Get Affordable Health Insurance for Children

Frequently asked questions and answers

Is it worth getting private health insurance for kids?

You never know when your child might need a paid-surgeon. Ear grommets and hernias tend to be a common procedure amongst babies; the possibility of your little one being placed on a waiting list for surgery is something every parent wants to avoid. Health cover might be especially helpful for premature births, accidents, occupational therapy, physio and dental.

When do children need dental insurance?

If you do not have Medicare or your child requires a bit more dental assistance, you might want to purchase Extras coverage that provides treatment for general and major dental, and perhaps endodontic and orthodontic.

Medicare covers some of the costs for dental examinations, including routine cleaning, repairing cracked teeth, fillings and root canals if your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

However, not all dentists provide services under CBDS, and there are certain services that Medicare generally does not cover, for example, braces and dental or cosmetic work that needs to be done in a hospital, like removing wisdom teeth.

How much does health insurance cost for a child?

Your health insurance premium is determined by the type and level of coverage you choose. For example, if you have a family or a couple's policy, you might not have to pay anything extra when adding your children. However, upgrading from single's cover to a family or single-parent plan will generally increase your premium quite a bit, but again it depends on the type and level of coverage you choose and your health fund.

You might want to gather some quotes and compare which policy will suit your requirements and budget best.

Does private health insurance cover adopted kids, foster and stepchildren?

Generally, yes. Although these kids might not be related by blood; foster kids and stepchildren are usually covered in the same way as biological children. However, to add a foster child, you might be required to provide evidence that states the date when the child has come into your care. It’s always best to check with your respective private health fund on what information they need.

How can a parent remove a child from their health insurance?

Typically, you'll need to contact your insurer to remove someone from your policy, unless they're no longer eligible to remain on your plan in which case they will usually be automatically removed. However, it's always best to confirm with your insurer.

How to add your baby to Medicare

Generally, you’ll receive a Newborn Child Declaration form from your hospital or midwife, which you’ll need to submit before your child’s first birthday. You can submit the form using your Centrelink online account via myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app. Alternatively, you can send the form by post or hand it in at a service centre.

If you do not have a Newborn Child Declaration form, you can instead submit a Medicare enrolment form with all supporting documentation, including your child’s birth certificate.