What is health insurance for couples?
Health insurance for couples is one policy that covers two adults, typically taken out by married or de facto couples. This type of insurance typically gives you and your partner the same level of coverage for the same treatments and procedures.
What does health insurance for couples cover?
Couples health insurance can include hospital cover, hospital and extras cover, or extras only, depending on your choice of policy.
There are also different levels of cover to suit your needs. For hospital cover, policy tiers range from Basic cover through to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. For extras cover, the categories are not as clearly defined, but most providers offer a range of different levels of extras cover, with varying inclusions and exclusions for each.
It’s important to carefully compare the level of cover to you and your partner’s needs. For example, a young couple would likely need different cover to a couple planning a family, or a mature couple who may need cover for conditions that can arise with age.
How much does couples health insurance cost?
Couples health insurance usually costs around the same as two single policies.
We’ve calculated the average annual premiums for couples at different life stages. This is based on the policies on our database as at the date indicated below.
Average annual health insurance premiums for couples
Ratings | Hospital | Hospital | Tier 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Young | $4,081 | $5,427 | $1,543 |
Established | $5,162 | $6,382 | $1,543 |
Mature | $5,587 | $6,843 | $1,468 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 20/11/2025. Based on health insurance policies on Canstar’s database. OSHC, visitor and corporate policies, as well as policies from restricted funds, are excluded. The Australian Government Private Health Insurance Rebate, Tier 1 for under 65s, of 16.192% has been applied to premiums, with the Tier 1 for 65-69 Rebate of 20.240% used for the Matures profile. Average premiums based on state averages weighted by proportion of insured population (APRA Quarterly Private Health Insurance). Ratings profiles based on those used in Canstar's Health Insurance Star Ratings, refer to the methodology for more information. *Hospital & Extras average based on the Tier 1 Extras profile.
What are the potential benefits of couples health insurance?
Health insurance for couples can offer a few practical (and often financial) advantages for partners who want to manage their cover together.
Some of the potential benefits include:
- One premium, one account, fewer admin headaches: Instead of juggling two separate policies, you’ll only need to keep track of a single premium and a single membership. That can make managing payments, claims, waiting periods and annual reviews simpler.
- You may be eligible for a higher private health insurance rebate: The government's health insurance rebate is income-tested, and when you’re on a couples policy, your combined income is applied to the threshold. Depending on your household income, this could mean a higher rebate than you’d receive on two separate singles policies.
- It may be more cost-effective than two singles policies: In some cases, a couples policy can work out cheaper than paying for two separate singles policies with similar inclusions. It’s always worth comparing, but bundling your cover can sometimes deliver better value.
- It can simplify switching in the future: If you decide to change funds or upgrade your cover later, moving as a couple can be more straightforward than managing two individual transfers.
How about the possible drawbacks of couples health insurance?
If you and your partner have different health insurance needs or want to be covered for different treatments, you could end up paying more than you would for two separate singles policies that better suit your individual needs.. As an alternative, you could consider getting two separate singles policies that suit your individual needs.
If you divorce, separate, or otherwise end the relationship, you would likely need to end your couples policy and each find new insurance to remain covered.
How to compare health insurance for couples
Compare your options with us and get a personalised health insurance quote based on your healthcare needs.
You may also want to check out the national and state and territory award-winning providers of hospital and extras policies in Canstar’s latest Health Insurance Star Ratings and Awards and which provider had the most satisfied customers according to Canstar’s annual survey.
Health insurance for young couples
Some young couples may feel a more basic level of hospital cover is enough to suit their budget, plus extras cover for benefits such as optical and dental.
To keep the cost of your health insurance down, you could think about choosing a policy that only covers what you need at this life stage. For example, if you’re in good health, you’re less likely to need cover for cataracts or joint replacements. Similarly, you may not need pregnancy cover if you don’t plan to have children soon.
Young couples who are into fitness may appreciate that some health funds also offer discounts on gym memberships with participating gyms. Alternatively, you might want to consider a policy that includes physio as an extra option if you lead an active lifestyle.
Health insurance for couples planning a family
Couples wanting to have children in the near future may want to consider cover that includes pregnancy and birth services. All Gold tier hospital policies must include pregnancy and birth cover, as well as assisted reproductive services such as IVF. You may also be interested in extras cover that includes antenatal and postnatal services.
Health funds usually have a 12-month waiting period before they allow you to claim benefits for obstetrics (pregnancy and birth related services).
It’s worth reviewing a family health insurance policy if you wish your child can be covered from birth. Some health funds let you add your newborns to your policy at no extra premium, until the next renewal. It’s a good idea to talk to your insurer to see what impact adding any kids will have on your policy and premium.
Health insurance for established and mature couples
If you’re an established or mature-aged couple with no dependant children, you may benefit from having a higher level of hospital cover and a wide range of extras, as we tend to need more comprehensive healthcare as we age. While specific seniors health insurance products don't usually exist, seniors may also benefit from more comprehensive policies. This will ultimately depend on your circumstances and healthcare needs though.
