Switching Health Insurance

SinghOz on 05/10/2025 - 17:36

I’ve been with Bupa for quite a while now, but I'm considering switching providers because they haven’t reduced my premium as requested. I’ve received a more competitive offer that includes 6 weeks free and a lower premium.

The best Bupa could offer me as a retention incentive was a 12% discount, which is still more expensive than the alternative—and it doesn't include any weeks free.

Questions:

Should I use my optical benefit before switching? I’m thinking of making the switch in about a week. Would Bupa charge me if I used the benefit and then switched shortly after?

With the new provider, I’m not planning to include optical as an extra.

Health & Beauty Health Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • tenpercent on 05/10/2025 - 17:39
    +2

    Use it or lose it.

    • SinghOz on 05/10/2025 - 18:05

      Thanks

  • flagger on 05/10/2025 - 17:48

    Yes as above use it before switching as you are not continuing with extras. No, bupa will not charge you after switching.

    If you did continue with extras, the old provider will provide a transfer certificate and the used amounts will be transferred to the new cover.

    • SinghOz on 05/10/2025 - 18:05

      Thanks

    • tenpercent on 05/10/2025 - 19:29
      +1

      If you do decide to get extras with the next policy, you don't have to provide the transfer certificate, but you may be required to re-serve waiting periods (if they have any) if you don't provide it.

      Depending on how much of your extras you have used up and when the policy limits renew (1 Jan or 1 July, usually) and the waiting periods your new policy has, it may be more beneficial to just re-serve the waiting periods to be able to access additional extras limit.

      • SinghOz on 05/10/2025 - 22:42

        Can we restrict the future providers from not taking transfer certificate, as new provider said they will arrange that themselves from existing policy provider

        • 12Sydney34 on 06/10/2025 - 09:29
          +1

          When you sign up to new provider, you don’t need to say that you are transferring. Sign up as new customer.
          Just make sure that you don’t have any days gap in coverage.

  • hazzad on 06/10/2025 - 07:50

    If you are continuing same cover then yes def use it. Otherwise benefits will transfer over if continuing same level of cover

  • tabitha731 on 06/10/2025 - 10:03

    Anything you have claimed with one provider for that year claimed gets carried to your new provider, you don’t get the option of claiming for the same thing twice over 2 different insurers

    • tenpercent on 06/10/2025 - 10:47

      you don’t get the option of claiming for the same thing twice over 2 different insurers

      You can access a new limit if you don't give the new insurer the transfer certificate. You'll just have to re-serve any applicable waiting periods with the new insurer, but they often have no wait period offers.

  • petestrash on 06/10/2025 - 10:15

    There are actually lots of weird laws regarding discounting health insurance premiums, and there is a maximum they are allowed to discount off their prices.

    This is why they advertise freebies like no waiting periods or x days free to entice people.

    One of the Acts can be found here
    https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00031/asmade/text

    But yes, use any benefits now if you are reducing your cover when switching.

    Get a clearance certificate from your existing provider, this will detail all waiting periods currently served and any allowances already used.

    • SinghOz on 06/10/2025 - 15:05

      Thanks guys I have claimed the optical, will make the switch soon in a week or so. Also with new provider I have reduced extras and removed optical.

    • YesPleaseThankYou on 06/10/2025 - 20:38
      +1

      Nice random and outdated link 😏

      I have previous posted in other threads about the maximum discount rule. 12% per annum is the maximum discount that can be offered by law. See clause 6 in Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015:

      (1) For subparagraph 66‑5(1)(c)(ii) of the Act, the maximum percentage discount allowed is 12% per annum.

  • Drakesy on 06/10/2025 - 13:51

    Nah churn and burn.

    6-10 week offers are abundant.

  • Benoffie on 06/10/2025 - 17:45

    Do you need to use it?

    Do you even need extras?

    We just dumped HCF for Teachers. HCF refused to budge on pricing.

    Also recommend Police. Parents left Bupa for them.

    • SinghOz on 06/10/2025 - 18:15

      Have really not used extra except prescription sunglasses..so wanted to cut down on extras and also premium I am paying BUPA is not willing to lower premium and no 6 weeks free also (they say either take 12% retention or 6 weeks free ) which is still higher than premium from what new provider offers

      • Benoffie on 06/10/2025 - 20:13

        Well, Teachers and Police Gold are around $390 pm family no extras (in SA), for comparison. Police dont do excess, Teachers is variable (we took $500 and got it down to $351?)

        Anyway, shop around. The comparison sites are terrible.

  • YesPleaseThankYou on 06/10/2025 - 17:59

    You haven't mentioned whether you also have a hospital policy.

    If you do, and you withhold your previous fund's transfer certificate, you will need to re-serve waiting periods.

    Good luck if you become ill and need to go to hospital!

    • SinghOz on 06/10/2025 - 18:13

      I have hospital and extra currently

      • YesPleaseThankYou on 06/10/2025 - 20:40

        If …

        … you withhold your previous fund's transfer certificate, you will need to re-serve waiting periods.

        Good luck if you become ill and need to go to hospital!

  • pc007 on 06/10/2025 - 23:42

    Who is the new provider?

    • SinghOz on 07/10/2025 - 07:21
      +1

      Ahm

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