What is extras cover?

“Extras” is used to describe a range of health services and items that are generally provided outside the hospital system – things like physiotherapy, dental and optical items. With benefits towards many of these things, extras cover can help you take better care of your everyday wellbeing.

The best thing about extras cover is you can get value from these services even if you’re already pretty healthy. That means you can take a proactive approach to your health and wellbeing with regular check-ups and treatments, so you can try to prevent problems before they happen, and feel even better every day.

For most extras services, there is generally no contribution from Medicare – so having private health insurance is a really helpful way to cover some of the costs. (Note that if Medicare does pay a rebate, we can’t pay an additional benefit towards the claim.)

Here are just a handful of the ways Medibank’s current range of extras covers* could benefit you.

Do you wear glasses?

If you join Medibank Extras cover, you can get 100% back on most optical items (up to your annual limit) at thousands of recognised providers across Australia. This includes frames, prescription lenses and contacts.^ (Note that on some covers, fixed benefits and sub-limits apply.)

Do you lead an active lifestyle?

Get help with the cost of preventing and treating any injuries, aches and pains and keep your body in top condition. Most of our current extras covers pay benefits towards physio, chiro and osteo.

Feeling stiff and sore?

Medibank Extras cover can also take the edge off the cost of remedial massage when delivered by a recognised provider.

Want a sparkling smile? Medibank members with extras cover for 2 months or more can get 100% back on up to two dental check-ups every year, including x-rays, at any Members’ Choice Advantage dentist.^

What should I consider when choosing extras cover?

The first step to choosing the right extras cover is understanding what you need and what’s important to you. Do you wear glasses? Like keeping active? Have kids? Or plan on having a family?

Think about which services you’ll require flexibility on. If you’re likely to need major dental work such as getting braces or a root canal you may want a more comprehensive level of cover.

Consider how much you want to claim back on the services you’ll use most. Take your time to read over your options to find the cover that suits your needs or your family’s needs.

Using your extras: A few things you need to know

Taking out extras cover can be a great way to help manage some of your health bills.

It's important to know that you need to serve waiting periods before you can claim on extras services under your cover. Also, the amount you can claim is capped by annual limits (or in the case of orthodontics, over a lifetime limit). See your Cover Summary for more information.

If you have one of our current extras covers*, it can be worth visiting providers that are in our large Members’ Choice network. At these health providers, we’ve negotiated great deals for Medibank members, including capped pricing and set percentage return for certain services, so you’ll generally have lower out-of-pocket costs than you would if you used a provider outside our network.

Do you have the extras cover you need? Or do you need help understanding anything about your cover? Give us a call on 132 331 to find out more.

*This article contains product information about Medibank’s current extras covers: Healthy Start Extras, Essential Extras 55, Essential Extras 70, Growing Families Extras Only, Top Extras, Medibank Basic Everyday Starter, Medibank Basic Plus Everyday Essentials, Medibank Bronze Plus Growing Family, Medibank Silver Plus Families, Medibank Silver Plus Growing Family, Silver Plus Everyday Comprehensive, Medibank Gold Growing Family, Medibank Silver Plus Assured with Top Extras 70, Medibank Silver Plus Security with Top Extras 70, Security Comprehensive and Medibank Gold Ultra Health. If you are on a different extras cover, this information may not apply to you. Waiting periods apply include 12 months for some dental services.

^Limited to two dental check-ups on all extras annually. Maximum two bitewing x-rays per check-up, where clinically needed. Not available in all areas.