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Bupa Health Insurance Review

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Key topics

About Bupa health insurance

Bupa Australia is part of the Bupa Group, which is an international healthcare company with over 29 million health insurance customers. In Australia, Bupa is best known as a health insurance provider, but it also offers a range of other insurance products, such as home, pet, car and travel insurance.


Bupa Health Insurance cover options

Bupa offers a range of different cover options to suit different needs:

  • Hospital cover: Customers can choose from Basic Accident Only, Basic Plus Starter Hospital, Bronze Plus Simple Hospital, Silver Plus Essential Hospital, Silver Plus Advanced Hospital and Gold Comprehensive Hospital policies.
  • Extras cover: Bupa has a range of options for extras, from its Extras Saver cover, which offers 50% back on general dental, through to its Top Extras, which offers rebates on a wide range of services, with high yearly limits.
  • Combined cover options: Customers can choose from all tiers of hospital cover combined with varying levels of extras cover, which can include cover for services such as dental, optical and more.
  • Ambulance cover: Customers can choose between Emergency Only or Premium Ambulance policies—which includes non-emergency trips capped at $5,000 a year. It’s important to keep in mind that in Queensland and Tasmania, residents can receive taxpayer-funded ambulance transportation from their respective state governments.

Can I get dental cover with Bupa?

All of Bupa’s extras policies include cover for general dental. How much you are covered for, how much you will get back when you make a claim and your annual limits will be determined by the extras policy you choose. For instance, Bupa’s basic Extras Saver cover offers 50% back on general dental procedures, while its Top Extras has cover for general and major dental, with 100% back on up to two 6-monthly check-ups and teeth cleans every year, outside your normal limits. 


Does Bupa’s health insurance cover physiotherapy?

Almost all of Bupa’s extras policies offer cover for physiotherapy, with the exception of its Extras Saver policy. How much you're covered for, how much you'll get back when you make a claim and your annual limits will be determined by the extras policy you choose.


Does Bupa offer family policies that cover adult children?

Yes, adult children (classified as student or non-student dependents) can remain on eligible Bupa family health policies until their 32nd birthday—depending on certain restrictions. The individual must be studying full time at a university, TAFE or other educational institution (apprenticeships excluded), must not be receiving income from an education provider and must not be married or living in a de facto relationship.


How do I lodge a claim with Bupa?

Once you’ve received medical treatment or made a purchase covered by your policy, the next step is to make a claim.

If you’re claiming on extras you’ll generally be able to claim on the spot if your healthcare provider uses the HICAPS system. This will process your claim automatically.

You can also make a claim by logging into the myBupa portal and following the prompts. You can also claim most extras services on the Bupa app. Contact Bupa or visit the Bupa website if you need assistance.


FAQs about Bupa health insurance

About our health insurance experts


Joshua Malin, Finance Writer

Joshua Malin

Josh Malin is a Finance Writer with the Canstar editorial team. Josh started his career in print media, featured in The Advertiser, The Sunday Mail and SA Weekend Magazine. Now, he works with Canstar to cover everything from utilities and streaming services to insurance and personal finance. Before joining Canstar, Josh worked in  the comparison industry where he wrote about health and life insurance. Josh has a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Professional Writing from Flinders University.

You can follow Josh through Linkedin.


Jessica Pridmore, Finance Editor

Jessica Pridmore

Jessica Pridmore is Canstar’s Finance Editor. With more than 12 years media industry experience, Jessica has worked across a range of fintech, travel and lifestyle publications in Australia and the UK. Her work has appeared in publications including Grazia UK, Time Out, WIRED, Great Barrier Reef FoundationRefinery29SuncorpUrban List and Tourism & Events Queensland. Before joining Canstar, Jessica was a Senior Communications Associate at Australian insurer Suncorp Group, covering topics from assisted relocation reform to ASX Full Year Results. Prior to this Jessica was Editor at independent media brand Urban List. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Advertising and Creative Writing from London’s Middlesex University. Away from the desk, Jessica loves outdoor adventures with her two-year old daughter, beach walks with her dogs, and finding the best ramen and dumplings in the city. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.