Member Insider: Hospital products designed for every lifestage

By now, you’ve probably heard the exciting news: CBHS has introduced FIVE new Hospital products to its suite of health cover options. And we’ve created them with you, our loyal members, in mind.

We’ve listened to your feedback. These new products are the result of extensive research and development, and have been tailored to suit each lifestage, giving you the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade as your lifestage changes¹.

We recognise that individual circumstances can vary and so we’ve designed a new suite of Hospital products that effectively caters to all lifestages, health needs and budget options. We want our members to have the flexibility and choice to move between a great range of CBHS products that will provide them the cover that they need at the time that they need it. 

– Ross Butler, CBHS Head of Product Strategy and Proposition.

Life is full of changes, and your health cover should change with you. Whether you’re starting out, raising a family, or settling into your golden era, CBHS now offers a range of high-quality cover options designed to support your wellbeing - every step of the way. 

Let’s take a look at the four lifestages we had in mind and understand how our covers can fit your lifestyle with flexibility and security. We do our best to keep our members for life and move with you as you move through lifestages!

Young singles and couples

Right now, you probably don’t need coverage for things like joint replacement or cataracts. This is the time to get the essential coverage you’ll need today, with the reassurance of being protected for unexpected life events.

Some of our most common claims among 20 to 35-year-olds are:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Gynaecology
• Joint reconstructions
• Ear, nose and throat

Although we understand each person’s circumstance is unique, the most recommended products for young singles and couples are:

Starter Basic Plus Hospital

A basic level Hospital cover which includes some common treatments and procedures for younger people while also allowing members to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Developed with young singles and couples in mind, and those who don’t plan to expand their family in the near future. The main features of this product are:

• Dental surgery
• Hernia and appendix operations
• Joint reconstructions
• Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
• Ear, nose and throat
• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• $750 excess

KickStart (Basic Plus)

If you’re looking for a cost-effective Hospital and Extras pre-bundled cover, look no further. Our KickStart (Basic Plus) package is tailored for people seeking a handpicked selection of common services like dental and optical.

Value Bronze Plus Hospital

This is a go-to budget-friendly cover that extends to a range of treatments. This cover includes common treatments but also some unexpected health needs like chemotherapy, and lung and chest conditions.

Value Bronze Plus Hospital was researched and designed for young families and singles, who'd like a bit more coverage and peace of mind with multiple excess options to suit different budgets. Here are some of the main features of this product:

• Back, neck and spine (ie. ciatica, prolapsed or herniated disc, spinal disc replacement, and spine curvature disorders such as scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis)
• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy for cancer
• Gynaecology
• Lung and chest (ie. lung cancer, respiratory disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, and treatment of trauma to the chest)
• $500 or $750 excess options available

Young families

We love families – whatever shape or form!
Usually when we think of young  families and  couples, we’re mostly thinking about people aged between 30- to 45-years. Here are some of the most common claims for that group:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Pregnancy and birth
• Gynaecology
• Digestive system (e.g. investigation and treatment of the digestive system for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones and haemorrhoids.)
• Assisted reproductive services

Of course, remember to read into the features of each option and see where you’re at in your life regardless of your age. Here’s some popular product options for young families and couples:

Everyday Silver Plus Hospital

This is a mid-level option designed to provide you coverage for most common procedures, plus the comfort of knowing there's coverage for some bigger-ticket treatments such as heart and vascular, and rehabilitation services. We've also excluded high-cost services such as pregnancy and joint replacement to help keep things more cost-effective.

Members who have this level of coverage are also entitled to our Hospital in the home programs and multiple excess options. The main features of this product are:

• Heart and vascular
• Access to rehabilitation services
• Kidney and bladder (ie. kidney stones, adrenal gland tumour and incontinence)
• Digestive system (e.g. investigation and treatment of the digestive system for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones and haemorrhoids.)
• Male reproductive system (ie. male sterilisation, circumcision and prostate cancer)
• No excess for dependants
• Keep your kids on this cover until they turn 31
• $500 or $750 excess available

Value Bronze Plus Hospital may also be a good budget-friendly product for this lifestage if you’re looking for a step down from Everyday Silver Plus Hospital. You can check out our products page and compare the two products to see what suits you best.

If you’re planning to extend your family soon, our Complete Gold Hospital cover is the one for you.

Complete Gold Hospital cover

Our highest level of Hospital cover, offering more peace of mind and confidence. This comprehensive option offers flexibility with various excesses and a co-payment option. It's ideal for those seeking top-tier protection or looking to add to their family. Main features are:

• Pregnancy and birth
• Weight loss surgery
• Cover for hospital psychiatric services
• Gap Assist
• No excess or co-payment for dependants
• Keep your kids on this cover until they turn 31
• Excess options of $0, $500 or $750 and a co-payment option of $100

This top level of cover is our only Hospital product offering a co-payment option of $100, as well as an excess of $0. If you’re unsure which option suits you better, keep in mind that there are many things to consider when choosing between a co-payment or excess and this article can help you decide if an excess or co-payment might be right for you.

Complete Gold Hospital also offers a medical gap benefit assistance called ‘Gap Assist’, to help you further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses if you need to go to hospital. Gap Assist provides $200 per person per calendar year towards out-of-pocket hospital expenses.

Mature families

Whether you've got an empty nest, or the adult kids are still coming and going  ̶  you may find yourself with more free time and planning your next adventure!

The most common claims for 45- to 60-years-old are:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Gynaecology
• Digestive system (e.g. investigation and treatment of the digestive system for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones and haemorrhoids.)
• Skin (ie. removal of foreign bodies, melanoma, abscesses, medically necessary plastic surgery)
• Bone, joint and muscle (ie. carpal tunnel, fractures, hand surgery, joint fusion, bone spurs, osteomyelitis and bone cancer)

With this in mind, we’ve designed a product for your lifestage:

Advanced Silver Plus Hospital

This is a high-level option for mature adults and established families, specifically designed for members who don't want cover for certain expensive services, like pregnancy and birth, as well as weight loss surgery, while still maintaining a relatively high-level cover.

Of course, couples and singles can still take full advantage of this cover. The main highlight is coverage for common treatments during the later stages of life, like joint replacement and cataracts, giving you peace of mind without the extra costs of pregnancy. What are the main features of this product?

• Comprehensive hospital cover for those who don’t need pregnancy
• Joint replacement surgeries
• Eye and cataract procedures
• Heart and vascular system
• No excess for dependants
• Keep your kids on this cover until they turn 31
• $500 or $750 excess available

You can still take full advantage of our Complete Gold Hospital if weight loss surgery and private hospital psychiatric services are things you would like coverage for.

Retiree

You've worked hard for these golden years, and our mission is to provide you coverage for when it matters most. At this lifestage, you may be looking to include more services in your cover, as often, with ageing comes an increase in health conditions.  

Our most common claims for those aged 60+ are:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Cataracts
• Heart and vascular system
• Skin
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)

You can take advantage of products like our  Complete Gold Hospital for full coverage and peace of mind, or our  Advanced Silver Plus Hospital with coverage for joint replacement and cataracts without the extra cost of pregnancy and birth.

Learn more about our new family of Hospital product options

We’re pleased to have introduced you to our new suite of Hospital products, designed with flexibility in mind, in recognition that life changes. These five new policy options mean we can continue to meet you at every life stage, and you can move between covers¹ as your needs change over time.

Browse the  new product range on our website or chat to one of our friendly staff to find what you’re looking for today.

¹Waiting periods may apply

All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified healthcare professional.