Basic Plus Hospital

From
$18.97*

per week

*Price is for Single cover in NSW and includes an Australian Government Rebate of 24.608% with a 0% Lifetime Health Cover Loading.

Basic Plus Hospital is our affordable hospital cover with a handful of useful hospital services above and beyond the Basic minimum tier. This is the ultimate fit and healthy cover.

Join offer: Get 8 weeks free and 2 & 6 month waiting periods on Extras waived when you join on and maintain Hospital and Extras cover (Combination cover) with Peoplecare*. Terms and conditions apply

Switching is easy

Coming to us from another health fund? Switching is easy and simpler than you think. Join Peoplecare and we can cancel your existing cover for you. You won’t spend any time without cover that way.

Waiting periods transfer with you

Did you know that your waiting periods switch with you? If you’re transferring from another health fund, we’ll make sure we recognise any waiting periods you’ve already served if you switch within 30 days!

30-day cooling-off period

No worries if you change your mind: just let us know within 30 days of joining or upgrading your cover and you'll get a full refund of any premiums paid (as long as you haven't made any claims in that time, of course).

Did you know about the Peoplecare combined Hospital and Extras cover discount? Get a 10% discount off any Peoplecare Extras cover when combined with any Peoplecare Hospital cover.

* Prices quoted have been rounded within 10 cents.

Who is Basic Plus Hospital for?

This cover may suit:

  • young and healthy singles & someone coming off their parent's cover
  • young and healthy families who don’t want more kids and only need limited cover (you might want to consider Bronze Plus or Silver for more complete family options)
  • someone who only needs a low level of cover that includes Dental surgery
  • tax minimisation (this cover allows you to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you’re a high income earner)

Who shouldn’t get Basic Plus Hospital cover?

This cover doesn’t suit anyone who:

  • has health conditions or health risks
  • wants to use health cover for pregnancy or any other big-ticket service
  • needs hospital psychiatric services and rehabilitation which are restricted on this cover

Government Benefits of Basic Plus Hospital

Reasons to get this cover

  • Our generous ambulance cover included at no extra charge (read here for all about your ambulance cover)
  • Value hospital inclusions: Dental Surgery (things like wisdom tooth removal that are used in conjunction with extras cover benefits), Tonsils Adenoids and Grommets, Joint Reconstructions, Gynaecology, Miscarriage and Termination of Pregnancy
  • Affordable, low premium
  • Two excess options of $500 or $750 to reduce the cost of your premiums

 

What's included

Everything that you're covered for under Basic Plus Hospital

Hospital treatment of the tonsils, adenoids and insertion or removal of grommets.

Hospital treatment for surgery for joint reconstructions.

For example: torn tendons, rotator cuff tears and damaged ligaments.

Not in this category:

  • Joint replacements are listed separately under Joint replacements.
  • Bone fractures are listed separately under Bone, joint and muscle.
  • Procedures to the spinal column are listed separately under Back, neck and spine.
  • Podiatric surgery performed by a registered podiatric surgeon is listed separately under Podiatric surgery (provided by a registered podiatric surgeon).

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of a hernia or appendicitis.

Not in this category:

  • Digestive conditions are listed separately under Digestive system.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the female reproductive system.

For example: endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, female sterilisation and cervical cancer.

Not in this category:

  • Fertility treatments are listed separately under Assisted reproductive services.
  • Pregnancy and birth-related conditions are listed separately under Pregnancy and birth.
  • Miscarriage or termination of pregnancy is listed separately under Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.



Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of a miscarriage or for termination of pregnancy.

Hospital treatment for surgery to the teeth and gums. This covers hospital accommodation, theatre fees, anaesthetist fees and other medical fees.

For example: surgery to remove wisdom teeth, and dental implant surgery.

Hospital insurance does not provide benefits towards surgical fees from your treating dentist or oral surgeon. Benefits towards these fees may be claimable from extras cover.

A restriction is a service that is only paid at the standard public hospital rate, rather than a private hospital rate. This means you are only covered for this service in a public hospital. If you're admitted to a private hospital for one of these services, you'll have large out-of-pocket costs.

Hospital treatment for physical rehabilitation for a patient related to surgery or illness.

For example: inpatient and admitted day patient rehabilitation, stroke recovery, cardiac rehabilitation.

Hospital treatment for the treatment and care of patients with psychiatric, mental, addiction or behavioural disorders.

Psychoses such as schizophrenia, mood disorders such as depression, eating disorders and addiction therapy are covered.

Hospital treatment for care where the intent is primarily providing quality of life for a patient with a terminal illness, including treatment to alleviate and manage pain.

