Is it OK for two people (husband & wife) to take out separate hospital health insurance ? My wife wants to take out the highest
level of cover but I only want a "junk" singles policy to avoid paying the medicare surcharge. Am happy to get the advice of the community but would also like someone at ATO to advise.
Many thanks.
Hi @Frank_B
You can have separate policies, sure!
The only requirement for Medicare levy surcharge purposes is that you and all your dependents must have an appropriate level of cover. Make sure your policy meets this, or you'll both still be liable for Medicare levy surcharge, even if you had some level of cover.
You can read more about what an appropriate level of cover is on our website.
Hi @Frank_B
You can have separate policies, sure!
The only requirement for Medicare levy surcharge purposes is that you and all your dependents must have an appropriate level of cover. Make sure your policy meets this, or you'll both still be liable for Medicare levy surcharge, even if you had some level of cover.
You can read more about what an appropriate level of cover is on our website.
Hi @Frank_B,
It's all about private hospital cover, not extras.
To sum up the details on the link provided earlier:
Your children are considered your dependents if they are:
You can read more about what an appropriate level of cover is and what Family and dependants for Medicare levy surcharge purposes are on our website. You can find a list of Registered health insurers on the Private Health website.
Hi Blake...apart from the excess minimums, what makes a policy acceptable. Many junk policies exclude almost everything? Are they acceptable? Also, I have adult children (all 18+). One lives at home. I don't consider them as dependants. Are they ?
Hi Blake..who mentioned extras ? I was only ever asking about Hospital cover. By junk policies I meant ones that basically
exclude almost everything that most Hospital policies cover. Anyway, I'm good now. No need to reply. Cheers
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