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Best extras health insurance policies for your budget

Our insurance experts find the best extras cover for families, seniors, singles and couples.

Jodi Bird @jodirbird

Daniel Graham

Last updated: 21 June 2024

Our insurance experts have reviewed extras health cover from more than 40 insurers to find the best policies on the market.

Join CHOICE to find out our recommended extras policies for seniors, families, singles and couples below. Unlike other comparison sites, we don't get paid by any health insurers, so we only recommend the best policies for you.

Who should buy extras?

Extras insurance is for people who want help managing predictable healthcare costs. If you know how much you're likely to spend on things like dental check-ups, physio sessions and glasses, you can use extras to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. If you claim back more than you spend on the policy, then you've got your money's worth.

Don't buy extras if you aren't prepared to put the effort in to claim. If you keep paying your premium and don't claim it back, it's the same as that gym membership you never use: a waste of money.

How health insurance extras works

Extras policies give you discounts on health services that aren't covered by Medicare. These include dental costs, glasses, and allied health care like physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry. You can also claim for appliances like hearing aids, orthoses and blood glucose monitors.

Don't buy extras if you aren't prepared to put the effort in to claim

Extras isn't insurance in the traditional sense of the word, where you buy it "just in case". Think of it as more of a book of discount vouchers. By paying a monthly premium you can use it to spread your expenses more evenly over the course of the year. Used correctly it can even reduce your health costs.

Most people bundle an extras policy with their private hospital cover. This isn't necessary: you can buy hospital cover on its own, and you don't need extras to avoid the tax penalties the government imposes on people without health insurance.

When is dental care not just dental care? When it's covered by your extras policy. Depending on your policy you might be covered for just the basic services, or the whole range of out-of-hospital dental treatments. Many insurers will have different annual limits for simple and complex treatment.

General dental is covered by just about every extras policy on the market. It includes all the basic, routine dental treatment you know and love, like X-rays, fillings and simple extractions.
Preventative dental refers to regular check-ups and cleans. It falls under general dental but sometimes insurers won't count those items toward your annual limit.
Major dental includes bigger jobs like surgical tooth extractions and crowns.
Endodontic (root canals) is often bundled with major dental but is its own category, meaning insurers can have a separate limit for it, or exclude it entirely.
Orthodontic (braces) almost always has separate limits.

We've listed the cover each recommended policy offers for a regular check-up, which consists of periodic oral exam, scale and clean, and fluoride treatment. These are itemised separately on your bill, and your policy will have individual benefits for each. We've summed the three amounts to make it easier to compare.

We compare policies on the following criteria.

Price

For seniors, the premium before the rebate for a single person must be under $90.
For families, the premium before the rebate for a family of two adults and two kids must be under $200.
For singles and couples, the premium before the rebate for a single person must be under $50.

Complaints

The rate and seriousness of complaints made to the ombudsman about the health fund. We only selected funds that have a low or medium complaints rating in our health insurance comparison.

Cover

In each recommended category, we score selected services that we decide need to be covered for that category. This includes:

the rebates available for individual items (e.g. a physio session) and the total amount you can claim in a year
the range of services available in a policy.

Product information for all health insurance products is published by the government at data.gov.au. We use complaint data published by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman.

Ready to find the best extras cover?

Log in to see our pick for the best extras for seniors, families, singles and couples. These results are for CHOICE members only and focus on extras insurance. If you're looking for hospital insurance policies, visit our health insurance comparison.

Non-members can read our extras insurance buying guide for more information on choosing extras cover.

Our buying guide explains how to work out if your current extras insurance policy is right for you, what level of extras cover you need, and how much you can claim.

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Best extras for seniors

This category is for people who are looking for a policy with good cover for hearing aids. We compared policies in this category on price and cover, particularly for services commonly claimed by people over 65.

We've selected policies that cost less than $90 a month (before the 25% government rebate) and offer the best level of cover for general dental, major dental, optical, physiotherapy, podiatry and hearing aids.

Some of our recommendations come from restricted membership funds, and it's worth investigating whether you're eligible – it's often not as restricted as it seems.

Keep in mind: In years when you don't make a hearing aid claim, you'll have to work hard to claim back the full premium for these policies. On top of this, you'll need to take into account waiting periods for cover, and sometimes there are restrictions on the number of hearing aids you can claim over a few years.

Insurer/Policy	Recommended in
HBF Complete 60	All states
Westfund High Extras	NSW; ACT; NT; Qld; SA; Vic; WA
Westfund High Extras Over 50s	NSW; ACT; SA; Vic WA
HCF Vital Extras	WA
HCF Top Extras	Tas
Latrobe Premier Singles and Couples Extras	SA
St.Lukes Health Super Extras	Tas
Teachers Health Top Extras* (restricted)	NSW; ACT; NT; Tas; Vic; WA

* Also available as UniHealth and Nurses & Midwives Health policies.

Note: Health insurance prices differ per state, that's why some of these policies aren't recommended in all states. Extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below, and the limits stated often have sublimits for specific items. Check the fund's website for full details.

