Frank Health Insurance Review 2024

Members can choose from eight hospital plans skewed towards the budget end.

Seven extras plans are also available.

Frank offers members plenty of benefits.

There’s a loyalty program, savings on dental and optical, and an app that focuses on physio.

Frank isn’t on our panel but we’re confident we can get you a great deal on your health insurance.

Hospital cover

Nobody chooses to go to hospital.

But when you do, hospital cover will help you get the treatment you need, where and when you want it.

It also helps to pay the bills, as fees for hospital rooms and specialists can add up.

Think about what services you're likely to need, in line with your budget.

If you earn over $90,000 individually or $180,000 as a couple, you could avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Basic Hospital 500 (Basic +)

This is the absolute basics – public hospital cover for people, typically young, healthy singles and couples, who want the bare minimum to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

An annual excess cap of $500 for singles and $1,000 for couples applies. This policy does not include a private room, emergency ambulance, or priority over public patients.

Key inclusions:

• Avoids the Medicare Levy Surcharge

• Restricted benefits for rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services, and palliative care

Entry Hospital (Basic +)

This is an entry level private hospital cover that has some essentials covered.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples applies. This policy does not include a private room, emergency ambulance or priority over public patients.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery

• Joint reconstructions

• Tonsils, adenoids and grommets

Basic Hospital Plus (Basic +)

Includes treatment as a private patient in a public hospital, plus a few common procedures in a private hospital.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Back, neck and spine

• Joint reconstructions

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy

Private Hospital (Bronze)

Affordable cover in a private hospital for a range of common procedures and hospital services. Suitable for singles, couples and families on a budget.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Breast surgery (medically necessary)

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy

• Kidney and bladder

Better Hospital (Bronze+)

Mid-level cover for a wide range of services, without paying for things you may not need, like pregnancy.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)

• Eye (not cataracts)

• Podiatric surgery

Silver Hospital (Silver)

Mid-level cover that offers extra services such as heart and vascular, and implantation of approved hearing devices.

Suitable for those who want a good level of cover. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples or families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Back, neck and spine

• Heart and vascular system

• Implantation of hearing devices

Max Hospital 750 (Silver+)

A higher level of cover with a few exclusions such as pregnancy.

If you’re planning on starting a family, the Top Hospital policy may be more suitable.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Cataracts

• Sleep studies

• Heart and vascular system

Top Hospital (Silver+)

Frank’s top level of cover, ideal for people starting or growing their family.

An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birth

• Assisted reproductive services

• Heart and vascular system

Ambulance cover

Emergency ambulance is covered with no waiting period, excluding Basic Hospital 500 (Basic+), Basic Hospital Plus (Basic+) and Starter Bundle (Basic) policies.

You can’t claim emergency ambulance cover if your state government provides free ambulances, or if you hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

Extras cover

Frank’s extras reset on January 1 every year.

From dental, to optical, to chiro and more, extras insurance helps cover the bills for routine treatments with rebates of up to 100%.

While we've summarised the key points of each plan below, it's always worth digging a little deeper into any gap fees, how much you can claim back, and whether your preferred healthcare provider, such as your local dentist, has an agreement with the health fund.

Take time to work out what you need and what you're prepared to pay.

If this feels a bit overwhelming, you can speak to one of our experts who can talk you through what is and isn't included in each extras policy.

With Frank Extras, you have the freedom to see your favourite dentist, optometrist and other providers.

Choose from seven simple plans.

Basic Extras

Basic Extras covers the basics like general dental, chiropractic and physio services. You can save 15 to 40% off dental treatments if they are performed by any smile.com.au approved dentists Australia-wide.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative and general dental 

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine 

Easy Extras

Covers general dental, optical and physiotherapy. Get a set amount back on each service and claim up to 100% back on optical.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative and general dental 

• Optical

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine

Simple Extras

Extras cover that includes emergency ambulance, general dental, optical and acupuncture services. You can claim up to 100% back on optical as well as save 15 to 40% off by going to an approved smile.com.au dentist Australia wide.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative and general dental 

• Optical 

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine 

Some Extras (50% back), Some Extras (80% back)

Includes all the basics, plus major dental and orthodontics, which is worth considering if your kids need braces. Has a 50% back and an 80% back option. The key inclusions below describe the 50% back annual limits.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative dental 

• Optical 

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine 

Everyday Extras

This policy takes it up a level by adding everyday extras like dietetics, psychology, pharmacy and travel vaccinations.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative and general dental 

• Optical 

• Health maintenance, including flue checks, stress management courses and more 

More Extras

Includes all the services in the Everyday policy, plus speech therapy, eye therapy, occupational therapy and podiatry.

Key inclusions:

• Major dental

• Optical

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine 

Lots Extras (50% back), Lots Extras (80% back)

These policies are structured with your choice of 50% or 80% back. It includes antenatal and postnatal classes for new parents. The key inclusions below describe the 50% back annual limits.

