Qantas health insurance review

Overview

Qantas Health is one of the newest arrivals to the Australian health insurance market.

It was initially launched in early 2016 as Qantas Assure before settling on its current name.

Qantas Health Insurance is underwritten by nib and offers a wide range of hospital and extras policies, but aims to reward its members in numerous ways for living a healthier, more active lifestyle.

There's also the opportunity to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Qantas Health 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, appropriate 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, taking out appropriate hospital cover may help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) for the period you have cover.

Qantas Health Insurance offers 5 types of hospital cover, ranging from Basic Hospital for no-frills budget cover and Gold Hospital for comprehensive cover.

You can lower premiums by choosing between $700, $500 or $250 excess.

Basic Hospital

Qantas Health Insurance’s entry-level hospital policy helps you avoid the MLS on a budget price.

It also comes with a large number of inclusions for a Basic level policy.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery (excluding dentist fees)

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy

• Joint reconstructions

• Gynaecology

Bronze Hospital Plus

Qantas’s next tier of hospital cover has a wide range of inclusions for common procedures.

Key inclusions:

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer

• Diabetes management

• Digestive system

• Ear, nose and throat

Silver Hospital

Qantas Health’s mid-range cover offers a comprehensive number of inclusions, but doesn’t include items commonly found in higher tiers, such as pregnancy and cataracts.

Key inclusions:

• Insulin pumps

• Pain management with device

• Implantation of hearing devices

• Heart and vascular system

Silver Plus Hospital

Qantas’s Silver Plus policy is aimed at older Australians and covers a number of common procedures for the over 50s, while also excluding pregnancy and birthing items.

Key inclusions:

• Joint replacements

• Cataracts

• Dialysis for chronic kidney failure

Gold Hospital

Qantas Health’s top tier cover is the most comprehensive option, and includes family planning items.

Key inclusions:

• Weight loss surgery

• Assisted reproductive services

• Pregnancy and birth

Ambulance cover

All Qantas Health hospital and extras policies include emergency ambulance cover.

Residents of Queensland and Tasmania who have ambulance services provided by their state ambulance schemes are not covered.

Extras cover

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, is recognised by the health fund.

Take the 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.

Qantas Health offers 5 extras policies, which can be purchased either separately or with hospital cover.

Basic Extras

Qantas's low cost Basic Extras package gives you 60% back, up to your annual limit.

It only has a limited number of items you can claim back on but the annual limits are competitive.

Key inclusions:

• $600 annual limits per person on both General and Major Dental

• Unlimited Preventative Dental

• $350 annual limit per person on physiotherapy

Family Extras

As the name suggests, this package is aimed squarely at families and parents-to-be, with 60% back (up to annual limits) on most commonly claimed for items like glasses and orthodontics

Key inclusions:

• $600 annual limits per person on both General and Major Dental

• 100% back on antenatal and postnatal up to an annual limit of $200

• $250 annual limits per person on optical devices

Lifestyle Extras

Lifestyle Extras are ideal for people looking for a little extra than the Basic Extras, who don't require family-related services.

You'll get the same 60% back but a wider range of items you can claim on.

Key inclusions:

• $300 combined annual limit per person on chiro and osteo

• $300 annual limit per person on dietary advice

• $150 annual limit per person on eligible personal trainers

Active Extras

Active Extras provides greater limits on the essential services, an ideal option for people who expect to be using dental and physio-related services frequently.

You'll get 65% back on most of the items included.

Key inclusions:

• $1,000 annual limit per person on Major Dental

• $750 combined annual limit per person on physio, chiro and osteo

• $100 annual limit per person on preventative tests such as bowel screening

Top Extras

Qantas Health's top-tier extras policy provides an extensive range of services with up to 75% back on most items, and generous annual limits.

Key inclusions:

• $2,600 lifetime limit per person on orthodontics

• $1,200 annual limit per person on hearing aids and speech processors

• $350 annual limit per person on optical devices

Waiting periods

Waiting periods are there to stop people from signing up, claiming and then cancelling their cover.

It means once you take out a new plan, you may have to wait a certain amount of time before receiving your benefit.

When you switch to Qantas Health from another provider, you won't have to re-serve new waiting periods, unless your new policy covers something you didn't have before.

Hospital Waiting Periods

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions

• 12 months for Obstetrics

• 2 months for Psychiatric care, Rehabilitation or Palliative care (whether or not these are pre-existing conditions)

• 2 months in all other circumstances

Extras Waiting Periods

• 36 months for Hearing Aids

• 12 months for Major Dental

• 12 months for Orthodontic

• 12 months for Health Aids

• 6 months for Optical

• 6 months for Preventative Tests

• 1 day for ambulance

• 2 months for all other services, including General Dental, Physio and Chiro

Member benefits

As Qantas Health is exclusive to Qantas Frequent Flyer members, it offers a broad range of benefits.

Members have access to exclusive offers from partner brands, can earn points with daily tasks and goals completed via the Qantas Wellbeing app and also earn one Qantas Point for every dollar spent on their premium.

Qantas Health also offers an additional Active Kids program benefit, which allows children on your policy to earn 1000 points per sport per year (maximum two sports per child).

How to claim

Hospital

Simply tell the hospital you are a member of a Qantas Health policy.

Your hospital account will be sent directly to Qantas Health for them to assess on your behalf.

If you're billed directly via your provider, you can also claim via your MyGov account or by going into a Medicare office.

It is recommended you call your fund before your admission date to check what benefits you are entitled to and if any out-of-pocket expenses or excess will be payable on the day,

Extras

You can swipe your membership card to claim directly on the spot with your provider's HICAPS or iSOFT terminal.

Members can also claim after the treatment via the self-service portal or via the Qantas Wellbeing App claim.

Hospital agreements

Qantas Health has agreements with a large number of hospital and day surgery providers across Australia.

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

Nib, who underwrite Qantas Health, received 8.1% of all private health insurer complaints in 2020.

They have a market share of 9.2%, which suggests their customer service is around average.

FAQs

1. Is Qantas Health a not-for-profit fund?

No - Qantas Health is under the NIB umbrella, which is a for-profit fund.

2. Who can apply for health insurance? Are there restrictions?

You need to be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to join Qantas Health.

However, when you take out a new policy, you’ll automatically save the $99.50 Frequent Flyer joining fee.

3. Is it easy to switch to Qantas Health?

Qantas Health isn’t on our panel so you’ll need to contact them directly to switch, although NIB are.

We’re confident the Compare Club team can find you a great deal from the insurers on our panel.

4. Do I need to re-serve waiting periods?

You can switch to an equivalent or lower level of cover without re-serving new waiting periods.

You’ll need to serve new waiting periods if you have upgraded to a higher level of cover.

5. Can I change my level of cover?

Yes, you can modify your cover with Qantas Health directly.

6. 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, see this rebate guide.

7. 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.

8. Up to what age are children covered?

Children aged between 21 and up to 25 years can also be covered as student dependents if they are studying full-time.

Any children between 21 and 25 years who no longer studying and not married can remain on a family policy as an adult dependent, although additional fees may be payable.

Student and adult dependents can’t stay on a policy if they’re married or in a defacto relationship.

This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.