What Extras Cover Actually Pays For
Extras (ancillary) cover reimburses a portion of the cost of health services Medicare doesn't subsidise, most commonly:
- General dental: check-ups, scale and clean, polish, fillings, and often a portion of major dental
- Optical: prescription glasses, frames, contact lenses and eye tests
- Physiotherapy: consultations and rehabilitation for physical injuries
- Other allied health (policy-dependent): chiropractic, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, podiatry, remedial massage, psychology, dietetics, and hearing aids
The Detail That Actually Matters: Limits
Extras premiums can look almost identical between two policies while paying out very differently, because each service has its own annual limit and percentage reimbursement — a $500 optical limit vs. a $200 one changes what new glasses actually cost you out of pocket, even at the same premium.
Cost Range
Extras-only premiums range from roughly $9 to $350 a month depending on the coverage level chosen, location, and whether it's a single or family policy — a wide enough range that comparing the limit schedule matters more than the sticker premium.
A Practical Way to Choose
Add up what you actually spent on dental, optical and physio last year, then check which policy's limits would have reimbursed the most of that — rather than picking the policy with the longest list of included services, many of which you may never use.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial or medical advice. Premiums, rebates, thresholds and eligibility vary by insurer, policy and individual circumstances — always check the Standard Information Statement and Product Disclosure Statement before buying.