How to get the most out of your nib health cover

The shortcuts you need to get the most out of your cover

23 November 2022 6 minute read

Young blonde women wearing an orange and blue jacket checking her phone at the train station

When it comes to things Aussies like doing in their spare time, research tells us that all the usual activities top the list: eating at cafes, doing exercise, hanging with friends and playing video games. It should come as no surprise that managing private health cover wasn’t on the list and although health insurance might not be your favourite topic of conversation, knowing how to get the most out of your cover is one of ours.

At nib, we consider ourselves your partner – in sickness and in health – giving you shortcuts to keeping you at your healthiest and helping guide you through the health system when you need it.

So, to make sure you’re getting the most out of your cover, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks.

Ensure you're on the right plan for yourself or your family

Just like any insurance, your health insurance needs will likely change as you get older which is why we recommend taking a look at your policy and its inclusions each year. Some of the things to consider are:

Whether you’re thinking about starting a family
How old your <not so little> children are
Whether you’re turning 31
Whether you’re claiming benefits on physio, dental and optical appointments.

For more information on reviewing your cover, check out our article, when to review & update your health insurance cover

Know what you're covered for when it comes to health insurance

The easiest way to check exactly what you’re covered for is to log into your member account or the nib App. However, to help clarify some of the basics, let’s break down the cover options.

nib Hospital cover: Just like its name, nib Hospital cover helps cover your costs should you need to visit hospital. Before heading to hospital, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve checked your policy to see if it includes the treatment you require, and whether any waiting periods apply. Then head to nib's Going to Hospital page to find out your options and search for one of our many nib Agreement Hospitals to limit the out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay.
nib Extras covers: This cover aims to give benefits for those regular healthcare appointments you book to keep you at your healthiest. Although all of our Extras covers include general dental and physio, some of our premium options include psychology, dietary advice and chiro. Annual limits and waiting periods apply.

Having nib Hospital cover means if you do need to go to hospital, we’ll be there to guide you through your entire journey – from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Not only can we provide you with ways to reduce (or eliminate!) your out-of-pockets with access to our MediGap specialists and nib Agreement Hospitals, but we can give you options – including the ability to take part in our Health Management programs at no extra costs to eligible members¹.

A couple in their 60s having dinner with friend by the harbour in the summertime.

How to get the most out of your Extras cover

The first thing we encourage all our members to do is book in for all those health checks you’ve been putting off. At nib, we offer cover for dental, optical, physio, acupuncture, chiro and dietary advice, so start to prioritise your health. If you’re ready to book, but not sure where to start, the nib First Choice network should be your first port of call. It’s our community of specially-selected health providers who have agreed to provide nib members with quality healthcare at an affordable price.

Understand how limits work and when they reset

At nib, we keep it simple – resetting your annual limits each year on January 1. Your annual limit is the maximum you can claim back on extras (like dental and optical) and the higher your level of cover, the higher the limits. The good news is that these limits reset every year, so you can start fresh in the new year and rebook all those regular appointments you might’ve put off. To find out more, head to our article: When do private health insurance annual limits reset?

Understand the tools nib has available to help

We offer a range of activewear discounts saving our members up to 20%². We’ve partnered with online sports and performance wear sites including New Balance and Rebel Sport – so if you’ve ever needed some extra motivation to hit the gym, this is it. Log in to the nib Rewards page for your discounts and get shopping.

nib also gives you access to a range of exclusive recipes developed by nutritionists and dietitians all published right here on The Check Up. And, to encourage you to eat healthier, we offer discounts off Coles and Woolworths e-gift cards. Go ahead and visit nib Rewards for more information.

Reduce out-of-pocket expenses by being proactive about your health

When it comes to looking after your health, it’s so important to us that you have access to affordable providers. That’s why we have the nib First Choice network, our community of specially selected health providers who’ve agreed to provide nib members with quality healthcare, great customer service and value for money. Not only does this network include dentists and optometrists, but it also includes physiotherapists⁴!

And, when you do need to go to hospital, you’ll have access to our Clinical Partners program⁵. This program is a network of experienced orthopaedic surgeons who have committed to performing hip and knee joint replacement surgery at participating hospitals with no out of pocket expenses. The Clinical Partners program is currently available in most locations across Australia. You can search our network of Clinical Partners to find one closest to you. You'll only have to pay your hospital excess. Check out our article, Planning a hip or knee replacement? How nib’s Clinical Partners program can help for more information.

If you ever need extra support and want to chat, you can always get in touch with one of our experts to help give you advice on your health cover or discuss your options when it comes to going to hospital. Call nib on 13 16 42 or use our online chat

¹Available to nib members who’ve held Hospital Cover with nib for at least 12 months. Additional eligibility criteria apply to individual programs.

²T&Cs apply. Some offers may vary or be available for a limited time. 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 Rewards page.

⁴nib First Choice providers offer competitive fees for many commonly claimed treatments and consultations. These are reviewed at least annually and are subject to change. Always check nib.com.au/find-a-provider or the nib App before booking to ensure 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, waiting periods and T&Cs apply.

⁵Available to members with hospital cover that covers joint replacement surgery who have served applicable waiting period.