Health insurance in Australia is a type of insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment and care for policyholders.
The Australian government has a universal healthcare system called Medicare, which provides access to a range of medical services for all Australian citizens and permanent residents. Private health insurance is also available to supplement or enhance the services provided by Medicare.
In Australia, there are two main types of private health insurance:
Hospital cover: Provides coverage for costs associated with hospital stays, such as accommodation, medical treatment and surgical procedures.
General treatment (or extras) cover: Provides coverage for non-hospital services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Individuals who have private health insurance may also be eligible for a government rebate on their premiums. Individuals can purchase health insurance through private health insurance companies, and choose from a range of policies with different levels of coverage and cost.