Massive health insurance benefits almost 14million Aussies have just two weeks to claim

Millions of Australians have been urged to claim additional benefits from their private health insurance before they expire in less than two weeks.

Up to 13.6 million Australians are eligible to claim the wide range of benefits, including physio and dental, before the December 31 deadline.

Healthcare providers have reported that many are scrambling to book last-minute checkups to make use of their unused extra benefits.

Data from personal finance company Compare Club revealed Australians could leave an average amount of $1,300 in additional health insurance coverage untouched.

The company’s research found that most health insurance policyholders were eligible for an average of $1,050 in dental reimbursements.

But customers only claimed an average of $237.80 a year.

Meanwhile, data from health insurance company Bupa revealed that sales of optical products increased by 54 percent in November alone.

Most dental and optical claims are made towards the end of the year, when Australians book eye tests, buy new glasses or go to the dentist before the New Year.

Figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) revealed that around 12.2 million Australians had private hospital cover in June this year.

About 54.5 per cent or 14.9 million Australians have private extra cover.

Extras cover is a policy that covers medical concerns that do not require hospital treatment but are essential to a person’s health and well-being.

Common services include dental checkups, physical therapy, and optical products.

Other services and products included in the extras cover include chiropractic treatments, occupational therapy, and health devices and appliances such as asthma pumps.

Australians have been urged to check the amount of additional cover they are entitled to.