Question 1

Is Comparify really free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes — completely free for you. We're paid a commission by the fund only if you take out a policy. Our advice isn't influenced by which fund pays more, and we never mark up your premium.

Question 2

Will switching reset my waiting periods?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. Under Australian law you can transfer between funds and carry over equivalent waiting periods you've already served. Your advisor will flag any exceptions before you switch.

Question 3

How does the Australian Government Rebate work?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your income tier and age, the government may rebate 8–32% of your premium. We apply your rebate automatically so the price you see is the price you pay.

Question 4

Do I really get the same price as going direct?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We never mark up premiums — the price you'd pay the fund is the price you'll pay through Comparify, with an advisor included at no extra cost.

Question 5

How does health insurance work?

Accepted Answer

Private health insurance comes in two main types: hospital cover and extras cover (also called general treatment cover). You can buy them separately or as a combined policy. In some states, ambulance cover is a third option — though it's often bundled into hospital or extras cover. Because private health insurance isn't risk-rated, funds can't refuse to insure any eligible person, and must charge everyone the same base premium for the same level of cover. To balance this, most treatments carry a waiting period — served when you take out a new policy, or when you upgrade to include services you weren't previously covered for. The government caps hospital waiting periods at: 12 months for pre-existing conditions; 12 months for obstetrics and IVF; 2 months for psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care (even for a pre-existing condition); and 2 months for everything else. Extras waiting periods are set by each fund and vary by treatment and level of cover. If you switch to a new fund at the same level of cover, any waiting period you've already served usually carries over. To claim a benefit, you need a policy that covers your treatment and you must have served the waiting period. Some hospitals and clinics apply your benefit automatically when they scan your membership card; otherwise you pay upfront and claim it back from your fund.

Question 6

What is excess and 'the gap'?

Accepted Answer

Excess is an amount you agree to pay toward hospital treatment when you're admitted. Much like car insurance, you can often choose a higher excess to lower your premium. Depending on your policy, you'll pay it either once a year or each time you're admitted. When you're admitted to hospital, Medicare covers 75% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for your treatment. With the right policy and your waiting period served, your fund covers the remaining 25%. The government sets MBS fees but not what doctors actually charge. When a doctor charges above the MBS fee, the difference is known as 'the gap'. Extra costs can also apply for things like drugs, dressings and diagnostic tests. Some funds offer gap cover — agreements with certain doctors that reduce or remove the gap altogether.

Question 7

What does private health insurance cover that Medicare doesn't?

Accepted Answer

Hospital cover: Medicare pays 75% of the MBS fee. Depending on your level of cover, your fund may cover the rest — including the remaining 25% of the MBS fee, hospital accommodation, theatre fees, intensive care, drugs, dressings and consumables, surgically implanted prostheses, diagnostic tests, pharmaceuticals, and any doctor's fees above the MBS fee (where gap cover applies). Extras cover: Medicare benefits are very limited outside your GP's scope. Medicare generally doesn't cover most dental, glasses and contact lenses, hearing aids and appliances, ambulance services, services in the private system, or services not on the MBS. If a prescription isn't listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Medicare won't contribute — but your extras cover may pay part of the cost. As a private patient you also get choice of doctor, choice of agreement hospital, flexibility over appointment times, and the ability to skip public waiting lists (once you've served any waiting periods). In the public system, your hospital, doctor and appointment times are generally determined for you.

Question 8

Does Medicare cover ambulances?

Accepted Answer

No — Medicare doesn't cover ambulance services, and cover varies by state. STATE COVER ACT Free emergency cover if you hold a Health Care Concession Card or Full Aged Pensioner Concession Card; otherwise buy private cover. NSW Some free transport if you hold a Health Care, Pensioner Concession, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card. NT Free transport if you hold a Health Care Card or NT Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card; otherwise buy cover. QLD Covered by the state government for all residents. SA Buy cover from a fund or the state ambulance service. TAS Usually covered by the state government. VIC Free clinically necessary transport if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card; otherwise buy cover. WA Free medically necessary transport if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card; otherwise buy cover. Veteran Gold Card and White Card holders may be eligible for free emergency ambulance services Australia-wide, and some non-emergency services too. Keep in mind cover may not apply when you travel interstate — check with your state ambulance service, concession card provider or fund before you travel.

Question 9

Do pensioners need private health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Many Australians look to cut costs in retirement, and private health insurance can be one of the first things to go — especially for those who've stayed healthy and rarely claimed. But your senior years can be when you need it most: the older you are, the more likely you are to need treatment, and while the public system is available, it can mean long waits depending on your condition and location. If you go to a private hospital without cover, Medicare still pays 75% of the MBS fee, but you'll cover the remaining 25% plus other potential charges. With cover, you can skip public waiting lists, choose your own doctor, and — depending on your policy — access a range of preventative treatments. Australians over 65 also receive a higher government rebate, which increases again at 70.

Question 10

Do you get paid to recommend certain products?

Accepted Answer

No. No fund pays us to recommend its policies or to rank them higher, and we don't feature sponsored or promoted policies. Policies are recommended on how well they match your needs. Comparify is paid a commission by the fund when you take out a policy. Commission rates differ between funds, but our advisors don't see what each fund pays, so it plays no part in what they recommend. See How we get paid.

Question 11

How does Comparify make money?

Accepted Answer

Our service is free for you. We receive a fee from providers when you purchase through us, but you'll pay the same price you would going to the provider directly for the same policy. No hidden fees, no surprise costs.

Question 12

What if Comparify doesn't do as promised?

Accepted Answer

We're committed to delivering what we say. If something goes wrong, we want to know so we can make it right. We monitor our team's performance closely and use your feedback to keep improving how we work.

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