Cover for cataract surgery with Australian Unity.
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Price based on :
Singles cover in VIC. I'm Under 65 with an income $105,000 or less, Rebate Tier 0 and a 4% discount for direct debit.
A cataract occurs when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing symptoms such as blurred vision, glare and increased sensitivity to light. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes and are most common in older adults, with the risk increasing significantly from age 60 onwards. By age 70, around half of Australians will have developed Cataracts.
Cataract surgery is a common eye surgery that removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to help restore clear vision. It is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in Australia and can significantly improve quality of life for people affected by Cataracts.
Yes. Cataract surgery is covered under hospital cover when your policy includes the Cataracts Clinical Category and any applicable waiting periods have been served. The Cataracts category covers the treatment of Cataracts, including surgery performed by an ophthalmologist in a hospital setting.
Before undergoing surgery, it’s a good idea to check:
Cataract surgery falls under the Cataracts Clinical Category, which is generally included in higher levels of hospital cover. Under the Australian Government's hospital cover tiers, you'll typically find Cataract included in Silver Plus and Gold policies. Selected Australian Unity Silver Plus hospital covers include the Cataracts Clinical Category.
The most important thing is not the government tier itself, but whether Cataracts are included in the policy you're considering. If they are, you'll receive cover for cataract surgery regardless of whether the policy is classified as Silver Plus, Gold or other tier. Government tiers simply indicate the minimum Clinical Categories a policy must include; they do not determine benefit levels, hospital agreements, or out-of-pocket costs.
| Medicare (Public System) | Private health insurance with cataract cover | |
|---|---|---|
| When you can have treatment | Public hospital waiting lists may apply | Greater flexibility when arranging treatment |
| Where you can have treatment | Treatment as a public patient. |
Treatment as a private patient |
| Who can treat you | Limited ability to choose your specialist. | |
| Cost to have the surgery | No hospital accommodation charges as a public patient |
Excesses and some out-of-pocket costs may apply |
Regular eye tests can help identify Cataracts early and track changes in your vision over time. Wearing sunglasses may help protect your eyes from UV exposure and support long-term eye health.
In the early stages, prescription glasses, tinted lenses and other vision aids may help improve day-to-day vision. Optical cover can help reduce the cost of these items.
When Cataracts begin affecting everyday activities such as driving, reading or recognising faces, cataract surgery may be recommended by your ophthalmologist.
Private health insurance can help cover hospital costs associated with cataract surgery when your policy includes the Cataracts Clinical Category and any applicable waiting periods have been served.
Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on:Yes. If cataract surgery is medically required for both eyes and your cover includes Cataracts, benefits are payable for both procedures.
If the surgeries are performed on separate days and you've already paid your full excess for the first admission, you generally won't need to pay another excess for the second procedure if it’s in the same calendar year.
When comparing health insurance for cataract surgery, consider:
