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 hiddenfees- 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

Get a quote!

 

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