Overview

Established in 1954 by the NSW Teachers Federation, Teachers Health is now Australia’s largest industry-based health fund.

This not-for-profit fund is part of the Members Own Network. It covers over 350,000 teachers, education employees and their families.

The Teachers Health fund has a strong focus on corporate social responsibility and runs a number of sponsorships, scholarships, and programs to care for the health and wellbeing of those in the education community.

Key features

• Australia’s only health fund exclusive to the education sector
• Nine month waiting period for pregnancy and birth services
• Extra support for pregnancy, mental health and weight loss

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.

Teachers Health offers five hospital plans. Each level of cover, from Basic Plus to Gold, builds on the level before it.

StarterPak (Basic Plus)

This entry-level policy offers combined hospital and extras cover. It allows you to choose your doctor and covers a few services in a private hospital. It also includes the most commonly used extras, and offers $500 annual limits per person on major and general dental.

Key inclusions:

• Dental surgery
• Hernia and appendix
• Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
• Extras such as dental, physio and optical

Basic Hospital (Basic Plus)

This hospital-only policy is designed for the budget-conscious. It covers you for all the same hospital services as the StarterPak, plus a few more with restricted cover. The excess is $300.

Key inclusions:

• Joint reconstructions
• Dental surgery
• Avoids Medicare Levy Surcharge

Mid Hospital (Basic Plus)

Cover for everyday health needs that doesn’t exclude any services. It covers a large number of services, while others – like pregnancy and joint replacements – have restricted cover (meaning you are limited to public hospital cover). Choose a $300 or $500 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Kidney and bladder
• Insulin pumps
• Podiatric surgery
• Medically necessary breast surgery

Mid Classic (Silver Plus)

A broad, mid-level cover option that includes many services usually offered in Top Hospital, but excludes items such as pregnancy and weight loss surgery to lower the cost. Choose a $300 or $500 excess.

Key inclusions:

• Palliative care
• Heart and vascular system
• Lung and chest
• Rehabilitation

Top Hospital (Gold)

This is the top tier cover option with no exclusions or restrictions. It comes with a range of family planning services and, unusually, a nine month waiting period for pregnancy and birthing (most funds have a 12 month waiting period). Excess options are $0, $300 or $500.

Key inclusions:

• Pregnancy and birth
• Cataracts
• Join replacements
• Assisted reproductive services

Ambulance cover

All Teachers Health plans include emergency ambulance cover. If you don’t want to take out hospital or extras cover, you can purchase emergency ambulance cover separately. Queensland and Tasmanian residents won’t need to do this as they’re covered by their state schemes.

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 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.

Teachers Health offers three levels of extras cover: StarterPak, Essential Extras and their most expensive Top Extras policy.

The first can only be purchased with hospital cover and the other two can be purchased on their own.

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

All Teachers Health members can access:

• Support programs through Teachers Healthcare Services.
• Teachers Health Centres, with discounted dental and optical services.
• Health Lifestyle programs included in all extras policies.
• Health and fitness discounts on exercise equipment, weight management programs and nutrition programs.
• Discounts on shopping, groceries, travel and more through the Teachers Health Shopping portal.

How to claim

Claim on the spot through HICAPS at a provider. You can also claim through the Teachers Health app and online, or by email or post.

Hospital agreements

Teachers Health has agreements with many private hospitals and day surgeries across Australia. 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