Singles Health Insurance in Australia: How to Choose Hospital, Extras or Combined Cover

What is singles health insurance?

Singles health insurance is a private health insurance policy designed for one individual. The person covered is also the sole policyholder. This type of policy may suit someone who does not have a partner, as well as people in a couple who prefer to organise their cover separately.

Singles policies are generally distinct from cover arrangements for single parents, who may be covered under a family policy. In practical terms, however, singles private health insurance works much like other private health insurance: as a single, you can take out cover for a wide range of treatments, including services that may be relevant at different life stages.

Singles policies represent a meaningful share of the market. Around 24% of all Hospital policies are singles policies, based on the most recent Australian health insurance statistics referenced in the extracted content. In a survey of more than 1,000 people, 44% of respondents said they were on a singles health insurance policy. The Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA) also reported that singles policies made up the largest share of PHIIA-member sales in 2024–25, accounting for 49%.

Hospital, Extras, or combined: the three main options

Singles health insurance can be arranged as Hospital-only, Extras-only, or a combined Hospital and Extras policy. The right structure depends on what you want covered and how much you’re comfortable paying in premiums.

• Hospital cover: helps cover costs associated with being treated as a private patient in a public or private hospital. This can include medical costs and related costs such as accommodation, transport and meals while you’re in hospital.
• Extras cover: helps cover certain out-of-hospital treatments and expenses not covered by Medicare, such as dental and optical. Inclusions and limits depend on the level of cover you choose.
• Combined cover: bundles Hospital and Extras into one policy, which can be convenient if you want both types of protection.

Understanding Hospital tiers: Basic to Gold

Singles Hospital policies are offered in tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Basic generally offers the least coverage, while Gold is the most comprehensive. The tiers are standardised across providers, meaning a Basic policy from one insurer should closely mirror a Basic policy from another insurer (though it’s still important to check the details of what’s included).

Extras cover: where tailoring matters most

Extras cover often provides more flexibility than Hospital cover. As a single policyholder, you can try to tailor Extras benefits to the services you actually expect to use. Because providers can vary more in how they structure Extras, it can be worth shopping around and comparing inclusions and annual limits carefully.

When reviewing Extras, it’s not just about whether a service is included. Claim limits can make a big difference. You might find a policy that includes the services you want, but with limits that are too low to be useful for your needs. In that case, you may need to consider a different policy or a higher level of cover.

How to compare singles policies: practical checkpoints

Finding a suitable singles policy is usually about balancing value and peace of mind. A comparison can start with deciding the type of cover you want (Hospital-only, Extras-only, or combined) and then narrowing down based on budget and the benefits you’ll realistically use.

• Inclusions: confirm the treatments and services you want are actually covered.
• Claim limits: check annual limits and service-specific caps, especially for Extras.
• Waiting periods: be aware that waiting periods may apply, including up to 12 months for pre-existing conditions. Standard waiting periods are typically two months for general treatments and 12 months for major treatments or pre-existing conditions.
• Affordability: compare policies within a price range you can maintain long term, not just the cheapest option.
• Special offers: some policies include incentives for new customers such as discounted premiums in the first year, rewards points, cashback, or waived waiting periods on Extras. These can be useful, but ongoing suitability and affordability should remain the priority.

What singles health insurance can cost

Average costs cited in the extracted content suggest singles Hospital cover costs around $85–$270 per month, and Extras averages $57 per month (based on an analysis referenced in the content). Premiums vary depending on the level of cover, age, income, chosen provider, and details such as the excess selected for Hospital cover.

To illustrate potential pricing, the extracted content provided example quotes for a single person aged 35 living in NSW with an income under $101,000. The quotes were for each provider’s most basic level of Hospital care and a medium level of Extras that covers at least emergency ambulance, general and major dental, optical and physio. The combined Hospital and Extras examples listed monthly premiums of:

• $116.34
• $117.87
• $118.80
• $122.58
• $129.77
• $132.65

These figures were stated as accurate as at 11 December 2025 and presented as a guide only, noting that differences may reflect varying levels of cover, that prices excluded special offers, and that not all providers were included.

Key cost factors: rebate, Lifetime Health Cover loading, excess, and surcharge

Several system settings and policy choices can materially affect what a single person pays.

• Government rebate: the government health insurance rebate can reduce premium costs, with tiered rebates based on income (up to an income cap). The extracted content listed rebate percentages for the 2025–26 financial year across age groups (under 65, 65–69, and 70+).
• Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading: people aged over 31 who have never had private health insurance may pay an additional loading. The loading is 2% on top of the base Hospital premium for every year over 30 (based on age on 1 July prior to joining), capped at 70%, and it expires after 10 years of continuous cover.
• Age-based discount (under 30): if you’re under 30 when you take out cover, some insurers offer an age-based discount. It is described as 2% for every year under 30, applying until age 41 and then phasing out gradually. Not all providers offer this.
• Excess: some providers allow a higher excess on a Hospital policy to reduce premiums. The maximum excess for singles is $750 per claim. A higher excess can lower premiums but increases out-of-pocket costs when claiming.
• Medicare levy surcharge: the extracted content notes this can apply based on an individual’s income if you don’t have a minimum level of eligible Hospital cover, operating in a way similar to income tax and deducted by an employer.

Singles cover vs couples cover: when separate policies can make sense

You don’t have to be single to choose a singles policy. It’s fairly common for people in a couple to take out separate singles policies so each person can choose the level of cover that fits their needs. The extracted content states it is generally no more expensive, in terms of base premiums, to have separate singles policies versus a couples policy.

The main benefit of separate singles policies is flexibility. For example, one partner may want a higher level of cover due to more complex health needs, while the other may prefer a lower level. On the other hand, couples cover can be more convenient (such as having one end-of-financial-year statement), and combined claim limits can be helpful if one partner uses a particular service frequently. The extracted content also notes that couples cover may work out cheaper in some situations depending on income and age, including scenarios where a higher rebate could apply.

Common questions: pregnancy, mental health, GP visits, and claiming

• Pregnancy cover: to claim pregnancy and birth-related benefits, you generally need a Hospital policy that includes pregnancy and obstetrics, typically in higher levels of cover, and there is usually a 12-month waiting period. A singles policy can still provide pregnancy benefits even if a partner is not covered under the same policy.
• Mental health support: many policies include support through psychology or counselling benefits, but it’s important to check whether services sit under Hospital or Extras.
• GP visits: most GP visits are covered by Medicare, not private health insurance, though some Extras policies may cover items such as vaccinations, telehealth services, or allied health that complements GP care.
• Claiming: claims can often be made via an insurer’s app or website, or by swiping a membership card at the provider. Some insurers offer same-day payments into your account.

Keeping costs manageable over time

If money is tight, the extracted content suggests considering a Basic Hospital policy to help avoid the Medicare levy surcharge and to have Hospital cover in place, then adding a low-cost Extras plan if you use services like dental, optical or physio occasionally. Another approach mentioned is to reduce premiums by choosing a higher excess (within the maximum allowed) and by comparing policies regularly, as prices and offers can change.

Finally, the extracted content emphasises paying for cover you’ll actually use. If you don’t need certain inclusions, you may be able to reduce costs by selecting a policy with fewer inclusions or lower claim limits, while still ensuring the cover is sufficient for your circumstances.