Blog article

Do you need private health insurance in your 50s?

By HBF
4 minutes
1 July 2024
A happy couple laughing on a couch
Are you thinking about the future? Here’s what HBF members in their 50s claim for the most on hospital and extras cover.

In your 50s, health often becomes a bigger focus – whether you’ve experienced some health issues, or you’re just thinking ahead.

So how could private health insurance help?

It’s an individual decision whether it’s worth it to you, but private health insurance can help give you a feeling of more choice, control and confidence for managing health issues that might come up. 


In this article


Your health in your 50s

In your 50s, preventative health becomes more important than ever, as your risk of conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease increases.1

That means it’s essential to stay on top of your regular check-ups and health screenings, and keep an eye on things like your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.1

So what about private health insurance? To get a picture of how private cover could help you, it can be useful to look at what other people in your age group are claiming for.

Popular hospital claims

First, let's look at hospital cover. For HBF members in their 50s, some of the most commonly claimed hospital treatment categories include:2 

Other benefits of private hospital cover

Of course, you can also choose to have these treatments in a public hospital.

However, there are a few benefits of private hospital treatment to consider. For example: 

Having private hospital cover can also mean you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

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

Popular extras claims

Extras cover can help with some of the more everyday, out-of-hospital health services that you might be juggling – things that Medicare generally doesn’t cover.

For HBF members in their 50s, some of the most-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 cover 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.


HealthDirect – Manage your health in your 50s (2020)

HBF claims data, 2019-2021

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

Heart Foundation – Key statistics: cardiovascular disease

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

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

Optometry Australia – Presbyopia (2020)

* 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.