How the policies stack up

Single, 31-year-old woman, nonsmoker.

» Southern Cross Wellbeing Two: $32.47 a week

Covers (no excess): Surgical treatment, imaging and diagnostic procedures, specialist consultations, cancer care, doctor visits, prescriptions, annual health check, flu vaccination, physiotherapy, vision and dental care, preventive and natural healthcare including nutritionist, podiatry, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropracty, naturopathy.

» Southern Cross Health Essentials: $7 a week Covers: 75 per cent of GP, dental, optometrist, physiotherapist, nutritionist, acupuncturist and osteopathy costs.

» Nib Private Hospital Cover Plus: $14.10 a week

Covers (no excess): Surgery, specialist, diagnostics, ACC top-up, pre-existing conditions cover, cancer treatment and follow up including non-Pharmac treatments, family planning benefits.

» Nib Basic Every Day package: $4.95 a week Covers: 60 per cent of the cost of glasses, contact lenses, dental care, physiotherapy and GP consultations up to $950 a year.

» Sovereign Private Health Plus: $16.63 a week

Covers (no excess): Private surgical treatment, hospitalisation, scans. After three years, $750 a year for pregnancy, maternity or fertility treatments, and $500 for health screening after three years and every three years subsequently.