or call 1300 795 560 to speak with a specialist
Medibank Health Insurance Review
AHM
AIA Health Insurance
Australian Unity Health
HCF
HIF
NIBAre you thinking about buying a Medibank Health Insurance policy for your healthcare needs and wondering if this insurer is the right choice for you? Or is it time to review your current health insurance to ensure your requirements are met?
With more than 40 years’ experience, Medibank is a leading private health insurer serving 3.7 million customers across Australia. They’ve even been awarded Canstar’s ‘Outstanding Value Insurance’ 13 years in a row. Currently, they offer members the choice between 9 different Hospital options and 4 Extras plans.
Delve into the Medibank Health private Insurance review below to learn more about their policies to see if they offer health coverage suited to your requirements.
ComparingExpert does not currently have access to this provider. Visit Medibank.com.au to request a quote and compare their price and benefits to the Australian private health insurance companies we have access to.
Is Medibank a non-profit insurer?
No, presently Medibank operates on a for profit health basis. Originally, Medibank was launched in 1976 by the Australian Government as a non-profit company. In 2009, the business changed to a for-profit entity and continued to operate as such. Medibank was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2014 affirming its shareholder-owned approach.
Health cover options
If you are considering private health insurance, Medibank may have an option that suits your requirements. Medibank members have a choice of 9 Hospital, and 4 Extras cover policies for both hospital and everyday health services.
Medibank offers a Priority program for members who have held a Hospital or Extras policy for ten years or more. These members have access to benefits such as a dedicated service line, support from health professionals when they go to the hospital, and other exclusive offers.
Medibank Hospital Cover
Medibank Hospital Cover options allow you to get in-hospital cover and treatments with flexible options to choose from. These options include ambulance services and accident cover. Hospital Cover is split into Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold categories so that its easier for you to select which option best suits your needs.
Basic Accident and Ambulance
This policy is designed to ensure you’re taken care of in the event of an unforeseen accident. However, you won’t be able to add any Extras to this policy type.
- Cost: from $71.95 monthly.
- Benefits: accidents cover; ambulance services; rural and regional transport and accommodation.
Basic Plus Healthy Start
With the young and health in mind, this policy offers peace of mind with basic coverage.
- Cost: from $76.40 monthly
- Benefits: All benefits from Basic Accident and Ambulance are included, joint reconstruction; hernia and appendix services.
Bronze Everyday
Medibank offers cost-effective hospital cover for a wide range of procedures with this option.
- Cost: from $80.90 monthly
- Benefits: Includes all benefits from Basic Plus Healthy Start and cover for bone, joint and muscle treatments; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer; diabetes management; and more.
Medibank Bronze Plus Progress
This plan ensures you’re covered for a wide range of treatments and procedures you may receive in hospital.
- Cost: from $81.00 monthly
- Benefits: You’ll have access to all services available in Bronze Everyday and cover for palliative care; brain and nervous system treatments; medically necessary breast treatments; gynaecology; and more.
Medibank Bronze Plus Assured
The Medibank Bronze Plus Assured plan offers the most comprehensive cover in the Bronze product category.
- Cost: $93.40 monthly
- Benefits: Full cover for benefits from Bronze Plus Progress and kidney and bladder treatments; miscarriage and termination of pregnancy; pain management; and more.
Medibank Silver Everyday
Expand on your private hospital cover with this plan that provides a wide range of services, including heart and vascular procedures.
- Cost: $112.90 monthly
- Benefits: male reproductive system treatments; skin treatments; tonsils, adenoids and grommets; lung and chest treatments; heart and vascular system treatments; and more
Medibank Silver Plus Assured
With a little more than the Silver Everyday plan on offer, Medibank Silver Plus Assured plan covers additional in-hospital treatments.
- Cost: $113.95 monthly
- Benefits: All benefits from Silver Everyday and additional cover for dental surgery; medically necessary plastic and reconstructive surgery; and more.
Medibank Silver Plus Security
This plan offers comprehensive hospital cover for those who are happy to opt for a policy without pregnancy and birth coverage.
- Cost: $148.75 monthly
- Benefits: You’ll have access to all services available in Silver Plus Assured and brain and nervous system treatments; medically necessary breast surgery; dental surgery; sleep studies; and more.
Medibank Gold Complete
The top-end Gold Complete plan will cover you for a host of in-hospital treatments from pregnancy and birth to psychiatric services.
- Cost: $157.65 monthly
- Benefits: All benefits from Silver Plus Security are included and joint replacements; pregnancy and birth; Hospital psychiatric services; and more.
Source: Medibank website February 2021 (Estimates for Singles Cover, no dependents, in NSW)
Medibank Extras
Private Extras cover ensures that you are afforded support for everyday non-hospital treatments from dental treatment to physiotherapy. Medibank has a range of options available to suit both your needs and pocket.
Healthy Start Extras
Get flexible Extras with this plan which is ideally suited to the young and healthy.