Key inclusions:

• Psychology

• Optical 

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine  

Combined cover packages

A combined hospital and extras policy gives you the best of both worlds. Frank offers three combined policies.

Freedom Starter Flexi-Bundle (Basic)

This policy includes the basics, which is accidents and ambulance cover as well as a $500 shared limit to use across 7 included extras. 

Key inclusions:

• Emergency ambulance

• Accidents

• Dietetics 

• General & Preventative Dental

• Chiro, osteo and physio

Freedom Saver Flexi-Bundle (Basic+)

This policy includes common procedures in a private hospital, with a $700 shared limit to use across 11 included extras. There’s also an additional 100% back on optical up to your $150 annual limit.

Key inclusions:

• Emergency ambulance

• Dental surgery

• Joint reconstructions

• General & Preventative Dental

• Chiro, osteo and physio

• Optical

Essentials Bundle (Silver)

This policy includes common procedures in a private hospital, along with 60% back on a wide range of extras.

Key hospital inclusions:

• Dental surgery

• Heart and vascular system

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy

• Hernia and appendix

• General and major dental

• Orthodontic

• Chiro, osteo, and physio

• Optical

Waiting periods

To stop people signing up, claiming, then cancelling their health insurance, all insurers apply waiting periods.

Generally, the more expensive the treatment, the longer you'll wait.

But keep an eye out for special deals with waiting periods reduced or waived.

Basic Hospital 500 (Basic+), Basic Hospital Plus (Basic+), Entry Hospital (Basic +)

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy services

• 2 months for other hospital treatments, rehabilitation, psychiatric, and palliative care

• 0 days for hospital treatment as a result of an accident

Private Hospital (Bronze), Better Hospital (Bronze+), Silver Hospital (Silver), Max Hospital (Silver+)

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions

• 2 months for other hospital treatments, rehabilitation, psychiatric, and palliative care

• 0 days for hospital treatment as a result of an accident or emergency ambulance transport

Top Hospital (Silver+)

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy services

• 2 months for other hospital treatments, rehabilitation, psychiatric, and palliative care

• 0 days for hospital treatment as a result of an accident or emergency ambulance transport

Extra waiting periods

• 12 months for major dental, orthodontics, orthotics, podiatric surgery, hearing aids and blood glucose monitors

• 6 months for optical 

• 2 months for acupuncture, chiropractor, dietetics, exercise physiology, general and preventative dental, hydrotherapy, myotherapy, osteopath, pharmacy, physiotherapy, general podiatry, psychology, remedial massage and speech Therapy

• 0 days for hospital treatment as a result of an accident or emergency ambulance transport

Member benefits

Frank Hospital Rewards is a loyalty program to keep out-of-pocket costs from a hospital stay to a minimum. They also offer dental savings with smile.com.au, plus optical discounts through a range of retailers.

Extras members can access Kieser Konnect, an app that offers telehealth services, plus face-to-face physio treatments and exercises.

How to claim

Claim on the spot through the HICAPS payment system at your provider or claim online. You can also claim via email.

Hospital agreements

Frank has agreements with more than 480 private hospitals and day clinics across Australia, through the Australian Health Service Alliance.

When comparing policies, it's worth checking if your local hospitals and clinics are covered. Our specialists at Compare Club can do this for you.

Customer service

Parent company GMHBA received 3.3% of all complaints vs a 2.1% market share. This indicates that customer service may be below average.

However, it's worth noting these figures relate to parent company GMHBA so may not be directly applicable to Frank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frank a not-for-profit fund?

Yes, Frank is a non-for-profit health fund.

Who can apply? Are there restrictions?

Any person over the age of 18 can apply for a Frank Health Insurance Policy.

Members must comply with the requirements of the fund and give full and complete disclosure on all matters required by Frank.

Is it easy to switch to Frank?

Frank isn’t on our panel so it’s best to contact them directly to switch. However, we’re confident the Compare Club team can find you a great deal from the insurers on our panel.

Do I need to re-serve waiting periods?

If you switch to an equivalent or lower level of cover, you generally won’t have to serve new waiting periods. However, you may need to serve new waiting periods if your new policy includes additional services or higher benefits.

Can I change my level of cover?

Yes, you can modify your cover with Frank directly. If you move to a higher level of cover, you will usually need to serve waiting periods on the extra services/higher benefits.

Do I get the government rebate?

For every dollar of private health insurance premiums, the Australian Government provides eligible Australians with a rebate of up to 33.4% (depending on your age and income). To learn what you’re entitled to, read our rebate guide.

Do I have to pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading?

If you’re 31 or over, you usually need to pay 2% loading for each year you’ve gone without hospital cover since the 1st July following your 31st birthday. You can find out more here.

Up to what age are children covered?

Children and young adults are automatically covered under family or single parent cover until they turn 21. If they are a student dependant, they can continue to be covered until the age of 25.