Find out if Police's health needs have changed in 2025
In shortWhile the health cover claiming trends haven't changed in the last year, the data continues to show the value of private health insurance for police and emergency services workers. |
What were the biggest hospital benefits paid out?
Throughout the 2024-2025 financial year, Police Health Limited continued to meet the growing health needs of its members and paid just over $245 million in health benefits to its members.
The three most expensive hospital episodes were;
- Digestive System episode and treatment, $235,777 benefit
- Brain and Nervous System episode and treatment, $124,228 benefi
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer, $115,620 benefit
It’s a strong reminder of the benefits of private health cover—peace of mind, faster access to treatment compared to the public system, and and the reassurance that when you do need to claim, your cover helps reduce the financial burden.
This is especially relevant for police and emergency service workers, whose demanding roles and added workplace pressures can increase the risk of chronic mental and physical health challenges.
Hospital cover continues to support
Within Police Health Limited, the most common hospital procedures and treatments in the 2024-2025 financial year were:
| Procedure or treatment | Average benefit paid |
|---|---|
| 1. Heart and Vascular System (e.g. heart surgery) | $7,509 |
| 2. Joint replacements (e.g. hip replacement) | $17,393 |
| 3. Digestive System | $4,763 |
| 4. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy | $1,474 |
| 5. Hospital psychiatric services | $3,283 |
Changes from 2023-2024
Despite growing to 100,000 members across Police Health and Emergency Services Health, there were only minor changes to the most common hospital procedures and treatments;
- Heart and vascular system and joint replacements swapped places
- Digestive System and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy also swapped places
It's not a surprise that Hospital Psychiatric Services remained the 5th most common hospital procedure or treatment.
Recent research by The University of Western Australia, which surveyed 14,868 Australian ambulance, fire and rescue, police, and state emergency service employees, found these groups face extra risks.
It found that, of emergency services personnel overall;
- 30% had low wellbeing
- 21% had high and 9% had very high psychological distress
- 10% had probable PTSD
If you or someone you know needs support, these mental health services can help;
- Lifeline | 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800
Extras health insurance delivers
The most common extras benefits used across Police Health Limited appear to resemble the most commonly known extras.
| Extras category (eg dental, optical etc) | Average benefit paid | Total benefits paid |
|---|---|---|
| Dental | $328 | $45,331,088 |
| Optical | $336 | $14,188,362 |
| Physiotherapy | $77 | $11,582,430 |
| Chiropractic | $59 | $5,594,741 |
| Podiatry | $112 | $4,179,578 |
This order is a repeat of the 2023-2024 financial year, and reiterates the extra stresses that police and emergency services face.
That includes National Library of Medicine (US) that found shift work, a commonplace in police and emergency services, can lead to changes in saliva pH.
This then creates an acidic environment in the mouth that promotes harmful bacteria, and may cause dental cavities.
In addition, there’s growing evidence that police and emergency services workers face extra strain on their eyes.
One example is Natural Hazards Research Australia's survey of 337 firefighters across NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
They found that 90% experienced eye irritation during work and 70% continued to experience symptoms afterwards.
If you're looking for extras cover, read more about our Rolling Extras here.