- Cost: from $25.95 monthly
- Benefits: ambulance services; general and major dental; optical; remedial massage; physio; chiro and osteopathy; natural therapies; dietetics; mental health support; and prescription pharmaceuticals.
Essential Extras
This affordable Extras option gives you access to common services for general health and wellbeing.
- Cost: from $39.00 monthly
- Benefits: ambulance services; general dental; optical; remedial massage; physio; chiro and osteopathy; and natural therapies.
Growing Family Extras Only
The needs of the family are met with this Extras-only cover with the added benefit of pregnancy support.
- Cost: from $48.90 monthly
- Benefits: ambulance services; general and major dental; orthodontics; optical; remedial massage; physio; chiro and osteopathy; podiatry; natural therapies; dietetics; mental health support; speech therapy; and more.
Top Extras
Medibank’s highest level of private Extras cover offers benefits for a comprehensive range of healthcare treatments and services.
- Cost: from $53.70 monthly
- Benefits: ambulance services; general and major dental; orthodontics; optical; remedial massage; physio; chiro and osteopathy; podiatry; natural therapies; dietetics; mental health support; speech therapy; occupational therapy’ eye therapy; and more.
Source: Medibank website February 2021 (Estimates for Singles Cover, no dependents, in NSW)
Medibank waiting periods for treatment and services
- Psychology: 0 days
- Private room: 0 days
- Transport and accommodation of rural and regional: 0 days
- Ambulance services: 1 day
- Optical: 6 months
- Major dental: 12 months
- Pre-existing conditions: 12 months
- Birth and pregnancy-related services: 12 months
- Blood glucose monitors: 24 months
- Hearing aids and laser eye surgery: 36 months
- All other services: 2 months. For example, palliative care, rehabilitation, general dental, remedial massage and physiotherapy.
Take note: the 12-month pre-existing condition waiting period does not apply to hospital or hospital substitute treatment for psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation treatment or palliative care.
Medibank Members’ choice
Members who are insured with Medibank are typically able to get a wider range of services and better value when they visit hospitals who have entered an arrangement with this company. Currently, they are part of one of the largest networks of health providers in Australia.
The insurer has an agreement with several providers including dentists to physiotherapists, Members’ Choice hospitals and GapCover specialists. Generally, you’ll be able to find a detailed list of providers on the Medibank website.
Frequently asked questions and answers
When did Medibank private start?
Medibank was launched in 1976 by the Australian Government. The health insurer has been in operation serving Australian customers for more than 40 years.Does Medibank private cover ambulance?
Yes, all Medibank private Hospital and Extras policies offer coverage for ambulance services. There are, however, instances when benefits are not payable. For example, when your state or territory covers ambulance services or when you are transported from one public hospital to another.Does Medicare cover ambulance?
Medibank offers Unlimited Emergency Ambulance cover irrespective of the Hospital or Extras plan you’re on. Exceptions occur when your state or territory covers ambulance services. Furthermore, Medibank offers stand-alone Ambulance cover to members living in states and territories that do not provide full ambulance services.How to get a Medibank card?
Medibank has gone digital. The Medibank OSCH App turns your smartphone into a digital membership card with all your cover details. Alternately, activate your membership or register for Online Member Services on the Medibank OSCH website.How to cancel Medibank private membership?
The Medibank team of experts are on hand to discuss your situation and possible resolutions. If, after careful consideration, you’ve made your decision, cancelling your Medibank membership is seamless. Simply call to action your cancellation request.
I would like a quote for 2 senior people 81 and 83 for private hospital cover.
Hi Cath,
We’ll do our best to help you find a private Hospital insurance policy suited to your requirements. Please fill in the quote form above or for personal assistance kindly give us a call on 1300 743 254. Alternatively, if you want a quote from Medibank directly, please contact them on 13 23 31. For guidance on how to compare policies online have a look here.
1. My Membership number is: 21044****
I am trying to find if surgery on varicose veins is covered in my Medibank Gold Top Hospital and Top Extras 70 WA policy. This is very difficult to find on the Medibank site.
2. Whenever I ask a relevant question, such as trying to download your Standard Information Statement (SIS), I get this reply:
gpmlagmcbcnjhkdjiofoenkfbaclgjkk is blocked. Requests to the server have been blocked by an extension.
Try disabling your extensions.
ERR_BLOCKED_BY_CLIENT
Why is Medibank blocking these sites?
Hi Peter.
Yes, that is very strange indeed. I visited privatehealth.gov.au and tracked down the Medibank Gold Information Statement for you. It has been emailed to your provided address.
If you have any questions about your Medibank policy, it’s always best to contact them directly.
I need medical aid that covers me in Australia and my family in Sout Africa until they arrive which will be in 6 months.
Hi Douglas.
Australian private health insurance generally does not cover you outside of Australia. Your family would thus need SA medical aid coverage while still residing in South Africa.
