Maximise your health insurance benefits
Get the most bang for your buck from your health cover.
Your health insurance can be a valuable tool in managing your health and accessing quality healthcare services. But getting the most out of your cover means going beyond paying your premiums and lodging claims.
At nib, we know that every healthcare dollar counts and we’re passionate about helping you get the most bang for your buck, no matter what type of cover you have. From paying less on your premiums to accessing free health tools and saving money on groceries, find out how to maximise your health insurance benefits at every stage of life.
Make sure you’re taking advantage of health insurance discounts
Who doesn’t love the feeling of scoring a great deal? We offer a range of discounts on our premiums, so you can get more for even less.
Save 4% on your premiums simply by paying by direct debit from your bank account. You can change the way you pay in easily through your member account or the nib App. Find out how to unlock your 4% direct debit discount.
If you’re aged between 18 and 29, you can receive a discount of up to 10% on private hospital cover, known as the age-based discount1. As long as you remain on eligible hospital cover, you’ll keep this discount until you turn 41. So if you’re under 30 right now, don’t sleep on this great discount.
Get 10% off 2 an nib travel insurance plan and protect your wellbeing while you’re away. Going on an adventure? Make sure your travel insurance is right for your needs.
Before you keep reading for ways to save and make the most of your health insurance, ensure you’re familiar with some commonly used health insurance terms.
Reduce your out-of-pocket expenses
Now you’re paying less on your premiums, find out where you can save on healthcare appointments and out-of-pocket expenses. Through our nationwide nib First Choice network3, you have access to thousands of leading healthcare professionals who provide agreed rates and other offers for nib members.
Dentists and physios in the First Choice network generally charge fees lower than what they might charge other private health insurance patients, while still maintaining the same quality of care.
Through our partnerships with well-known optical brands, nib also offers exclusive No Gap and discounted optical packages to members4.
Read more about how the nib First Choice network can save you money.
How can I reduce my hospital expenses?
We also have special agreements with many hospitals, to help you pay less out-of-pocket for certain procedures. These include:
No Gap5 hip and knee replacements with an orthopaedic surgeon in our nib Clinical Partners program.
A guaranteed No Gap or Known Gap up to $500 for anaesthetic services with an anaesthetist who is part of our GapSure network.
Limited out-of-pocket costs for cardiology with a cardiologist who is part of our trusted GapSure network5.
These services can be accessed if the procedure or treatment is included in your policy and you've served any waiting periods. You’ll still pay your hospital excess, if you have one. Read the full details in our article nib No Gap & Known Gap specialist partners for hospital procedures.
Head to our free Find a Provider tool to search for a healthcare professional near you.
Utilise free health and wellbeing tools
With so much health information out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn and who to trust. Our exclusive suite of free tools for members helps you look after your health and wellbeing.
For a comprehensive overview of your health, complete the online Health Check and receive personalised health insights and recommendations. You can also dig deeper into your skin health, check your risk of skin cancer and learn the correct way to do a skin check at home with the online Skin Assessment tool.
Not feeling well? Check your symptoms with nib Symptom Checker and get guidance on when to seek medical attention based on the seriousness of your symptoms.
Find everything you need and more to stay your healthiest on the Healthy Living page.
Manage your health for free
To help you live your healthiest life, we’ve partnered with top-notch providers on a range of Health Management programs to help you manage heart health, weight, mental health concerns, diabetes and more. The best part? These are all available at no additional cost for eligible nib members6.
Save on shopping with rewards
Whether your health goal is to walk for 20 minutes a day or run a half-marathon, eat more protein or add more veggies to your plate, our member rewards will help you get there – and save you money along the way7.
Enjoy up to 20% off when you shop at our retail partners.
Enjoy up to 60% off movie tickets and other entertainment.
Fuel your body with up to 15% off a range of offers for restaurants, cafes, food delivery and groceries.
Save on gym visits, yoga, pilates and get great deals on running gear and active wear to help you look the part.
Log into the Member Rewards section of your member account, or the nib App, for big discounts on activewear at New Balance and Amazon, or fitness trackers and wearables at Garmin and JB Hi-Fi. You’ll also find discounts on e-gift cards for supermarkets, so you can save as you load up your basket with fresh, healthy foods.
Related: “I only purchased things through nib rewards for a week.”
Feel confident going to hospital
A hospital stay can feel daunting but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Our Going to Hospital tool empowers you to feel more confident about the experience, from finding a specialist and choosing the right hospital, to learning the best questions to ask your specialist.
