How can I make health insurance cheaper?  

There are several ways to make your premium for health insurance cheaper: 

• Lower your excess  

The higher your excess (which is the amount you pay for a claim), the lower your premiums. However to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge, your excess cannot be higher than $750 for a policy covering one adult, nor more than $1,500 for a policy covering 2+ adults and/or dependants.  

• Reduce your cover 

Look at the Clinical Categories covered by each tier of Hospital Cover to find a lower tier of Hospital Cover that still meets your needs. You could also consider Plus policies for a lower tier to see if your specific Clinical Categories are included. If you have Extras Cover, look at the treatments covered by your Extras Cover to confirm you are not covered for something that you do not need.  

• Consider corporate plans or restricted policies  

Find out whether insurers offer a discount due to your employer, whether your employer subsidises coverage, or whether you are eligible for cover with a restricted insurer. 

• Investigate different payment options 

Ask your insurer whether you can make health insurance cheaper if you pay for your policy in advance, by direct debit or by salary deduction. 

• Look for a cheaper policy 

You can use the healthslips.com.au Calculator to find a cheaper policy.