If you need treatment for any procedure listed as an exclusion, you won’t receive any benefits from us and you may have significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the brain, brain-related conditions, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.

For example: stroke, brain or spinal cord tumours, head injuries, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

Not in this category:

  • Treatment of spinal column (back bone) conditions is listed separately under Back, neck and spine.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the eye and the contents of the eye socket.

For example: retinal detachment, tear duct conditions, eye infections and medically managed trauma to the eye.

Not in this category:

  • Cataract procedures are listed separately under Cataracts.
  • Eyelid procedures are listed separately under Plastic and reconstructive surgery.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the ear, nose, throat, middle ear, thyroid, parathyroid, larynx, lymph nodes and related areas of the head and neck.

For example: damaged ear drum, sinus surgery, removal of foreign bodies, stapedectomy and throat cancer.

Not in this category:

  • Tonsils, adenoids and grommets are listed separately under Tonsils, adenoids and grommets.
  • The implantation of a hearing device is listed separately under Implantation of hearing devices.
  • Orthopaedic neck conditions are listed separately under Back, neck and spine.
  • Sleep studies are listed separately under Sleep studies.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of diseases, disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

For example: carpal tunnel, fractures, hand surgery, joint fusion, bone spurs, osteomyelitis and bone cancer.

Not in this category:

  • Chest surgery is listed separately under Lung and chest.
  • Spinal cord conditions are listed separately under Brain and nervous system.
  • Spinal column conditions are listed separately under Back, neck and spine.
  • Joint reconstructions are listed separately under Joint reconstructions.
  • Joint replacements are listed separately under Joint replacements.
  •  Podiatric surgery performed by a registered podiatric surgeon is listed separately under Podiatric surgery (provided by a registered podiatric surgeon).
  • Management of back pain is listed separately under Pain management. Pain management that requires a device is listed separately under Pain management with device.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the kidney, adrenal gland and bladder.

For example: kidney stones, adrenal gland tumour and incontinence.

Not in this category:

  • Dialysis is listed separately under Dialysis for chronic kidney failure.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the male reproductive system including the prostate.

For example: male sterilisation, circumcision and prostate cancer.

Not in this category:

  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the digestive system, including the oesophagus, stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, liver and bowel.

For example: oesophageal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, gall stones and haemorrhoids.

Not in this category:

  • Endoscopy is listed separately under Gastrointestinal endoscopy. Hernia and appendicectomy procedures are listed separately under Hernia and appendix.
  • Bariatric surgery is listed separately under Weight loss surgery.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of the internal parts of the gastrointestinal system using an endoscope.

For example: colonoscopy, gastroscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Not in this category:

  • Non-endoscopic procedures for the digestive system are listed separately under Digestive system.

Hospital treatment for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer or benign tumours.

Not in this category:

  • Surgical treatment of cancer is listed separately under each body system.

Hospital treatment for pain management that does not require the insertion or surgical management of a device.

For example: treatment of nerve pain and chest pain due to cancer by injection of a nerve block.

Not in this category:

  • Pain management using a device (for example an infusion pump or neurostimulator) is listed separately under Pain management with device.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of skin, skin-related conditions and nails. The removal of foreign bodies is also included. Plastic surgery that is medically necessary and relating to the treatment of a skin-related condition is also included.

For example: melanoma, minor wound repair and abscesses.

Not in this category:

  • Removal of excess skin due to weight loss is listed separately under Weight loss surgery.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of breast disorders and associated lymph nodes, and reconstruction and/or reduction following breast surgery or a preventative mastectomy.

For example: breast lesions, breast tumours, asymmetry due to breast cancer surgery, and gynecomastia.

Not in this category:

  • This clinical category does not require benefits to be paid for cosmetic breast surgery that is not medically necessary.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and management of diabetes.

For example: stabilisation of hypo- or hyper- glycaemia, contour problems due to insulin injections.

Not in this category:

  • Treatment for diabetes-related conditions is listed separately under each body system affected. For example, treatment for diabetes-related eye conditions is listed separately under Eye.
  • Treatment for ulcers is listed separately under Skin.
  • Provision and replacement of insulin pumps is listed separately under Insulin pumps.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the heart, heart-related conditions and vascular system.

For example: heart failure and heart attack, monitoring of heart conditions, varicose veins and removal of plaque from arterial walls.

Not in this category:

  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the lungs, lung-related conditions, mediastinum and chest.

For example: lung cancer, respiratory disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, and treatment of trauma to the chest.

Not in this category:

  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.
Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of blood and blood-related conditions.
 
For example: blood clotting disorders and bone marrow transplants.
 
