Overview

Founded over 180 years ago, Australian Unity is Australia’s first member-owned wellbeing company. It provides health, wealth and aged care services to over 1 million customers, including 300,000 members across the country.

While Australian Unity isn’t not-for-profit, as part of the Members Health Fund Alliance, it diverts profits back into the business to benefit members rather than shareholders.

It has six hospital health insurance policies for customers, including Gold, with no restrictions. That includes three Silver Plus plans designed for different life stages, from young couples, to single parents, to growing families. There are also six extras plans.

Members also have access to Wellplan Rewards®, a loyalty program with a range of discounts on everyday shopping.

Key features

• Member-owned, with profits going back into the company
• No gap preventative dental cover on selected plans
• Fast on-the-spot claims through HICAPS and the mobile app

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.

Australian Unity offers a choice of six plans, from no-frills basic cover through to a Gold plan that covers almost everything. There’s also three mid-level Silver Plus plans, based on the needs of your family unit.

All Australian Unity hospital plans come with:

• Excess waived for accidents
• Hospital care and rehabilitation at home/li>
• Increased cover if injury or illness is caused by an accident for members on basic, bronze and silver hospital covers (but some conditions will apply)
• Access to the Wellplan Rewards® loyalty program

Simple Hospital
(Basic Plus)

Australian Unity’s budget cover for accidents and simple hospital procedures, although a lot of services will be excluded or restricted with this level of cover. It’s typically taken out by healthy young singles and couples without children.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery
• Joint constructions
• Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
• Hernia and appendix

Standard Hospital
(Bronze Plus)

A hospital plan that’s a step above the Basic Plus package. It covers accidents and common hospital services. It’s typically taken out by singles, couples and families.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery
• Breast surgery (medically necessary)
• Chemo, radiotherapy and immunotherapy
• Gynaecology

Intermediate Hospital
(Silver Plus)

A medium level of cover with a wider range of common procedures than the Bronze and Basic packages.

Key inclusions:

• Chemo, radiotherapy and immunotherapy
• Ear, nose and throat
• Heart and vascular system
• Sleep studies

Classic Hospital
(Silver Plus)

Mid-lever cover with a broad range of procedures including cataracts and joint replacements that aren’t covered in the Intermediate Hospital package.

Pregnancy and birth services are not included, so if you’re starting a family, Advanced or Ultimate Hospital cover may be more suitable.

Key inclusions:

• Joint reconstructions
• Cataracts
• Pain management with device
• Podiatry
• Heart and vascular system

Advanced Hospital
(Silver Plus)

One of the highest levels of cover for most hospital services, including midwifery and assisted reproductive services. Ideal for people who are starting or growing their family.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birth
• Assisted reproductive services
• Weight loss surgery
• Dialysis for chronic kidney failure

Ultimate Hospital
(Gold)

Australian Unity’s most expensive plan. Comprehensive cover with all hospital services, including pregnancy, the BumptoBaby program for mums-to-be, psychiatry in a private hospital and more.

Key inclusions:

• Non-restricted hospital psychiatric services
• BumptoBaby program

Ambulance Cover

All hospital plans include emergency ambulance trips to hospital (some conditions apply, so check if you’re considering this policy). You’re also covered for two ambulance attendant visits per person, per year, where you’re not taken to hospital.

Extras cover

Extras
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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.

Australian Unity has six extras plans to choose from. There’s basic cover for those on a budget, through to a comprehensive plan that offers $8,500 cover per person, per year.

A quick note: the limits below are the cumulative total of what you could claim back if you claimed back the full amount on every extra. It’s not the limit per extra.

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.

Member benefits

Along with a broad range of hospital and extra covers, Australian Unity offers members a range of health programs. Depending on your level and length of cover, you can get free support for mental health, living with chronic conditions, preparing for parenthood, dental health and more.

Members also have access to Australian Unity’s Wellplan Rewards®, a loyalty program that comes with a range of discounts at popular retailers. You’ll be able to save on everyday shopping like groceries, petrol, meals and alcohol.

How to claim

Australian Unity offers a range of ways to claim. You can claim on the spot through the HICAPS payment system at your provider. You can also claim online, through the mobile app, or by phone, email, mail or fax.

Hospital agreements

Australian Unity has agreements with most private hospitals and day clinics across Australia – see the scale and lists below. When comparing policies, it’s worth checking if your preferred local hospitals and clinics are covered. Our specialists at Health Insurance Comparison can do this for you.

Customer service

Australian Unity received 31 complaints from 1 January to 30 March 2020. That’s 3.6% of complaints vs 2.7% market share, indicating customer service is average.

Australian Unity FAQs