference between Basic and Basic Plus Hospital Cover?
Basic is the most affordable level of Hospital Cover, and by law insurers only have to provide cover for 3 out of 38 hospital services (known as clinical categories). These 3 clinical categories are available in Basic at a ‘restricted level’ which could mean out-of-pocket costs for you. By contrast, a Bronze policy must cover at least 21 of the 38 categories. A Basic Plus health insurance policy provides 4 or more clinical categories, but the amount of coverage will depend on each insurer.
Here’s an example of a Basic Plus policy available from one insurer:
4. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 5. Tonsils, adenoids and grommets 6. Joint reconstructions 7. Hernia and appendix 8. Gynaecology 9. Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy 10. Dental surgery
(R) = Restricted means the insurer offers only ‘restricted’ cover for this treatment. You will be only partially covered for the costs of this treatment and may incur out-of-pocket costs you have to pay yourself.
Sometimes people opt for Basic Hospital Cover to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge without looking at whether it gives them suitable health cover. Since Basic cover is so limited, it may be worthwhile upgrading to a Basic Plus or a Bronze policy so you can get cover for your health needs.
How much does Basic Plus Hospital Cover cost?
The cost of Basic Plus health insurance depends on the insurer and how many clinical categories it covers. Using our calculator to find prices for Basic Hospital Cover for one adult in Victoria (with a $750 excess), this is what we discovered…
Basic
Basic Plus
Cheapest per month
Most expensive per month
Cheapest per month
Most expensive per month
$102.10
$124.50
$110.33
$158.45
The cheapest and most expensive Basic and Basic Plus policies found on the healthslips.com.au calculator, as at May 2026. Image credit: Shutterstock
How do I find the cheapest Basic Plus health insurance?
With the healthslips.com.au calculator, you can search every Basic and Basic Plus policy in the market to find the best one for your budget and health needs. You can compare up to 10 different policies at a time, to help you choose the best value policy. We compare every policy in Australia for free without needing to enter any contact details. We’re not selling insurance, so there’s no sales pressure. Try the healthslips.com.au calculator now to find the best Basic Plus policy for your needs.
healthslips.com.au does not provide general or personalised advice. Your particular circumstances are likely to impact the accuracy, completeness and relevance of the information or results. Take this into account before making a decision and talk to an expert for financial advice.
Trudie McConnochie
Writer and Researcher
Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.
Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.
Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.
