Excess
Excess is the amount you choose to pay towards your hospital admission. Find out how to lower your premiums by adjusting your hospital excess.
What is an excess?
Having an excess on your Hospital cover is a way of making your health insurance cheaper. Generally, the higher your excess is, the lower your premiums will be.
Just like with your car or home insurance, an excess is a contribution you’re required to pay towards a Hospital claim you make on your policy. It’s paid directly to the hospital when you’re admitted for treatment.
An excess doesn’t apply for Extras or Overseas Students cover.
When do I pay my excess?
You’ll only ever pay your excess if you’re admitted to hospital as a private patient. You’ll need to pay your excess upfront before you receive treatment.
The remaining costs will be paid by Medicare (if you’re an Australian resident), and depending on your cover, your hospital insurance - although some out of pocket expenses may apply.
The number of times an excess is payable per calendar year varies depending on your cover. To find out more about your excess, refer to your Policy Booklet or Fund Rules, or call us.
Good news for families
Selecting your excess
Australian residents can select an excess of up to $750 per person. For most family covers, you'll only pay twice the chosen level of excess per calendar year.
For Overseas Visitors, you can select a $500 excess or a $0 excess.
If you select a higher excess
If you select a lower excess
How do I select my excess?
Check your excess before you go
Before going to hospital, see if you have an excess for your policy, and make sure you factor it in as an upfront cost that you’ll need to pay before your treatment.
Check your excess in your nib account, refer to your Policy Booklet or Fund Rules for more information, or call us.