Short answer There’s no single “best” hospital cover for everyone in Australia — the best policy depends on your needs (what procedures you want covered), where you live, your budget, whether you need extras bundled, and whether you care about “no-gap” arrangements or particular hospitals. Independent comparisons consistently show HCF, Medibank and Bupa among the strongest performers for hospital cover, but smaller not‑for‑profit funds (and open membership funds owned by them) can offer better value for particular policy levels. (Canstar.com.au)

How to decide which hospital cover is best for you

1. Pick the right level (Gold / Silver / Bronze / Basic)

   • Gold covers the widest range of hospital treatments (pregnancy, joint replacements, cataracts, many specialist procedures). Lower tiers cover fewer procedures and cost less. CHOICE explains what each level typically includes. (CHOICE.com.au)

2. Check specific inclusions/exclusions (not just the tier)

   • Two “Silver” policies can cover very different procedures (e.g., IVF, palliative care, rehab). Read the policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) for the exact list of hospital treatments covered.

3. Look at provider networks and gap cover

   • Which private hospitals and specialists are “in‑network” (no-gap or known-gap) matters a lot — being covered by a fund that has contracts with hospitals near you can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Recent disputes and contract changes between insurers and hospital chains have affected where members face gaps, so check current hospital agreements. (theguardian.com)

4. Compare premiums, excesses and waiting periods

   • Consider the weekly/monthly premium, the excess per admission, and any waiting periods for procedures you think you’ll need.

5. Use independent comparison tools and awards for a shortlist

   • Compare policies side‑by‑side on sites like Canstar, Finder and the CHOICE guides, which also publish awards and value analysis. These sources show which funds score best in value and coverage each year but results depend on the policy tier and the profile used in the comparison. (Canstar.com.au)

Which insurers tend to rank highly (summary of recent reviews)

• HCF: often rated top for value and member benefits (especially basic/silver tiers) and for complaints record/value returned to members. (Finder.com.au)
• Medibank: frequently wins “outstanding value” awards in Canstar research and performs strongly across several hospital tiers. (Canstar.com.au)
• Bupa: large market share and wide hospital network; strong in member retention and hospital coverage but can vary by policy and state. (Forbes.com)
• Other contenders: Smaller/open-membership funds and not‑for‑profit funds (and some branded funds like Qantas Health, Phoenix in specific states) can offer better value for particular hospital tiers — check Finder and Canstar award winners for the current year. (Finder.com.au)

Practical step-by-step to find the best hospital cover for you (do this now)

1. List the hospital treatments you want covered (e.g., joint replacement, pregnancy/IVF, cataract, mental health).
2. Use a comparison tool (Canstar, Finder, Compare the Market, or CHOICE’s hospital cover guides) and filter by your state/postcode and the treatments you need. (Canstar.com.au)
3. For the top 3–5 policies, read the Product Disclosure Statements to confirm inclusions/exclusions, excess amounts, waiting periods and any “no-gap” guarantees.
4. Check whether your preferred local hospitals/surgeons are contracted with the fund (to avoid surprise out-of-pocket costs). Recent news shows contracts can change — confirm current hospital lists on the insurer’s website or by calling them. (theaustralian.com.au)
5. Compare total cost (premium + expected excess + likely out-of-pocket gaps) over a year — not just the headline premium.

If you want, I can:

• Run a tailored comparison for your postcode, age and the specific treatments you want covered and show the top 3 hospital policies (with citations).
• Or summarize best options for a typical person in your state (e.g., NSW, VIC, QLD).

Which would you prefer?