Private Health Insurance: Which is the right one for YOU?

Health Insurance and Physio treatment – Your Essential Guide

Health insurance is something our patients ask us about regularly. So to help you get a better handle on the topic, this month we’ve gone straight to the experts for advice – enlisting the team at healthslips.com.au

First things first, Physiotherapy falls under Extras Cover, which is the type of health cover for non-hospital treatments that aren’t covered by Medicare, including Dental care and Chiropractic. You can buy a standalone Extras policy to cover your Physio treatments, or you might choose to get a Combined Hospital and Extras Cover policy.

Here are all your top questions about health insurance and Physiotherapy, answered. If there’s anything you think we’ve missed, let us know by emailing us here

Is Extras Cover worth having?

The value of Extras Cover all depends on your budget and healthcare needs. If you visit Allied Health Professionals like us a few times a year or more, Extras Cover can be worthwhile. But if the only Extras treatment you use is visiting the dentist once or twice a year, it might work out cheaper just to pay for those services yourself.

One way to decide whether or not you need Extras Cover is to work out how much you’re likely to spend on Extras treatments a year, and compare that to how much an Extras policy costs. If you think you’ll spend more on Extras premiums than you would on appointments for healthcare such as Physio, Dentistry and optical care, Extras Cover may not be worth having.

How much does an Extras policy with Physio cover cost?

We used the healthslips.com.au Calculator to search for Extras Cover for one adult in NSW, and found more than 300 policies. Of the policies that included Physiotherapy, the cheapest was $16.15 per month, and the most expensive was $203.30 per month, with a significant difference in the amount you can claim back on Physio appointments (more on that below).

As you can see, there’s a massive range of prices available for Extras Cover, and using the healthslips.com.au Calculator means you don’t miss out on the best deal. It compares every policy from every insurer, with no commercial bias and free open access (so you don’t have to enter your contact details to get your results).

Calculations based on one adult, no dependants, NSW, Extras Cover, completed on 30 April 2025 at healthslips.com.au.

How much does health insurance give you back on Physio claims?

The amount you can claim on your Physio treatments depends on your level of cover. Lower levels of cover will generally have lower limits while top cover policies will allow you to claim higher amounts. In the above Extras Cover price comparison on healthslips.com.au for one adult in NSW, the cheapest policy gave back $24 to $27 per physio appointment, up to an annual limit of $390, while the most expensive was returning between $42.50 and $50.40 with an annual limit of $900. So it really pays to compare every policy from every insurer, and consider the other Extras treatments included.

The claim structure can be different, too. Some insurers cover a fixed amount per visit until you reach your annual limit, while others cover a certain percentage of your bill until you hit the limit.

What’s the best insurer for Physio cover?

Instead of the best insurer, it’s better to focus on the best policy – the one that meets your healthcare needs at the best price. There are hundreds and hundreds of Extras policies available in NSW alone and the amount of value they offer for Physiotherapy and other healthcare services is vastly different from one policy to the next, so it’s really important to shop around.

How can I find a cheaper Extras policy?

The easiest way to get a good-priced Extras Cover policy is by using a comparison website, but most of them only compare a small number of insurers and policies. Healthslips.com.au is different because it compares every policy available without commercial bias. It isn’t selling insurance and it offers free open access – which means you don’t have to enter your contact details to get results. Try the healthslips.com.au Calculator to find a new policy or compare your existing policy with other similar policies.

If you find a better deal and decide to switch policies, you don’t have to serve a waiting period if the new policy offers the same level of cover (check with your new insurer first).

Do my physio limits run to 30 June or 31 December?

The annual limit for Physio treatments on most Extras Cover policies resets at the end of the calendar year (i.e. 31st December) but some policies reset at the end of the financial year (30th June). In some cases, the annual limit resets on the anniversary of the date you started the policy. Your reset date depends on your policy – so make sure you check your insurer’s website or give them a call to confirm.

Tip: If your Extras Cover limits are resetting on 30 June, book in now to get those niggling health complaints sorted out at Physio Fitness.

Disclaimer:

The advice in this article is general only. Always seek personalised advice before making financial decisions.