Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) is an Australian Government initiative designed to encourage you to take out hospital cover earlier in life, and to keep it. It’s added onto your hospital premium if you wait until after you’re 31 to take it out. Each year you delay, your loading increases by 2%, to a max of 70%.
Here's how it works
If you are under 31 and already have hospital cover, the Lifetime Health Cover won't affect you - as long as you maintain your cover.
If you don't have hospital cover and are over 31, we’re required to apply the LHC Loading to your hospital cover when you join.
Example
If you join at 35 you’ll pay 10% more each year for the same policy, compared to someone who joined at 30. This loading remains in place for 10 continuous years. It only applies to your hospital cover.
Calculate your loading
This is what you could pay extra per year if you're 31 or over, and don't have hospital cover yet.
| Age | LHC loading | What you'll pay extra per year |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 2% | $54.13 |
| 32 | 4% | $108.26 |
| 33 | 6% | $162.40 |
34 | 8% | $216.53 |
| 35 | 10% | $270.66 |
| 36 | 12% | $324.79 |
| 37 | 14% | $378.92 |
| 38 | 16% | $433.06 |
| 39 | 18% | $487.19 |
| 40 | 20% | $541.32 |
Example used for illustrative purposes. Calculations based on a 2021 Single in South Australia on Gold Hospital Complete cover $750 excess with the base tier rebate and 3% debit discount. The LHC percentage will be added to your hospital cover and will remain in place for 10 continuous years
Can you avoid the LHC?
Yes! Simply add hospital cover to your membership by June 30 following your 31st birthday.
Choose great value hospital cover to suit your needs and budget. Compare here
Why get hospital cover when there's a public system?
The reasons for choosing Hospital Cover can be varied, however there are a few common trends that are motivating people to take out cover, even when they have access to a good public health system. Here we outline some of the most common reasons.
Jump the queue
With Hospital Cover you can avoid long public hospital waits, which can take months or even years, by choosing your own doctor and timing for treatment.
Choose your own specialist
You get to choose your own specialist, as well as where and when you’ll be treated.
Have the same specialist care from start to finish
Continuity of care is something that can’t be undervalued.
Recover in the privacy of your own room
All levels of hospital policies cover you for a private room, where one is available, giving you comfort and privacy during your recovery.
Let’s chat about your situation and whether you’d be better off. We’re here to help you understand health insurance, let’s talk.
Posted: Jul 29 2021
Disclaimer
The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.
While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.
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Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.