Maximise your health insurance benefits
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 will keep you protected.
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.
This means that dentists, physios and optical providers 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.
Want to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses altogether? Eligible members can access No Gap offers on dental, physio, and optical services. This means more money back in your pocket while still getting the essential health services you need.
Get 100% back on preventative dental check-ups with participating dentists. Visit the No Gap dental page for a full list of inclusions4.
Visit an nib First Choice physio provider and get 100% back on your initial consultation5.
Through our partnerships with well-known optical brands, you can get access exclusive No Gap and discounted optical packages6.
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 Gap7 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 network7.
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 free 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 a free online skin check.
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
Living with a chronic condition can feel overwhelming at times, but you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why we’ve teamed up with trusted providers to offer Health Management programs designed to support eligible nib members at no extra cost.8 Whether you’re managing heart health, diabetes, weight, or other ongoing conditions, these programs are here to help you live your best life.
You’ll get:
Tailored guidance to complement your doctor’s advice
Flexible treatment options that fit your lifestyle
Clear, helpful information to better understand your condition
Professional support and resources to help you manage your health from home
With the right support, you can focus on improving your quality of life and reducing the likelihood of hospital visits, all while feeling more in control of your health journey.
Free health support through nib foundation partners
Your nib membership connects you to free resources from our nib foundation partners to support your health and wellbeing. Take the No Money No Time Healthy Eating Quiz for a personalised report on your eating habits, plus budget-friendly recipe ideas from dietitians. Need extra support with your mental health? Lifeline’s Support Toolkit offers easy-to-use tools and resources for managing your mental health or supporting someone else, all in your own time.
If you or someone you know needs help please call:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Explore our partnerships for more support.
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, opens in a new tab to your plate, our member rewards will help you get there – and save you money along the way9.
Enjoy discounts when you shop at our retail partners.
See the latest blockbuster with exclusive deals on movie tickets and other entertainment.
Fuel your body with a range of offers for restaurants, cafes, food delivery and groceries.
Save on gym visits 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 or fitness trackers and wearables. You’ll also find discounts on eGift cards for supermarkets, so you can save as you load up your basket with fresh, healthy foods.
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 reduce or eliminate your ‘gap’ through our MediGap network. When our network of doctors, anaesthetists and specialists choose to participate in MediGap, they agree to charge either a No Gap or a Known Gap of up to $500, helping to reduce your out of pocket expenses and giving you more cost certainty.7
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 present for treatment within 72 hours, you’ll receive benefits in line with our top hospital cover for the following 90 days10.
Most of our health insurance covers include unlimited emergency ambulance11.
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.
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.
4Payment by nib of dental benefits is subject to serving relevant waiting periods, annual limits and service limits. Check your cover by visiting your member account or call 13 16 42. The dental check-up covers an examination or consultation (011 to 015), diagnostics (022, 037) scale and clean (114, 115) or removal of plaque (111), fluoride treatment (121) as deemed necessary and appropriate in the clinical opinion of the dentist (dentures not included). The services provided will be deducted from your annual limits and/or service limits. The No Gap offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or government scheme, nor substitutable or redeemable for cash and is only available with dentists who have a No Gap First Choice Network provider agreement with nib.
5100% refers to 100% of the First Choice agreed rate. This No Gap offer is only available for an in-person initial consultation (item 500) which refers to the first session provided by the practitioner in respect of an injury, or the first session in a new episode of care for the same injury. This excludes follow-up consultations, long consultations, telehealth consultations and group classes. Payment by nib of physio benefits is subject to waiting periods, annual limits and service limits. nib Fund Rules and Policy booklet terms apply. Check your cover by visiting your member account or call 13 16 42. The services provided will be deducted from your annual limits and/or service limits. It cannot be substituted or redeemed for cash.
6Claiming 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.
7When 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.
8Available 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.
9T&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 the nib Rewards page.
10Includes 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.
111 day waiting period 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 SA and QLD; or (iii) pension and health care card holders who have ambulance services provided by State ambulance schemes (check entitlements with Centrelink if unsure).