We also help minimise your out-of-pocket costs through our MediGap scheme. MediGap is our network of doctors, anaesthetists and specialists who’ve agreed to charge nib directly for their services, so you don’t pay an out-of-pocket hospital expense5.
Going to hospital? Here’s why you should contact nib first.
Know you’re covered in an emergency
While you can’t exactly plan for an accident or emergency, nib helps you feel prepared with Accidental Injury Benefit. If you have an accident and seek treatment within 72 hours, you’ll receive benefits in line with our top hospital cover for the following 90 days8.
Most of our health insurance covers include unlimited emergency ambulance9.
Make your health insurance work for you
Health insurance should fit your changing health and lifestyle needs, so it’s important to review your health insurance cover regularly, to make sure it’s keeping up. And if your circumstances have changed – for example, you’re planning to start a family, or your healthcare needs have increased – a health insurance cover review is definitely worthwhile.
At nib, we offer a range of options for hospital, extras and combined covers, as well as the opportunity to increase your insurance excess to help you save on your monthly premium. If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck on health insurance, staying on top of what you’re covered for is a great place to start.
Unsure where to start? Log in to your member account or the nib App to check what you’re covered for.
A guide to seniors health care cards in Australia
Seniors health care cards can help offset some of your healthcare costs.
Changing your excess: How to reduce the cost of your health insurance premium
More options when it comes to your maximum excess limits
Private vs Public Health Insurance: A tale of two medical emergencies
Private vs public: two very different hospital experiences.
A guide to seniors health care cards in Australia
Seniors health care cards can help offset some of your healthcare costs.
Changing your excess: How to reduce the cost of your health insurance premium
More options when it comes to your maximum excess limits
Private vs Public Health Insurance: A tale of two medical emergencies
Private vs public: two very different hospital experiences.
1Eligible members must be aged 18-29 and not a dependant under the policy. Discount calculated at 2% for each year an eligible member is aged under 30, to a maximum of 10% for 18 to 25 year olds. Not available to dependents on the Policy. If you have a partner on the Policy, the total discount will be an average of your individual age-based discount. Discount applies until age 41, and reduces by 2% per year until removed. Visit the website for more detail.
2The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, an Overseas Student Health Cover product or an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product with nib. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.
3nib First Choice providers (i.e. our network) offer competitive fees for many commonly claimed treatments and consultations. These fees are reviewed at least annually and are subject to change. Always check nib.com.au/health-services/find-a-provider before booking to see if your provider participates or simply ask your provider if they are part of nib’s network at the time of booking. Providers occasionally leave the nib First Choice network so it’s important to check before booking to avoid disappointment. Annual limits and T&Cs apply.
4Claiming optical benefits is subject to your chosen level of Extras cover, relevant waiting periods being served, and sufficient annual limits remaining. Benefits only payable on prescription Optical Appliances. nib Fund Rules and Policy booklet terms apply. Stock and brands are subject to availability and may vary from store to store. Lens upgrades such as tinting, coating or hardening of lenses not included unless specified. Not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount, unless specified. Present your valid health fund card in store to redeem these offers. Offer available to eligible members of nib and health insurance brands underwritten by nib. Offers are not redeemable for cash.
5When a specialist chooses to participate in MediGap for your procedure they agree not to charge a gap fee (also known as an out-of-pocket expense) for their services. Cover depends on level of cover, policy exclusions, waiting periods, hospital excess and limits and whether you go to an nib Agreement Hospital, a non-agreement private hospital or a public hospital. Out-of-pocket expenses may apply. For example, if your anaesthetist is not covered under nib’s GapSure, you will have to pay the gap fee. Find out more information on the website.
6Available to eligible nib members who’ve held Hospital Cover for 12 months and served their relevant waiting periods. Additional criteria vary according to each program. Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
7T&Cs apply. Some offers may vary or be available for a limited time. Payments for eGift cards made by debit/credit card incur a 1% processing fee. nib Rewards are available to new members after 30 days of active membership, provided premium payments are up to date. For more information on member rewards, visit https://www.nib.com.au/member-benefits/rewards.
8Includes admission to a private hospital, or as a private patient in a public hospital. Excludes consultations and treatments performed at an Emergency Department. T&Cs apply.
91 day waiting period for new policies applies. Not available to: (i) QLD residents who have ambulance services provided by their State ambulance schemes; (ii) TAS residents who are covered under state ambulance schemes in TAS and when travelling in mainland Australia except NSW, SA or QLD; or (iii) pension and health care card holders who have ambulance services provided by State ambulance schemes (check entitlements with Centrelink if unsure); or (iv) DentalPass members.