Fund: HBF

Price: $57–87 per month (single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: All states.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 60% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 60% of fee.
$800 combined annual limit for general and major dental, and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $600.

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: 60% of fee.
Podiatry: 60% of fee.

Fund: Westfund

Price: $74–86 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; Northern Territory; Queensland; South Australia; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $135.
Surgical extraction: $150.
$1400 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $4200 ($1400 per year).

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: $210 for five visits.
Podiatry: $170 for five visits.

Fund: Westfund

Price: $64–71 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; South Australia; Victoria; Western Australia

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $122.
Surgical extraction: $145.
$1600 combined annual limit for general and major dental, and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $4200 ($1400 per year).

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: $210 for five visits.
Podiatry: $170 for five visits.

Fund: HCF

Price: $71 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $127.
Surgical extraction: $165.
$800 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $1800 ($600 per year).

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: $254 for five visits.
Podiatry: $155 for five visits.

Fund: HCF

Price: $83 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: Tasmania.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $142.
Surgical extraction: $210.
$1000 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $2400 ($800 per year).

Other services

Optical: $275 per year.
Physiotherapy: $276 for five visits.
Podiatry: $215 for five visits.

Fund: Latrobe

Price: $85 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: South Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $144.
Surgical extraction: $140.
$875 limit for major dental.

Hearing aids

Per device: 65% of fee.
Limit per three years: $750.

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: $250 for five visits.
Podiatry: $225 for five visits.

Fund: St.Lukes Health

Price: $86 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: Tasmania.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 100% ($36 benefit for fluoride treatment, other services fully covered).
Surgical extraction: $180.
Root canal: $172.
$1200 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: $1000.
Limited to two devices every five years.

Other services

Optical: $300 per year.
Physiotherapy: $240 for five visits.
Podiatry: $193 for five visits.

Fund: Teachers Health (restricted fund); also available as UniHealth and Nurses & Midwives Health (both restricted funds)

Price: $75–89 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate).

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; Tasmania; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $137.
Surgical extraction: $135.
$1300 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.

Hearing aids

Per device: 100% of fee.
Limit per three years: $3600 ($1200 per year).

Other services

Optical: $260 per year.
Physiotherapy: $215 for five visits.
Podiatry: $215 for five visits.

Best extras for families

These policies cover the most likely out-of-hospital expenses for parents as well as kids.

We selected policies that cost less than $200 a month, for a family of two adults and two kids (before the 25% government rebate). They must also cover general and major dental, orthodontic, physio, and non-Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines.

Some of our recommendations come from restricted membership funds, and it's worth investigating whether you're eligible – it's often not as restricted as it seems.

Non-Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (non-PBS) medicines

Commonly prescribed medicines in Australia are subsidised by the government under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This caps the cost of medicines listed on the PBS. If your family uses medicines that aren't on the list, they can cost a lot. Extras can help to manage the cost of these medicines.

Insurer/Policy	Recommended in
Health Partners Better Extras	NSW; ACT; Qld; SA; Tas; Vic; WA
HBF Complete 60	NT; Tas; WA
HBF Top 70	NT
GMHBA Top Extras 75% Benefits	NT
Doctors' Health Fund Essential Extras (restricted)	All states
Navy Health Healthy Living Extras (restricted)	All states
CBHS Top Extras (restricted)	NT; Qld; SA; Tas; Vic; WA
Teachers Health Top Extras* (restricted)	NSW; ACT; NT; Tas; Vic; WA
Emergency Services Health / Police Health Rolling Extras (restricted)	NT

* Also available as UniHealth and Nurses & Midwives Health policies.

Note: Health insurance prices differ per state, that's why some of these policies aren't recommended in all states. Extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below, and the limits stated often have sub-limits for specific items. Check the fund's website for full details.

Limits stated below are per person unless otherwise stated.

Fund: Health Partners

Price: $183–196 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; Queensland; South Australia; Tasmania; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 65% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 65% of fee.
$800 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.
Orthodontic: $1500 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: $180 for five visits.
Psychology: $375 for five visits.
Speech therapy: $155 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $300.

Fund: HBF

Price: $124–165 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory; Tasmania; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 60% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 60% of fee.
$800 combined annual limit for general and major dental, and endodontic.
Orthodontic: $600 annual limit, $1800 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: 60% of fee.
Psychology: 60% of fee.
Speech therapy: 60% of fee.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $300.

Fund: HBF

Price: $198 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 70% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 70% of fee.
$1000 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.
Orthodontic: $800 annual limit, $2400 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $275 per year.
Physiotherapy: 70% of fee.
Psychology: 70% of fee.
Speech therapy: 70% of fee.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $400.

Fund: GMHBA

Price: $198 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 75% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 75% of fee.
$2000 combined annual limit for general and major dental, orthodontic and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $250 per year.
Physiotherapy: 75% of fee.
Psychology: 75% of fee.
Speech therapy: 75% of fee.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $350 per person, $550 total policy limit.

