Combined hospital and extras cover

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A guide to combined hospital and extras cover

Updated 08 March, 2024
Written by Joshua Malin
Reviewed by Steven Spicer

Why take out combined cover?

Combining hospital insurance with extras cover is one way to get more value from your health insurance policy. You’ll get to enjoy a broader range of inclusions and have the flexibility to combine different levels of cover for hospital and extras (e.g. Gold hospital combined with lower-level extras). This type of cover also allows you to:

  • Find a policy that meets your health needs both in and out of hospital.
  • Claim on out-of-hospital services you’ll actually use (e.g. physio, remedial massage, dental).
  • Enjoy the convenience of only paying a single premium and having one contact point for all your health insurance needs.
  • The hospital insurance component of your cover can help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) if you’re a higher-income earner and maintain an active policy throughout the entire financial year.

Choosing a combined cover policy

If you think a combined cover policy is the right choice for you, the next step is to compare policies to find one that meets both your extras and hospital insurance needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you compare:

  • Level of cover. When it comes to taking out a combined cover policy, the levels of cover available to you will depend on your health fund. Some funds will let you mix and match levels of hospital and extras cover, while others will have a few fixed options.
  • Excess. As with standard hospital cover, you’ll likely need to choose an excess amount when taking out a policy. The excess is an out-of-pocket cost you pay on admission to hospital. A higher excess will usually come with a lower premium and vice versa.
  • Co-payment. Like an excess, a co-payment is paid by the patient as a contribution towards the cost of their hospital admission. This is a fixed daily payment for each day spent in hospital and is usually capped at a maximum amount per admission.
  • Life stage. As you age, your healthcare needs will change. Keep this in mind while you look for a policy. You should also consider factors like your family medical history and any pre-existing conditions.

Expert tips on choosing the right combined cover policy for you

Our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer, has some tips on how to find a combined cover policy that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Steven Spicer
Executive General Manager – Health, Life & Energy

Consider all taxes and loadings that may apply

When deciding whether to take out combined cover, it’s important to consider any additional taxes and loadings that may apply to you if you delay taking out eligible hospital coverage. This might be the case if you’re a high-income earner or over the age of 30.

Standalone cover may suit you better

If you want both hospital and extras cover, you’re not limited to a combined cover policy. You can also take out hospital and extras separately, either from the same health fund or two separate funds.

Get the right level of cover for you

Combined cover is an excellent way to save money on any healthcare expenses you may incur. With so many different options and combinations available, it’s essential that you take the time to ensure you select a suitable level of cover that meets your needs.

How does combined hospital and extras cover work?

With combined hospital and extras cover, you can benefit from both types of insurance under one policy and have peace of mind, knowing your policy includes a range of medical treatments both in and out of hospital (up to your policy limits). These policies are typically pre-packaged by health funds to suit different lifestyles and budgets.

If a health fund doesn’t offer a combined package to meet your needs, you can choose separate standalone hospital cover and extras cover and combine them yourself to create something that suits you better.

Hospital and extras cover

What’s the difference between hospital and extras cover?

Hospital cover

Extras cover

Can I take out separate hospital and extras cover from different funds?

Does extras cover have tiers or levels too?

More information

Do waiting periods apply to combined health insurance policies?

Do I pay LHC on the full premium of a combined health insurance policy?

Which kind of health insurance covers ambulance trips?

Meet our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer

Steven Spicer
Executive General Manager – Health, Life & Energy

As the Executive General Manager of Health, Life and Energy, Steven Spicer is a strong believer in the benefits of private cover and knows just how valuable the peace of mind that comes with cover can be. He is passionate about demystifying the health insurance industry and advocates for the benefits of comparison when it comes to saving money on your premiums.