What’s a co-payment — and why are we offering it?
We get it — the words “co-payment” and “hospital” in the same sentence can sound like bad news. But at see-u, we’re keeping it real: this isn’t a sneaky fee. It’s just a simple, upfront way to help you pay less for private hospital cover.
And now, we’re offering co-payment options on two of our hospital products, to give you more choice, and more control over your costs.
So, what is a co-payment?
A co-payment is a small, fixed daily fee you agree to pay only if you’re admitted to hospital as a private patient. Not vague. Just a clear amount — and at see-u, it’s only $50 per day, capped at $250 per hospital stay.
Example:
- 1 day in hospital = $50
- 3 days = $150
- 5 days = $250
- 7 days? Still only $250 (that's the cap)
This applies to both same-day and overnight stays, and you’ll always know the max amount up front.
Why introduce a co-payment?
Most of our members (maybe you?) don’t plan on using their hospital cover often. And that’s the point. Instead of charging everyone higher premiums just in case, co-payments allow us to offer lower-cost options for people who want cover, but don’t want to pay for things they’ll rarely use
It’s a practical option that benefits low users — without compromising on what you’re covered for.
Benefits of a co-payment policy:
✅ Lower premiums
✅ Predictable out-of-pocket costs if you’re admitted
✅ Control over your cover and how you use it
Co-payment vs excess — how they work together at see-u
At see-u, our new hospital covers include both an excess and a co-payment — and there’s a good reason.
- Excess: This is a one-off cost per hospital stay or day surgery. For example, $750 per admission (capped at $1,500 per person per calendar year).
- The co-payment admission — at see-u, it’s $50 per day, capped at $250 per admission.
Why both? Because this combo helps us keep your premiums lower week to week. It’s a smart trade-off that makes hospital cover more affordable for members who don’t expect to use it often but still want the safety net of having private cover.
There are no hidden fees- we’ll always keep it clear and let you know exactly what applies and when.
Is a co-payment policy right for me?
If you’re:
- Young and healthy
- Looking to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge or LHC loading
- Price-conscious but still want peace of mind
- Comfortable with paying a little if you do go to hospital
…then a hospital cover with a co-payment could be a great fit.
You still get solid private cover — and you’re only paying the excess and co-payment if you have to use it.
Want to see your options?
We’ve have two hospital products with co-payment options:
👉 Starter Hospital Co-payment – super affordable cover with accident protection
👉 Saver Hospital Co-payment – a step up with broader hospital services
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