How do I switch my private health insurance?

Looking to shake things up with your health insurance? You’re not alone. Given that inflation and rising interest rates are impacting the livelihood of millions of Aussies, it makes sense to cut costs wherever possible.

So whether you’re a cost-conscious parent or young, single and on the hunt for better coverage, you might be thinking about switching private health insurance policies. The best part? You're not stuck in a never-ending cycle of rising premiums if you do decide to switch things up.

Here’s how you can make a switch that suits your lifestyle and your budget.

The short answer is yes – switching private health insurance in Australia is a breeze if you know what you’re doing. Let’s break down the specifics:

• Switch anytime: There’s no designated season for switching health insurance – policies or providers. You’re free to make the change whenever it suits you. This flexibility means you can adapt your policy to your individual needs. Whether you’re looking for a higher level of cover, specific extras, a better deal or loyalty perks, you can shop around whenever you’re ready.
• Annual premiums: Most insurers increase their premiums every year on April 1st – no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke unfortunately. If you're eyeing a new policy, consider switching before this date to avoid any potential rate hikes.
• Cancelling and refunds: Just contact your insurer whenever you want to cancel a policy. When you switch, your old health fund should refund any premiums you’ve paid in advance, minus any administration or cancellation fees that some providers include in their PDS.
• Medicare levy surcharge (MLS): If you’re a high-income earner and cancel your hospital cover, you could be hit with the Medicare levy surcharge. This additional tax comes into play if your income surpasses a particular threshold ($93,000 for singles; $186,000 for couples). It’s an extra cost that can really add up over time.

The reality is that private health insurance in Australia is pretty dynamic, and competition among providers is strong. That’s good news for you! Switching is not only doable but also a smart strategy for keeping your insurance in line with your needs and budget.

Ready to get started? Here’s our simple 5-step guide for how to switch private health insurance:

• Shop around: Start by comparing different policies online. Look for one that matches your needs and budget, as well as any particular extras you might be interested in.
• Apply for new cover: Once you've found the right policy, sign up with your new insurer. You’ll need your old policy details and Medicare card, but your new provider should be able to take care of the brunt of the paperwork.
• Transfer process: Your new insurer will contact your previous fund to cancel your old policy. They’ll get a transfer certificate that includes your history, waiting periods and any claims made.
• Cancel old direct debits: Don't forget to cancel direct debits with your old insurer after switching.
• 30-day cooling-off period: Most insurers include a 30-day cooling-off period as part of their terms. If you change your mind and haven’t claimed benefits, you can request a refund of any premiums paid.

The amount of time it actually takes to switch from one private health insurance provider to another isn’t an exact science. It really does depend on your provider, your policy and how quickly you provide the relevant information. On average, though, the process should only take a few days – although expect it to potentially take a few weeks for the paperwork to come through.

Aside from the time you spend comparing different policies and deciding on the one you want, a large chunk might be spent completing the application for your new policy. While actually filling out the paperwork is usually a swift process, the time it takes to be processed by your new provider can vary. Some insurers just process their applications faster than others.

You’ll also need to factor in the transfer certificate, which includes details about your previous coverage, waiting periods and claims history. Your new insurer will have to request this directly from your old insurer, which can take time as well. In most cases, they are legally required to supply the transfer certificate within 14 days.

Given all these variables and more, it's important for you to plan ahead when switching providers. Be prepared for the process to take a bit of time, but rest easy knowing that the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 is designed to protect consumers who want to make a switch.

Once you think you've found the best health insurance policy for you and you’re certain that switching is what you want to do, there are some important aspects that deserve your attention – before you start the process in earnest:

Waiting periods already served under your previous policy generally carry over when you switch to a policy with the same or lower level of cover. However, if you’re upgrading to a higher tier or adding new services, you may need to serve waiting periods for those specific extras.

Some health funds have preferred providers or networks of healthcare professionals and hospitals. If you're switching, check whether your new insurer’s network matches your healthcare preferences and your location. Accessing services from your provider’s preferred list usually means fewer out-of-pocket costs.

Your new insurer might have different annual benefit limits for extras services like dental, optical and physiotherapy. Be aware that any claims made under your previous policy for the applicable extras in any given year can affect the annual limits of your new policy too.

Lifetime limits are relevant for certain treatments like orthodontics. If you’ve already reached your lifetime limit under your previous policy, you won't be able to claim further benefits for the same services under your new policy.

Bear in mind that loyalty bonuses from your old insurer might not carry over to your new one. Before switching, ask your insurer if it’s possible to retain any of these incentives. You might find that your new provider has its own loyalty program that’s more advantageous to your situation.

Any Australian Government rebate you received for your old policy will still apply to your new one if your eligibility hasn’t changed. This can help you maintain favourable premiums or a yearly rebate come tax time, as long as your income and age threshold haven’t changed.

For many Aussies, it's not about when to switch – it's about knowing you can switch whenever you want to. The flexibility of the system is all about giving you, and your new provider, complete choice over the policy, premiums and protection.

Just remember that when you do start the switching process, always weigh up important factors like waiting periods, loyalty bonuses and the inclusions on your new policy. Once you’ve found your perfect match, let your new provider handle all the paperwork while you enjoy peace of mind knowing that switching private health insurance really is that simple!