Navy health insurance review

Overview

Navy Health is a restricted fund and a not-for-profit insurer. Navy Health only allows members of the Defence Force to join its fund, but this includes people who work in any area of Defence, now or in the past. It also includes family members or anyone who has a connection to Defence through the workplace.

It's a member of the Members Health Alliance Fund and all profits are diverted back into the fund to give back more to members.

Navy Health isn't on our panel but we're confident we can get you a great deal on your health insurance. Learn more about Navy Health’s hospital and extras cover below.

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.

Navy Health offers four levels of hospital cover, ranging from Bronze all the way up to Premium Gold Hospital that offers their most comprehensive cover.

Saver Bronze+ Hospital

Navy Health's budget cover is aimed at people who are young and healthy, but still includes a wide range of hospital treatments. Has a $500 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Palliative care

• Dental surgery

• Gynaecology

Core Silver+ Hospital

A comprehensive hospital cover policy that includes almost everything except pregnancy and weight loss services, making it suitable for older customers. Has a $500 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Cataracts

• Heart and vascular system

• Rehabilitation

Premium Gold Hospital

Navy Health's most comprehensive level of hospital cover includes all the major private services such as pregnancy and IVF, making it suitable for service personnel looking to start a family. Offers no excess, $350 or $750 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birthing

• Assisted reproductive services

• Weight-loss surgery

Corporate Gold Hospital

Navy Health's most comprehensive level of hospital cover includes all the major private services such as pregnancy and IVF, making it suitable for service personnel looking to start a family. Offers $200 or $500 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birthing

• Assisted reproductive services

• Weight-loss surgery

Ambulance cover

Navy Health includes comprehensive ambulance cover on all hospital and extras policies, but does not provide benefits for privately run patient transport services, including Flying Doctor Services or Care Flight.

Extras cover

Navy Health Fund’s extras reset on July 1 every year.

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 Navy Health’s extras cover below, it’s always worth taking a closer look at potential gap fees, how much you can claim back, and whether your preferred healthcare provider is recognised by 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, our experts are here to help.

Navy Health has four extras options to choose from, but the Extras 65 cover option is only available with the Saver+ Bronze Hospital hospital cover.

Extras 65

Extras 65 provides cover for the essentials, as well as offering 65% back on extras, such as major dental, optical and ambulance.

Key inclusions:

• General and Major Dental

• Optical

• Ambulance services

Budget Extras

Budget Extras offers benefits on the most popular services, making it an appealing value for money option.

Key inclusions:

• General and Major Dental

• Optical

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy

Healthy Living Extras

Navy Health's most popular option provides a broader range of cover than Budget Extras and higher benefits on the basics.

Key inclusions:

• Orthodontics

• Occupational Therapy

• Podiatry

Premium Extras

The most comprehensive level of cover provides higher benefits and annual limits on all services, as well as extra protections for families.

Key inclusions:

• School accidents

• Higher annual limits on all services covered by Healthy Living Extras

• Laser eye surgery

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.

Hospital waiting periods

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and birth

• 2 months for hospital psychiatric services, rehabilitation and palliative care as well as health programs, hospital substitution programs and all other services

Extra waiting periods

• 12 months for major dental, orthodontics and CPAP devices

• 6 months for optical 

• 2 months for all other health and medical services, including general dental and physiotherapy

Member benefits

Funds such as Navy Health that are part of the Members Health Fund Alliance have value-based member driven business models with close to 90% of all premiums returned to policyholders in benefits.

All members who take out hospital cover also have access to an online wellness portal and a chronic disease management program.

How to claim

You can swipe your Navy Health membership card to claim directly on the spot with your provider's HICAPS or iSOFT terminal.

You can also claim via the Navy Health app, claim online through Online Member Services or fill out the claim form and send it via email or mail.

Hospital agreements

Navy Health has agreements with most private hospitals and day clinics across Australia.

When comparing policies, it's worth checking if your local hospitals and clinics are covered.

Our specialists at Compare Club can do this for you.

Customer service

Navy Health received 0.3% of complaints in 2021, and has a market share of <0.5%^.

FAQs

1. Is Navy Health a not-for-profit fund?

Yes, Navy Health is a not-for-profit fund.

2. Who can apply? Are there restrictions?

Navy Health is a restricted membership fund, but is open to current and past members of the Defence Force.

3. Is it easy to switch to Navy Health?

Navy Health isn’t on our panel but we’re confident we can find you a great deal on your health insurance.

You’ll need to contact Navy Health directly if you’re interested in switching to one of their policies.

4. Do I need to re-serve waiting periods?

If you switch to an equivalent or lower level of cover, you won’t have to serve new waiting periods. However, you may need to serve new waiting periods if your new policy includes additional services or higher benefits

5. Can I change my level of cover?

Yes, you can choose a lower or higher level of cover.

If you move to a higher level of cover, you will usually need to serve waiting periods on the extra services/higher benefits.

6. Do I get the government rebate?

For every dollar of private health insurance premiums, the Australian Government provides eligible Australians with a rebate of up to 33.4% (depending on your age and income). To learn what you’re entitled to, read our rebate guide.

7. Do I have to pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading?

If you’re 31 or over, you usually need to pay 2% loading for each year you’ve gone without hospital cover since the 1st July following your 31st birthday. You can find out more here.

8. Up to what age are children covered?

Dependent children can be on your plan up to the ages of 22, or up to 25 if they are studying full-time.

This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.

^Private Health Ombudsman, Navy Health, accessed 13 January 2022.