Fund: Doctors' Health Fund (restricted fund)

Price: $177 per month (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: All states.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 100% of fee.
Surgical extraction: $153.
$1600 combined limit for general and major dental, orthodontic and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $500 per year.
Physiotherapy: $190 for five visits.
Psychology: $500 for five visits.
Speech therapy: $210 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $300.

Fund: Navy Health

Price: $149–153 per month (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: All states.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $131.
Surgical extraction: $135.
$1500 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.
Orthodontic: $2000 annual limit.

Other services

Optical: $260 per year.
Physiotherapy: $223 for five visits.
Psychology: $370 for five visits.
Speech therapy: $250 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $500.

Fund: CBHS (restricted fund)

Price: $179–196 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory; Queensland; South Australia; Tasmania; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $133.
Surgical extraction: $182.
Major dental: $7340.
Orthodontic: $2800 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $375 per year.
Physiotherapy: $233 for five visits.
Psychology: $460 for five visits (annual limit $450).
Speech therapy: $279 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $1000.

Fund: Teachers Health (restricted fund); also available as UniHealth and Nurses & Midwives Health (both restricted funds)

Price: $150–177 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; Northern Territory; Tasmania; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $137.
Surgical extraction: $135.
$1300 combined annual limit for major dental and endodontic.
Orthodontic: $2500 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $260 per year.
Physiotherapy: $215 for five visits.
Psychology: $388 for five visits.
Speech therapy: $260 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $800.

Fund: Emergency Services Health (restricted fund); Police Health (restricted fund)

Price: $194 per month for the states we've recommended it in (for a family of two adults and two children, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $235.
Surgical extraction: $260.
Major dental: $1500.
Orthodontic: $1500 annual limit, $3000 lifetime limit.

Other services

Optical: $350 per year.
Physiotherapy: $537 for five visits.
Psychology: $1422 for five visits (annual limit $850).
Speech therapy: $699 for five visits.
Non-PBS medicines and vaccinations: $600.

Best extras for singles and couples

These policies are worth considering if you want to claim a couple of dental check-ups, a pair of glasses and a few sessions at the physio. We selected policies that cost less than $50 a month (for a single person, before the 25% government rebate) and cover general and major dental, optical, physio, chiro, and remedial massage.

Insurer/Policy

Recommended in

Queensland Country Young Extras*

All states

Queensland Country Select Extras*

All states

AHM value extras

NSW; ACT; NT; Qld; Tas; Vic; WA

HCF Mid Extras

NT; Tas

AHM Black 60

WA

* Sold under the brand name Territory Health in the NT.

Note: Health insurance prices differ per state, that's why some of these policies aren't recommended in all states. Extras policies are complex, so we've only listed a few of the policy details below, and the limits stated often have sublimits for specific items. Check the fund's website for full details.

Fund: Queensland Country Health (sold as Territory Health in the NT)

Price: $31–36 per month (for a single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: All states.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $127.
Surgical extraction: $135.
$500 combined limit for general and major dental.

Other services

Optical: $225 per year.
Physiotherapy: $190 for five visits.
Chiropractic: $162 for five visits.
Remedial massage: $175 for five visits.

Fund: Queensland Country Health (sold as Territory Health in the NT)

Price: $44–48 per month (single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: All states.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $134.
Surgical extraction: $126.
$600 combined limit for major dental and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $245 per year.
Physiotherapy: $192 for five visits.
Chiropractic: $156 for five visits.
Remedial massage: $165 for five visits.

Fund: AHM

Price: $37–44 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory; Northern Territory; Queensland; Tasmania; Victoria; Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $115.
Surgical extraction: $99.
$650 combined limit for general and major dental, and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $180 per year.
Physiotherapy: $138 for five visits.
Chiropractic: $138 for five visits.
Remedial massage: $115 for five visits.

Fund: HCF

Price: $32–34 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Northern Territory; Tasmania.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: $122.
Surgical extraction: $157.
$650 combined limit for major dental and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $200 per year.
Physiotherapy: $252 for five visits.
Chiropractic: $174 for five visits ($150 annual limit).
Remedial massage: $160 for five visits ($150 annual limit).

Fund: AHM

Price: $45 per month for the states we've recommended it in (single person, before the rebate). Premiums vary by state.

Recommended in: Western Australia.

Dental cover

Regular check-up: 60% of fee.
Surgical extraction: 60% of fee.
$600 combined limit for major dental and endodontic.

Other services

Optical: $200 per year.
Physiotherapy: 60% of fee.
Chiropractic: 60% of fee.
Remedial massage: 60% of fee.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Insurer/Policy	Recommended in
Queensland Country Young Extras*	All states
Queensland Country Select Extras*	All states
AHM value extras	NSW; ACT; NT; Qld; Tas; Vic; WA
HCF Mid Extras	NT; Tas
AHM Black 60	WA

Best extras health insurance policies for your budget

Our insurance experts find the best extras cover for families, seniors, singles and couples.

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Who should buy extras?

How health insurance extras works

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Best extras for seniors

Best extras for families

Non-Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (non-PBS) medicines

Best extras for singles and couples

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