At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Our Better Living Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Better Living Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
Member Insider: Why it’s worth reviewing your private health insurance
Do you ‘set and forget’ your health insurance? That might not be the best approach. You could end up overinsured or underinsured—both of which can be costly mistakes.
Taking a few moments to review your insurance each year ensures your cover is still right for you. You might even discover ways to save money.
Hospital and Extras
Private hospital insurance is available in four tiers: private hospital insurance: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic. Each tier covers specific in-hospital treatments and surgeries, with a required minimum standard of clinical categories. Put simply, Gold offers the most comprehensive coverage, while Basic offers the least.
Some policies are labelled ‘Plus’, meaning they include additional clinical categories beyond the standard. Not all policies are equal, so it’s worth checking what’s covered. At CBHS, our Basic, Bronze, and Silver policies all include Plus services, while Gold is our top-tier cover.
Extras cover can be taken out separately, and you can mix and match any Hospital cover with any Extras to make it a combined cover. Reviewing your Extras cover can help you get the most out of your benefits as well.
“At the end of the day, you can mix and match your cover to suit your needs.” says CBHS Corporate Partnership Manager, Amanda Ritchie.
Do you have the right cover?
Answering the questions outlined below can help you decide if your current policy still meets your needs. Since life circumstances change, it’s a good idea to review your cover regularly. Use your answers to see if your current cover is still appropriate or give us a call on 1300 654 123 and we can talk you through the most suitable options.
1. What matters most to you?
Knowing what’s important to you can guide your decision:
- Peace of mind: If you want the most comprehensive cover, consider Gold tier Hospital cover with Top Extras.
- Tax savings: If you’re looking to avoid certain tax implications, a Basic tier Hospital cover might work for you. If you’d like some Extras like dental, optical, and physio, you could consider our KickStart (Basic Plus) package.
- Family planning: Thinking of starting a family? Make sure your cover includes pregnancy and birth-related services before trying to conceive. Pregnancy-related services have a 12-month waiting period, so upgrading too late could leave you without coverage for the birth.
2. Have your circumstances changed?
Life changes—so should your health cover! Consider:
- Have you finished growing your family?
- Did you recently get married or move in with a partner?
- Did you downgrade your cover in the past? Is it still right for you now?
3. Excess or co-payment?
Like other types of insurance, private health cover lets you choose an excess to lower your premiums. This means you’ll pay a set amount if you need hospital treatment.
At CBHS, we also offer policies with a daily co-payment instead of an excess. A co-payment is a daily amount that you contribute for each day/night you're admitted to hospital. This might be capped depending on the product.
4. What about Extras - are you using them?
If you have Extras cover but aren’t using it—why not? Prevention is better than cure, and Extras benefits are designed to support your overall health.
✔ Regular check-ups can help catch issues before they worsen (dental, optical, physio, etc).
✔ Health management programs support weight loss, exercise, stress management, and quitting smoking.
✔ Massages and chiro sessions can relieve pain from desk work or physical strain.
Pro Tip: Choose a Choice Network provider for dental and optical to maximise your benefits. You may even get a fully covered dental check-up or a new pair of glasses with no out-of-pocket costs (subject to cover level and limits).
5. Age and future health considerations
As we age, our health needs change. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and heart disease can become more common. The last thing you want is to need surgery—like cataract removal or a knee replacement—only to find out you’re not covered.
For example:
- Joint replacements are only covered under Advanced Silver Plus or Complete Gold Hospital.
- Cataract surgery may not be covered under a lower-tier policy.
Thinking ahead can help ensure you’re covered for both the expected and the unexpected.
It’s your choice
When thinking about your specific needs, Amanda Ritchie suggests having an honest conversation with us about what's important to you at this time.
Take a few moments to review your cover, or call our Member Services team on 1300 654 123 (Monday to Friday 8am-7pm AET).
Take a moment to review your cover and call us on 1300 654 123 if you need help doing that. And thanks to Amanda Ritchie for some great tips on how to review your health cover - and how to save a few dollars along the way!
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.
Sources:
https://www.cbhs.com.au/mind-and-body/blog/what-to-consider-when-choosing-your-excess-or-co-payment
https://www.cbhs.com.au/member-health/healthy-living