8 ways to get more value from your HCF health cover
HealthAgenda
Private Health Insurance
8 ways to get more value from your HCF health cover
Updated February 2025 | 5 min read
Words by Lucy E Cousins
From 100% back on popular extras to joining our health and wellbeing programs, here’s how to get more value from your HCF health cover.
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, a parent or a grandparent, there’s nothing more important than your health and the health of the ones you love.
Prevention is key to maintaining your overall wellbeing, but we know the unexpected can – and does – happen. In fact, recent HCF and YouGov research found 40% of Australians aged 25 and over have experienced sudden illness or an injury requiring hospitalisation or medical treatment.
The same research found 76% of Australians believe private health insurance is important for protecting against unexpected medical costs.
That’s why we aim to help you take charge of your health, so you can make the right choices when it comes to your health cover.
As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, our members get more benefits back for every dollar paid in premiums than the industry average*.
We invest in a range of health programs and support that’ll help you be proactive about your health and your family’s health.
We also offer more than just health cover, including life, pet^, travel+, home#, landlord# and car# insurance.
We want to help you make the most of these services and get even more value from your health cover. Here’s how.
8 ways to get more value from your health cover
1. Get peace of mind for unexpected medical costs
When it comes to your health, it pays to be prepared, especially if you have an unexpected stay in hospital. In the last financial year alone, we paid out $2.7 billion in members’ hospital and medical services, including 757,000 hospital admissions to treat conditions like lung cancer, spinal injuries and heart disease. We also covered over 11 million extras services, like dental check-ups, physio visits and remedial massage**.
2. Get extras cover that flexes to your needs
With our range of flexible extras cover, you can personalise your cover to better suit your health and lifestyle needs. Choose My Extras allows you to select and swap your extras services as your needs change, so you only pay for what you intend to use (as long as no one on the policy has claimed on them during the year). Flex My Extras offers basic extras cover for singles and couples with a flexible single limit that can be used on any covered service, plus an additional optical limit and remedial massage limit.
3. Save by using the HCF provider network
Lower your out-of-pocket costs by using our extensive No-Gap network. The easy-to-use Find a Provider tool can connect you with over 45,000 Australia-wide health professionals, including dentists, physios, chiros and more. You can save up to 100% back^^ on a range of extras like dental check-ups or your first physio visit through our No-Gap network. You can also book an appointment online with selected More for Teeth providers.
For hospital stays, search for specialists, doctors and surgeons and gain an understanding of what they might charge. To access lower or no-gap hospital services under your policy, you can search for a participating hospital near you. You can also find the typical costs for the most common procedures using our Cost Indicator tool.
4. Get health support when you need it
We offer a range of holistic health programs to support members on their health journey. The HCF Healthful app helps you track your real-time health and wellbeing, offering eligible members++ a personalised health score and 24/7 digital coach. You can also access a range of other services, including weight management, heart and diabetes coaching support and joint health. For families, members can access online GP consultations, healthy eating resources and mental wellbeing support. For your mental wellbeing we provide sleep support, online mental health services and an alcohol support program. We also help you stay on top of your preventive health checks, including free heart checks## with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
5. Reduce the stress of hospital visits
To make hospital stays a little less stressful, our Preparing for Hospital guides can help you understand what to expect in hospital and what aftercare you may need. In some cases, you may be able to be treated from home for certain procedures, including intravenous therapy antibiotics, rehabilitation after a hip or knee replacement and intravenous chemotherapy. If you’re not sure about a diagnosis or treatment, eligible members can get a free Second Opinion*** from a certified medical specialist based in Australia.
6. Save on other insurance
Our members can depend on us to look after many aspects of their insurance needs in one place. With HCF Home and Contents Insurance# and HCF Landlord Insurance#, you can make sure your home or investment property is insured, while HCF Car Insurance# will keep you moving. If you’re travelling in Australia or overseas, HCF Travel Insurance+ is designed to cover you and your luggage. For the more active and adventurous, Flip offers flexible, on-demand accidental injury insurance^^^ that covers you for eligible injuries if you have an accident. Don’t forget your furry family members – HCF Pet Insurance^ can help with the cost of your cat or dog’s eligible vet bills. Plus, the good news is eligible HCF members can access a discount on these services – head over to Member offers and discounts to learn more.