Can you quote monthly health insurance for 2 people?
Pre-existing conditions: One is being monitored yearly for aorta dilation and the other is on blood pressure medication. We would require full hospital cover and ambulance cover also optical, dental, joint replacement, heart issues, and possibly hearing and podiatry also colonoscopies if needed. We are currently with HBF and would like a quote for fortnightly payments.
Hi Margaret, thanks for reaching out.
To provide you with quotes from some of Australia’s major health funds, we need a bit more information. For example, the state you live in will also affect the premium you pay. Please fill in your details here and a specialist will give you a call to help you find a policy suited to your requirements.
Hi. Is breast reconstruction surgery after Mastectomy because of breast cancer covered by Medibank?
If yes, then which type of coverage is it and can I apply for my surgery during the 12 months waiting period so I can do the surgery straightaway without wasting more time?
Thanks
Hi Bisher, thanks for reaching out.
Please note, breast reconstruction surgery is generally paid for through the public health system if you are eligible for Medicare. It’s very important that you first talk to your breast surgeon about this possibility and ask them for a written quote before committing to surgery.
Regarding private health insurance, breast reconstruction surgery generally falls under high-cost medical services and as such will usually be covered by Gold Hospital policies. After starting your policy, you’ll typically have to wait 12 months before you can claim for this benefit. Please also have a read of our Prostheses List guide.
It’s best to contact Medicare directly to receive a full breakdown of the policies covering this surgery and how much out-of-pocket costs you could expect.
Best of luck
Anneke
I am renewing my 410 Visitors Visa for another 10 years and I will need a quote for single coverage Top Hospital Essentials. My date of arrival in Australia will depend on the sale of my home here in Canada.
Can you provide me with a letter that will satisfy the Requirements of the 410 Visa so that I will be able to show the Visa section what coverage I am getting when I arrive in Australia? I had coverage in Australia for 11 years with Medibank and my member number was 2827****.
Hey,
To satisfy Visa requirements, you’ll first have to purchase a policy and have a health insurance company provide you with documented proof. You can generally decide on your starting date, i.e. when you want to start paying premiums and have the cover kick in.
ComparingExpert is a comparative website, not a private health fund. If you’d like to compare policies and then purchase one suited to your requirements, please fill in the quote form above or call 1300 786 328 for immediate assistance.
Good day,
We are moving to Australia in February next year on a working permit for 4 years.
if we get private medical cover when we arrive ( Feb ) will my pregnant wife be covered for the birth of our child? (birth date June)
thank you.
Hi Dylan,
Generally, private health insurers will require a 12 month waiting period from when your policy starts before you can claim any pregnancy or birth-related services.
Do you have insurance coverage for liver disease?
Thanks.
Hi Adam,
Let me start by saying that you’ll generally have to wait up to 12 months before claiming health insurance benefits associated with pre-existing conditions, for example, liver disease.
You might be able to claim medications not covered by Medicare or listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) from your health fund’s Extras Cover. However, medications covered vary from insurer to insurer and usually depends on the type and level of cover you choose.
Please give us a call on 1300 786 328 so a specialist may assist you in finding the right cover for your situation.
Does Medibank cover ENT Surgery, and radiation therapy and what does such cover cost? What about hearing aids?
Hello Seiichi.
Most hospital options from Medibank include the removal of tonsils and top Extras generally include hearing aids. However, you’ll need to provide specifics regarding the type of ENT surgery you’re wanting cover for, as it can include a wide range of diseases of the neck, ear, nose and throat.
Radiation oncology services, including radiation therapy, are supported through the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS).
You might want to complete the quote form above, so a specialist can assist you.
I plan to get Invisalign treatment for my teeth. Would that be covered in the Medibank health insurance?
Hi Vishal,
Whether orthodontics is covered in your Medibank policy depends on the type and level of cover you purchase. You’ll usually want Extras cover that offers dental insurance, including orthodontic coverage. For example, Medibank’s Growing Family Extras and Top Extras.
I am the Grandmother of a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old who live in NSW. Their parents are both in the Navy and are covered for Ambulance cover. I would like a quote to cover them for Ambulance cover only, please.
Hello Shirley,
Ambulance Only cover is available from select health insurance providers. As your comment is made on our Medibank page, you can review their Ambulance cover here.
Be sure to inquire whether both emergency and non-emergency ambulance services are provided, and which ambulance transportation types are covered, i.e. land, air and by sea.
If you would like us to help you in comparing ambulance only cover types from other health funds, give us a call on 1300 786 328.
Is treating varicose veins covered by Medibank Private “Top Hospital Essentials $500 excess with Top Extras 55”? The treatment may include sclerotherapy and surgery.
Hi Bandana,
Yes, Medibank’s Top Hospital Essentials with Top Extras do cover surgery of arteries and removal of varicose veins. However, there is a 12 months waiting period if you had varicose veins that require surgery before taking out the policy, this is considered a pre-existing medical condition.