Not in this category:
  • Treatment for cancers of the blood is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of the back, neck and spinal column, including spinal fusion.

For example: sciatica, prolapsed or herniated disc, spinal disc replacement, and spine curvature disorders such as scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis.

Not in this category:

  • Joint replacements are listed separately under Joint replacements.
  • Joint fusions are listed separately under Bone, joint and muscle.
  • Spinal cord conditions are listed separately under Brain and nervous system.
  • Management of back pain is listed separately under Pain management.
  • Pain management that requires a device is listed separately under Pain management with device.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment which is medically necessary for the investigation and treatment of any physical deformity, whether acquired as a result of illness or accident, or congenital.

For example: burns requiring a graft, cleft palate, club foot and angioma.

Not in this category:

  • Plastic surgery that is medically necessary relating to the treatment of a skin-related condition is listed separately under Skin.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is listed separately under Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Hospital treatment for the investigation and treatment of conditions affecting the foot and/or ankle, provided by a registered podiatric surgeon, but limited to cover for: accommodation; and the cost of a prosthesis as listed in the prostheses list set out in the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules, as in force from time to time.

Note: Insurers are not required to pay for any other benefits for hospital treatment for this clinical category but may choose to do so.

Hospital treatment to correct hearing loss, including implantation of a prosthetic hearing device.

Not in this category:

  • Stapedectomy is listed separately under Ear, nose and throat.

Hospital treatment for surgery to remove a cataract and replace with an artificial lens.

Hospital treatment for surgery for joint replacements, including revisions, resurfacing, partial replacements and removal of prostheses.

For example: replacement of shoulder, wrist, finger, hip, knee, ankle, or toe joint.

Not in this category:

  • Joint fusions are listed separately under Bone, joint and muscle.
  • Spinal fusions are listed separately under Back, neck and spine.
  • Joint reconstructions are listed separately under Joint reconstructions.
  • Podiatric surgery performed by a registered podiatric surgeon is listed separately under Podiatric surgery (provided by a registered podiatric surgeon).

Hospital treatment for dialysis treatment for chronic kidney failure.

For example: peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis.

Hospital treatment for investigation and treatment of conditions associated with pregnancy and child birth.

Not in this category:

  • Treatment for the baby is covered under the clinical category relevant to their condition. For example, respiratory conditions are covered under Lung and chest.
  • Female reproductive conditions are listed separately under Gynaecology.
  • Fertility treatments are listed separately under Assisted reproductive services.
  • Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy is listed separately under Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy.

Hospital treatment for fertility treatments or procedures.

For example: retrieval of eggs or sperm, In vitro Fertilisation (IVF), and Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer (GIFT).

Not in this category:

  • Treatment of the female reproductive system is listed separately under Gynaecology.
  • Pregnancy and birth-related services are listed separately under Pregnancy and birth.

Hospital treatment for surgery that is designed to reduce a person’s weight, remove excess skin due to weight loss and reversal of a bariatric procedure.

For example: gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy

Hospital treatment for the provision and replacement of insulin pumps for treatment of diabetes.

Hospital treatment for the implantation, replacement or other surgical management of a device required for the treatment of pain.

For example: treatment of nerve pain, back pain, and pain caused by coronary heart disease with a device (for example an infusion pump or neurostimulator).

Not in this category:

  • Treatment of pain that does not require a device is listed separately under Pain management.

Hospital treatment for the investigation of sleep patterns and anomalies.

For example: sleep apnoea and snoring.

Why choose Peoplecare?

30-day cooling-off period orange calendar icon

No worries if you change your mind: just let us know within 30 days of joining or upgrading your cover and you'll get a full refund of any premiums paid (as long as you haven't made any claims in that time, of course).

Waiting periods transfer with you orange clock icon

Coming to us from another health fund? Switching is easy and simpler than you think. Join Peoplecare and we can cancel your existing cover for you. You won’t spend any time without cover that way.

Supporting Australians for nearly 70 years orange three person icon

We’ve raised families large and small. We are proud of their achievements just like they were our own (we have those too).

Our members are happy orange thumbs up icon

A staggering 97% of our members are satisfied. We’ve got the health cover and service to make you smile.

Discovery Research: 2023 Member Satisfaction Survey

We're member-owned orange winner ribbon icon

We're for members, not for profits.

Join now and get 8 weeks free on Hospital & Extras cover orange winner ribbon icon

Join and maintain Hospital and Extras cover (Combination cover) with Peoplecare and you’ll get:*

  • 8 weeks free

  • A waiver of 2 & 6 month waits on Extras

  • Exclusive deals for Peoplecare members

*Join offer T&Cs here

Features of this cover

Choose your doctor

It's important to feel comfortable with your doctor, and private hospital cover lets you choose who treats you. We even have a tool to help you search for specialists and their typical fees.

