Overview

Frank Health Insurance was founded in 2009 and operates entirely online in order to reduce overheads. It’s part of not-for-profit insurer GMHBA.

Members can choose from seven hospital plans skewed towards the budget end. Five extras plans are also available.

Frank offers members some plenty of benefits. There’s a loyalty program, savings on dental and optical, and an app that focuses on physio.

Key features

• Use your own dentist, optometrist or physio for greater convenience.
• Frank is entirely online, to reduce overheads and help lower premiums
• Member benefits include loyalty, optical and dental discounts

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, you could avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
Frank offers four budget policies and three mid-high range policies.

Basic Hospital 500
(Basic +)

This is the absolute basics – public hospital cover for people, typically young, healthy singles and couples, who want the bare minimum to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge. An annual excess cap of $500 for singles and $1,000 for couples applies. This policy does not include a private room, emergency ambulance or priority over public patients.

Key inclusions:

• Avoids the Medicare Levy Surcharge
• Restricted benefits for rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services, and palliative care.

Basic Hospital Plus
(Basic +)

Includes treatment as a private patient in a public hospital, plus a few common procedures in a private hospital. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery
• Joint reconstructions.
• Hernia and appendix
• Gastrointestinal endoscopy

Private Hospital
(Bronze)

Affordable cover in a private hospital for a range of common procedures. Suitable for singles, couples and families on a budget. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Brain and nervous system
• Breast surgery (medically necessary)
• Chemo, radiotherapy and immunotherapy
• Kidney and bladder

Better Hospital
(Bronze+)

Mid-level cover for a wide range of services, without paying for things you may not need, like pregnancy. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Lung and chest
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)
• Eye (not cataracts)
• Podiatric surgery

Silver Hospital (Silver)

Mid-level cover that offers extra services such as heart and vascular, and implantation of approved hearing devices. Suitable for those who want a good level of cover. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples or families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Back, neck and spine
• Heart and vascular system
• Implantation of hearing devices
• Digestive system

Max Hospital (Silver+)

A higher level of cover with a few exclusions such as pregnancy. If you’re planning on starting a family, the Top Hospital policy may be more suitable. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Cataracts
• Joint replacement
• Sleep studies
• Heart and vascular system

Top Hospital (Silver+)

Frank’s top level of cover, ideal for people starting or growing their family. An annual excess cap of $750 for singles and $1,500 for couples/families applies.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birth
• Assisted reproductive services
• Dialysis for chronic kidney failure
• Heart and vascular system

Ambulance cover

Emergency ambulance is covered with no waiting period, excluding Basic Hospital 500 (Basic+), Basic Hospital Plus (Basic+) and Starter Bundle (Basic) policies.

You can’t claim if your state government provides free ambulances, or if you hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

Extras cover

Extras
reset

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 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 who can talk you through what’s included in each extras policy.

With Frank Extras, you have the freedom to see your favourite dentist, optometrist and other providers. Choose from five simple plans.

Combined cover packages

A combined hospital and extras policy gives you the best of both worlds. Frank offers one combined policy.

Essentials Bundle (Silver)

This policy includes common procedures in a private hospital, along with 60% back on a wide range of extras.

Key hospital inclusions:

• Dental surgery
• Heart and vascular system
• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy
• Hernia and appendix

Key hospital inclusions:

• General and major dental
• Orthodontic
• Chiro, osteo and physio
• Optical

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

Frank Hospital Rewards is a loyalty program to keep out-of-pocket costs from a hospital stay to a minimum. They also offer dental savings with smile.com.au, plus optical discounts through a range of retailers.

Extras members can access Kieser Konnect, an app that offers telehealth services, plus face-to-face physio treatments and exercises.

How to claim

Claim on the spot through the HICAPS payment system at your provider or online. You can also claim via email.

Hospital agreements

Frank has agreements with more than 480 private hospitals and day clinics across Australia, through the Australian Health Service Alliance. When comparing policies, it’s worth checking if your local hospitals and clinics are covered. Our specialists at Health Insurance Comparison can do this for you.

Customer service

FAQs