The Australian Government sets the maximum waiting periods that health funds can enforce for hospital treatment. They are:

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions
• 12 months for pregnancy
• Two months for psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care, even for pre-existing conditions
• Two months in all other circumstances

There’s usually no waiting period if you need hospital or medical treatment because of an accident that happens after you’ve joined a health fund.

If you have cover with another fund and are transferring, your waiting periods will be honoured as long as you’re switching to a comparable or equivalent level of cover. If you’re taking a higher level of cover than before, waiting periods will only apply to the new services you didn’t previously have cover for or any higher benefits that are available when upgrading.

Depending on your level of cover, you might need to pay a hospital excess and/or co-payment when you’re admitted to hospital.

Before going to hospital, make sure you ask your specialist and/or surgeon to give you a written copy of all costs associated with your procedure. Then call us and we’ll be able to tell you what your out-of-pocket-costs will be.

Health Insurance is legislated by the government which means the government sets a maximum amount of discount that can be offered by health funds, making Health Insurance fair for all Australians. We understand that health insurance can be expensive, but by paying your premium by direct debit you’ll receive a 3% discount.

Get a premium discount on Hospital Cover for 18 – 29 year olds and keep it till you’re 41. The younger you are when you take out hospital cover, the higher your discount. Once you have your age-based discount, it will stay in place until you turn 41 years old.

When joining us, we’ll contact your insurer and cancel your cover the day you join, making sure you have no break in cover.