Blog article

Do you need private health insurance in your 20s?

By HBF
4 minutes
1 July 2024
Two young woman hugging and having fun on a colourful street
Is private health insurance worth it for you? Here’s what HBF members in their 20s claim for the most on hospital and extras cover.

In your 20s, private health insurance might not be something you’ve given much thought to – and that’s understandable.

But for many people in their 20s, private health insurance does have some definite advantages.

Plus, depending on how much you earn, it could also help you save on tax.


In this article


Your health in your 20s

To decide if private health insurance is worth it for you, it can be helpful to look at some of the common health considerations for your age group.

For young Australians, some of the top health risks include mental health and accidents and injuries, according to government statistics.1

People in their 20s may also be planning a baby, so this may also be another factor in your decisions about your health.

So how could private health insurance help you? Let's take a look at what other people your age are claiming for. 

Health cover for young singles

Popular hospital claims

For HBF members in their 20s, some of the most common hospital cover claims include:2

Other benefits of private hospital cover

Of course, you can access these treatments in a public hospital too, and for many people in their 20s this can be a good option.

However, there are a few perks of being treated in a private hospital. For example:

  • You can choose your doctor or specialist. In the public hospital system, you don’t have this choice.
  • You can often get treated more quickly. Public hospital waiting lists for some procedures can be lengthy, which in some cases may mean living with discomfort or stress for longer while you wait for treatment.
  • You can get a private room, if one’s available.* Having a room to yourself can make your hospital experience that little bit more comfortable.

Plus, depending on your income, having private hospital cover can mean you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

This is a tax applied to high income earners (over $101,000 for individuals or $202,000 for couples and families) who don’t have an appropriate level of private hospital cover.

Popular extras claims

The other big part of private health insurance is extras cover.

This can give you benefits towards some out-of-hospital health services that Medicare generally doesn’t cover.

For HBF members in their 20s, some of the most used extras services include: 2

For parents

Got young kids? Private health insurance can also come in handy if the little ones need medical treatment. 

Popular hospital claims

A few common HBF hospital claims for children include:2

Extras cover claims for things like dental, optical, chiro and speech therapy are also common for young children.2

It’s important to know that not all levels of hospital and extras cover include the treatments and services described in this article. To find out more about levels of cover, check out HBF cover options.


Please note: This blog was originally published on 10 January 2022 and has been updated to include the latest information.


 

1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Health of young people (2020)

2 HBF claims data, 2019-2021

3 Australian Government Department of Health– The mental health of Australians 2 (2009)

4 HealthDirect – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (2020)

 

5 Commonwealth Ombudsman – Average dental costs

6 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – 1 in 2 Australians affected by eye problems (2015)

* For the treatment of included services at Member Plus hospitals only.



This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.