Short answer

• The most comprehensive private hospital cover in Australia is a Gold-tier hospital policy (Gold = highest tier). For most people the “most comprehensive” protection combines Gold hospital cover with a high‑benefit extras policy (large annual limits, high % back for dental/physio, optical, etc.). (privatehealth.gov.au)

Which funds / products to look at

• Major funds that commonly offer top-level Gold hospital products and high‑benefit extras (and are worth comparing) include: HCF, Bupa, Medibank, NIB, HBF (WA), Australian Unity and a number of not‑for‑profit/state funds (CBHS, GMHBA, HBF etc.). These funds all publish Gold hospital products and higher‑benefit extras options — coverage and price vary by product, excess and state. (Canstar.com.au)

What “most comprehensive” means in practice

• Gold hospital tier: must cover all government clinical categories (so no clinical categories excluded). That makes it the broadest hospital protection (e.g., joint replacement, cataracts, pregnancy/birth where applicable). (privatehealth.gov.au)
• Extras: look for high annual limits (or unlimited where offered), high percentage reimbursement for major services (dental, major dental, physiotherapy, chiro), short waiting periods already served, and high annual orthodontics/dental caps if you need them. Market “top” extras differ in what they limit. (ComparetheMarket.com.au)

Practical tips to find the truly best/comprehensive plan for you

1. Start with product tier: choose Gold hospital for the broadest hospital cover. (privatehealth.gov.au)
2. Compare combined (hospital + extras) vs hospital + separate high‑benefit extras — some combined products give better value/limits. (Canstar.com.au)
3. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the fund’s list of exclusions and minimum benefit rules — the government definitions set the minimum but funds can add or restrict benefits in practice. (privatehealth.gov.au)
4. Check: annual limits, percentage paybacks, waiting periods, excess per admission, in‑hospital (prostheses and surgeons) gap arrangements, and which hospitals/providers are in‑network. Funds change contracts with hospital groups so this affects out‑of‑pocket costs. (theaustralian.com.au)
5. Use comparison tools (privatehealth.gov.au, Canstar, iSelect, ComparetheMarket) and compare state‑specific examples — premiums can vary widely by state and by age/loading. (privatehealth.gov.au)

Warnings / current context

• Premiums and product names change frequently (funds sometimes close older “Gold” products and replace them with new versions at higher prices). Don’t assume a fund’s Gold product is identical year to year — always check the latest PDS and premium. Consumer reports have flagged large recent price changes in some top‑level covers. (CHOICE.com.au)

If you want, I can

• Compare 3–5 specific Gold hospital + high‑benefit extras products available in your state (I can fetch up‑to‑date premiums, exact inclusions, excess and waiting periods) — tell me your state and whether you want single/couple/family cover, or I can start with national examples.