Access Australia-wide coverage at more than 540 hospitals with 37,000 medical specialists

Peoplecare is a member of the third largest buying group, the Australian Health Service Alliance, to give you the freedom to use almost all hospitals and doctors in the country. You can search all hospitals we have contracts with by using our hospital search.

Get the age-based discount of up to 10% for under 30s

For the first time, we can offer discounts to young Australians taking out private hospital cover thanks to a change in government rules. The change makes private health cover more affordable for you.

Choose a $500 or $750 excess to reduce the cost of your premiums

An amount you agree to pay per admission when you go to hospital in exchange for a lower premium. Peoplecare lets ‘kids eat free’, meaning that you don’t have to pay an excess to go to hospital for kids under 21 who are covered by a family policy. Our excesses are halved if it’s a day stay and the full excess for an overnight stay and longer. You only have to pay your full excess once each financial year on single covers and up to double your excess on couple and family covers (e.g. the full excess for two parents on a family cover).

Receive the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance to reduce your premiums

A Government rebate to help with the cost of private health insurance.

It’s income tested and is applied to both hospital and extras cover. If you have a Lifetime Health Cover loading, the Rebate isn’t applied to that portion of your payments.

The Rebate you get is based on the age of the oldest person of your membership, your taxable household income (for Medicare Levy Surcharge purposes), CPI (inflation) and average health fund industry premium increases.

Lock in your Lifetime Health Cover loading age

Lifetime Health Cover is designed to get people to take out private hospital cover earlier in life.

If you have hospital cover by 1 July after your 31st birthday and keep it, you don’t have to worry about it. If you decide to get hospital cover later, you’ll pay 2% more for cover for every year you’re over 30. This is called your Lifetime Health Cover loading.

Lifetime Health Cover loadings stay on your cover for 10 years. Once you’ve had hospital cover for 10 years straight, the loading is removed.

Avoid Medicare Levy Surcharge

The Medicare Levy Surcharge is paid by high income earners (that’s singles who earn over $90,000 and families that earn over $180,000 in the 2022/23 financial year) who don’t have private hospital cover.

The surcharge is between 1% and 1.5% (depending on your household income) and is paid on top of the 2% Medicare Levy paid by most Australian taxpayers. For more information on the Medicare Levy Surcharge, visit the ATO.

 

^ Once all applicable waiting periods have been served. Some services are excluded or restricted on this level of cover; for these services there is no benefit payable (excluded services) or reduced benefit entitlement (restricted services). See below for further details.

Peoplecare’s Basic Plus Hospital ticks all the boxes for a Basic Hospital cover according to the Federal Government’s hospital tiers. The tiers are in ascending order, Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Health funds can offer hospital covers that meet the exact criteria for each category or they can offer at least one treatment more than the minimum requirements, called a plus cover. There can be Basic Plus, Bronze Plus and Silver Plus covers. Gold has the full complement of hospital services, so there’s no Gold Plus category.

Hospital cover - what's covered

(depending on your level of cover):

  • Public or private hospital bed - shared or a private room (if available)
  • Same-day surgery
  • Theatre fees
  • Special unit accommodation
  • In-hospital psychiatric treatment
  • In-hospital rehabilitation treatment
  • In-hospital pharmacy
  • Surgical prostheses, up to the benefit listed on the Government Prostheses List (a prosthesis is an artificial substitute for a body part)
  • Ambulance services Australia wide
  • Hospital substitution options

Hospital cover - what's not covered

There are a few things that aren't covered by your hospital cover. They include treatments & services that

  • are received within your waiting periods
  • Medicare doesn't cover (like cosmetic surgery)
  • are received outside Australia
  • are covered by a compensation or another type of insurance (like third party or sports club insurance)
  • were received more than 2 years ago
  • Outpatient treatment & services 

and:

  • Some high cost (non PBS/TGA approved) drugs
  • Pharmacy - most pharmacy items that you're given while you're in hospital are covered by your hospital bill. The hospital may charge you extra for pharmacy items that you take home with you and this isn't covered by your hospital cover. 
  • Prostheses that aren't listed on the Government Prostheses List. (A prosthesis is an artificial substitute for a body part.)
  • Ambulance subscriptions or state-based levies
  • Ambulance services paid for by the Government, compensation or another type of insurance
  • Ambulance services that aren't medically necessary
  • Some medical devices and consumables
  • Experimental treatments