Blog article

Do you need private health insurance in your 40s?

By HBF
4 minutes
1 July 2024
A happy couple outside their house
Here’s what HBF members in their 40s claim for the most on hospital and extras insurance.

Your 40s are a time when you might be thinking more about your health, the future and your family.

With that in mind, you might be wondering if private health insurance is a good idea for you.

The short answer is: it’s an individual choice. But it’s well worth considering the advantages private health insurance can offer you.


In this article


Your health in your 40s

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

In your 40s, preventative health becomes especially important, as your risk of health problems such as diabetesheart conditions and cancer increases with age.1 

Now is the time to create and maintain healthy lifestyle habits (like eating a balanced dietgetting regular exercisereducing alcohol and not smoking), and make sure you’re keeping up with regular health checks and screenings.1

So where could private health insurance fit in? Let’s take a look at some of the common HBF claims for people in your age group.

Popular hospital claims

When it comes to hospital cover, some of the most common claims for HBF members in their 40s include:2

Other benefits of private hospital cover

You can also choose to have these treatments in a public hospital, and this can be a good option.

However, it’s worth considering some of the perks of being treated in a private hospital. For example:

Plus, there are a couple more things to consider:

Popular extras claims

Extras cover can help you manage the costs of some of the more everyday, non-hospital health services that Medicare generally doesn’t cover.

For HBF members in their 40s, some of the most-frequently claimed extras services are:2

For parents

If you have kids, private health insurance can also provide extra choice and convenience for treatments that may be needed.

Popular hospital claims

At HBF, some of the most popular hospital claims for children and teenagers include:1

Extras cover claims for things like dental, optical, physio and chiro are also common for children and teenagers.1

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 HealthDirect – Manage your health in your 40s (2020)

2 HBF claims data, 2019-2021

3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Cancer in Australia: In brief (2019)

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

5 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Back problems  (2020)

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

7 Optometry Australia – Presbyopia (2020)

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

^Annual limits and waiting periods apply. Percentage back benefits are payable for services, programs and providers approved by HBF, when provider charges in accordance with the Member Plus schedule fee. Excludes Basic Extras and closed products.



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.