Private Health Insurance Queensland

A proper private health insurance comparison for QLD will need to compare health insurance rebates and benefits to discover which policy offers you the best value. You might also want to look at a health insurance comparison for Brisbane, versus other towns in Queensland as a metro location can make a difference to whether or not you can easily access the healthcare providers working within your health fund’s network.

What health insurers cover Queensland?

All 38 private health insurers across Australia cover Queensland, though 12 of these funds are restricted by industry. For example, the Teacher’s Health Fund restricts membership to teachers and their family only.

How much does health insurance cost for Queenslanders?

The price of hospital insurance in Queensland varies with the tiers you want, and your specific health fund. Average premium costs across Queensland for a single person taking out hospital cover in 2023* are below:

These figures are based on the monthly premium for single-only hospital policies with an excess of $750 that exempts you from the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS). 

The average cost of extras cover across Queensland is $73.32 across 2023.

This is based on the monthly premium for a single extras-only policy. Extras insurance varies widely in the general treatments covered (e.g. physio or dental) and how much you can claim for each service you use.

There are several additional factors that can impact your health insurance premiums, including whether you have hospital or extras cover. Here are the main factors to consider:

1. Your Private Health Insurance Rebate: The premium you pay for your health cover can vary by more than 25% due to the Government rebate. This rebate is primarily based on your age and income.

2. Lifetime Health Cover Loading: If you don’t have hospital cover after the age of 31, when you eventually join a 2% loading will be added to the price each year that you do not have it (after you turned 31), though this ceases after holding it continuously for a decade.

3. State: The cost of medical care varies by each state and territory, and this is reflected in your premiums.

4. Policy Excess: A policy with a higher hospital excess will have a lower premium, but you will have more out-of-pocket costs when you make a hospital claim.

How much does QLD ambulance cover cost?

The state government covers ambulance fees for all Queensland residents^. Whether you're at home or interstate, you won't be out of pocket for any emergency or non-emergency ambulance care or transport via both road and air.

For visitors from other Australian states and territories, please note that there are no reciprocal arrangements between the QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) and interstate ambulance services. 

This means that you’re responsible for the cost of any ambulance services you use in Queensland, and you’re required to pay your invoice in full. If you have private health insurance that includes ambulance cover, your insurer can take care of this invoice.

Expert Tip: Nearly all hospital cover includes ambulance cover; extras-only cover may not. It may be possible to have your QAS invoice paid by your home state or territory ambulance service, if you already receive government concessions in your state (such as veteran’s concessions).

Health Insurance Statistics For Queensland:

41.1% of Queenslanders have hospital cover. 

48.2% have extras cover.

Queensland’s takeup of private health cover is lower than the national average. In fact, it’s the lowest in the country, followed by Tasmania. 

This could be because the cost of health cover in Queensland is higher than most other states, except Victoria. However, ambulance trips are free so ambulance-only cover (usually an early purchase for young Australians taking out their first health insurance policy), isn’t common*.

How much do Queenslanders on average pay for health insurance?

The average premium for health cover across Queensland in 2023 was $176.79* for hospital cover and $73.32 for extras.

Which are the most popular insurers in Australia?

The most popular health funds in Australia, based on the lowest levels of customer service complaints, include:

●  HBF (only 4.0% of complaints versus their 7.3% market share).

●  Medibank (22.8% of complaints versus 26.9% market share).

●  Bupa (21.5% of complaints, versus 25.4% market share).

●  nib (8.1% of complaints versus 9.2% market share).

What do Queenslanders claim on their private health cover?

The majority of claims (over 356,000) made by Queenslanders last quarter were for anaesthesia services, and specialist services, including psychiatric care (353,000). This indicates the value of hospital cover in Queensland. Other main sources of claims included:

• General surgery;

• Colorectal procedures;

• Cardiopulmonary procedures and after care (including intensive care).

There were also around 9,000 claims for pregnancy-related care over the same period.

What's the best private health insurance for Queensland?

Queensland Country Health Fund is state-specific and focuses on regionally located members based almost exclusively in Queensland and NT. They have the highest satisfaction rating across the state, and include accommodation care in their policies. This is so that regionally-located members are covered if they need to travel to a more metro location for medical care, and reside nearby while receiving treatment.

In July 2023, this fund was taken over by HBF, one of the largest health funds in Australia and based in WA.

Other funds getting thumbs-up from Queenslanders include:

• Frank Health Insurance.

• Phoenix Health Fund.

• AIA Health Fund.

Sources:

apra.gov.au

qld.gov.au

health.qld.gov.au

data.gov.au

ombudsman.gov.au

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Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley

Chris's top health insurance tips

• 1

  Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.

• 2

  An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.

• 3

  Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.

• 4

  Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).