A number of brochures and factsheets relating to private health insurance are available.

Private Health Insurance Brochures

• Doctors Bills
  A brochure to help you find out about doctors bills, provided by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
• The Right to Change
  A brochure about changing your health insurance policy, provided by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
• Waiting Periods
  A brochure that outlines the waiting periods that apply to private health insurance in Australia, provided by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
• Private Patients Hospital Charter
  A brochure which explains what you can expect from your health insurer when you go to hospital, provided by the Department of Health and Aged Care
  
• Medicare Brochure
  A brochure explaining what Medicare is and what it covers provided by Medicare Australia

Private Health Insurance Ombudsman Factsheets

The following factsheets will take you to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman's website (www.ombudsman.gov.au):

• Assisted Reproductive Services
• Cover for IVF, GIFT and related services
  
• Choosing a Health Insurance Policy
  A fact sheet about what to look out for what choosing a health insurance policy
• Clearance Certificates
  A Clearance Certificate serves as a record of your health insurance cover
• Dental and Oral Surgery
  How private health insurance covers oral surgery, such as wisdom teeth removals
  
• Diabetic Insulin Pumps
  Cover for insulin pumps and questions to ask your health insurer
  
• Health Insurance Premium Increases
• The reasons and processes behind premium increases, and your options if you're considering changing your health insurance policy
• Hospital Agreements
  Private health insurance and hospital agreements - your options if your insurer and hospital terminate an agree
• Informed Financial Consent
  Going to hospital as a private patient? You have the right to ask about whether you will need to pay any extra out of your own pocket
• Membership Arrears
  Keeping your premiums up to date
• Mental Health Treatment and Private Health Insurance
  Private cover for psychiatric services, rehabilitation and psychology
• Obstetrics
  Questions to ask your private health insurer if you're planning to start a family
• Orthodontic Treatment
• How private health insurance covers orthodontics, such as braces
  
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  If your policy excludes or restricts Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, this means there are over 1600 non-cosmetic surgical procedures which your policy does not cover or covers only to a limited extent
• Policy Exclusions and Restrictions
  What isn't covered on your hospital insurance policy
• Podiatric Surgery
• Specialist treatment from podiatric surgeons
• The Pre-Existing Conditions Rule
  How the rule applies and PHIO's role in complaints
• Ten Golden Rules of Private Health Insurance 
• A fact sheet outlining a list of ten tips to help avoid problems with private health insurance

If you have a suggestion for a new brochure or factsheet, please contact us.