When comparing health funds, it pays to look through some of the finer details. Here are some key statistics from the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman State of the Health Funds Report 2023 to keep in mind when comparing Bupa and Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia (HCF).
¹ For services provided through Medical Gap Schemes, Bupa covered 91.1% of medical services with no out-of-pocket costs vs 86.7% covered by HCF from 2022 to 2023.
² Bupa's market share was 24.9%, and HCF's was 12.5% as at 30 June 2023.
³ For services provided through Medical Gap Schemes, Bupa covered 90.1% of hospital related charges vs 89.1% covered covered by HCF from 2022 to 2023.
All statistics shown are as outlined in the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman State of the Health Funds Report 2023, which summarises the average coverage of each insurer's policies across Australia.
Compare health insurance
Compare heath insurance
Find cover options
Get great value cover with Bupa
Bupa has you covered with a large provider network and flexible cover options.
Get great value cover with Bupa
Bupa has you covered with a large provider network and flexible cover options.
We've been named Canstar's Outstanding Value Health Insurance four years running!
How to choose the right cover
Here are our top tips for comparing covers.
Each level of hospital cover includes a different number of included services (also known as clinical categories). The higher your cover, the more services are included. Hospital cover is standardised by a set of tiers that can help you compare similar levels of cover across health insurers.
To choose the services you need cover for, make a list of your pre-existing or genetic conditions, lifestyle (e.g. sport and hobbies), and future plans like growing your family. If you’re unsure, researching common health concerns for your age group is a good place to start.
An excess is a one-off payment made when a policy member is admitted to hospital. The excess applies once per person, per calendar year. Depending on the health insurer, you may be able to choose a higher hospital excess in return for a lower premium.
If you consider yourself to be fairly healthy, a higher excess can be a good option to keep your premiums down.
Many health insurers have special agreements in place with select hospitals and specialists to reduce out-of-pocket costs for members. If you have a preference for a particular hospital or specialist, it’s worth researching which health insurers they have agreements with.
The Bupa Medical Gap Scheme helps reduce your medical costs for treatment when you’re admitted to hospital. If your specialist uses our scheme, you’ll never pay more than $500 per doctor. Use the Find a Provider tool to check if your specialists are part of the network.
Look for cover that includes services that match your lifestyle and health needs. For example, do you need a new pair of glasses or contacts every year? Do you play sports that might increase your risk of needing physio? Having a list of services that are important to you can help you shortlist cover options.
Extras services have limits (the total amount you can claim on a service). At Bupa, there are three different types of limits that can apply to an extras service:
An annual limit (sometimes referred to as an ‘annual maximum’ or ‘yearly limit’) is the total amount you can claim on a service in a calendar year. Annual limits generally reset each year on 1 January.
A combined annual limit is a shared annual limit across multiple extras services. Combined annual limits generally reset each year on 1 January.
A lifetime limit is the total amount you can claim on a service in your lifetime.
Generally the higher your extras cover, the higher your limits. When comparing covers, keep an eye out for the limits on services you use regularly. For example, if you visit the physio regularly you’ll want to look for a cover that has high annual limits for physiotherapy.
A benefit is the amount you get back when you claim on a covered service, up to limits. The benefit will be either a set dollar amount, or a percentage back. Generally the higher your extras cover, the higher your benefits.
With Bupa extras cover, you can get 60-100% back on most services when you visit a Members First provider, up to yearly limits^. Use the Find a Provider tool to check if your providers are part of the network.
Always read the Policy Information when choosing hospital or extras cover.
Switching to Bupa is easy
Find the cover that’s right for you
Compare your health insurance options and choose a level of cover that suits you. If you need help, select the chat button or call us on 134 135.
Let us do the paperwork
When you join us, we'll ask you about your previous health cover. We'll contact your old fund and do the paperwork for you. Read more about how we organise your clearance certificate.
You don't need to re-serve waiting periods#
If you’ve already served waiting periods with your previous health fund, you won’t need to serve them again and you can enjoy the benefits right away.
Switching to Bupa is easy
Find the cover that’s right for you
Compare your health insurance options and choose a level of cover that suits you. If you need help, select the chat button or call us on 134 135.
Let us do the paperwork
When you join us, we'll ask you about your previous health cover. We'll contact your old fund and do the paperwork for you. Read more about how we organise your clearance certificate.
You don't need to re-serve waiting periods#
If you’ve already served waiting periods with your previous health fund, you won’t need to serve them again and you can enjoy the benefits right away.
^ For most items at Members First extras providers covering dental, physio, podiatry, and chiro consultations. Yearly limits, waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply. Excludes hospital treatments. Set benefits apply at other recognised providers. Available on selected extras covers.
# When switching to Bupa on an equivalent or lower level of cover within 60 days of cover end date with old health fund, provided you already served your waiting period."