7. Enjoy discounts and exclusive member offers
We want you to get the most value from your health cover. With the HCF Thank You+++ reward and recognition program, you get access to a range of exclusive offers, discounted e-Gift cards and benefits designed to thank you for choosing and sticking with us. You could save on average up to $900 a year### on everyday essentials like groceries, fuel and entertainment to help ease household pressures and offset the cost of your health cover.
8. Empowering you to take charge of your health
We know healthcare can be complicated, so we’re helping you demystify the healthcare system and take charge of your health with actionable health and wellbeing information. From our Health Agenda Hub to videos and podcasts like Menopause Matters and Navigating Parenthood, we’re connecting you to the tools you need to be your healthiest self.
Stay up to date with your cover
The best way to save with your health cover is to understand your policy and what services and treatments you’re covered for. You can check your cover details in online member services or the My Membership app. You can also keep track of your extras limits, view your claims and more. It’s important to review your policy when your life circumstances change, like getting married, starting a family or retiring, because your current health cover may not include the services you now need.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* 89.2% compared to 85.6% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Private Health Insurance Operations Reports 2014-23.
^ HCF Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 21 March 2024 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746, AFSL 241414 (HCF). HCF Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 21 March 2024 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by HCF. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at hcf.com.au/petinsurance.
+ The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746 AFSL 241414 (HCF) arranges this insurance as agent for AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631 trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA). AGA arranges and manages travel insurance as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz). Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. HCF, Allianz and AGA do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Before making a decision please consider the Product Disclosure Statement, the Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD). The TMD is available at allianzpartners.com.au/policies. If you purchase a policy, HCF and AGA receive a commission which is a percentage of your premium - ask us for more details before we provide you with services.
# The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746 AFSL 241414 (HCF) arranges Home and Contents Insurance, Motor Insurance and Landlord Insurance as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL No 234708 (Allianz).
HCF and Allianz do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits, applicable sub-limits and exclusions apply. Before making a decision:
- in relation to Home and Contents Insurance, please consider the relevant Home and Contents Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any applicable supplementary PDS, the Home Buildings or Home Contents Key Fact Sheets and the Financial Services Guide. The relevant Target Market Determination is available by calling 1300 657 046.
- in relation to Motor Insurance, please consider the relevant Motor Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any applicable supplementary PDS and the Financial Services Guide. The relevant Target Market Determination is available by calling 1300 657 046.
- in relation to Landlord Insurance, please consider the relevant Landlord Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any applicable supplementary PDS, the Landlord Buildings or Landlord Contents Key Fact Sheets and the Financial Services Guide. The relevant Target Market Determination is available by calling 1300 657 046.
If you purchase a policy of Home and Contents Insurance, HCF will receive a commission of up to 10% of the premium for each HCF Home and Contents Insurance policy issued or renewed on or before 30 August 2024 and up to 5% of the premium for each HCF Home and Contents Insurance policy issued or renewed after 30 August 2024. If you purchase a policy of Motor Insurance or Landlord Insurance, HCF will receive a commission of up to 5% of the premium for each HCF Motor Insurance policy or HCF Landlord Insurance policy issued or renewed. HCF may also receive a share of up to 40% of the underwriting profit for HCF Home and Contents Insurance, HCF Motor Insurance and HCF Landlord Insurance policies. Ask us for more details before we provide you with services.
^^ 100% back through our No-Gap network is available on selected covers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Our network of healthcare providers changes often. Please check that your provider is part of our network before you book or attend an appointment. See hcf.com.au/100back
++ Must have an active HCF hospital and/or extras cover. Excludes members on Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC), Accident Only Basic and Ambulance Only policies.
## Must have hospital cover and be aged 18 or over. Excludes Overseas Visitors Health Cover.
*** Members with Accident Only cover, Extras Only cover, Ambulance Only cover or Overseas Visitors cover are not eligible. Members of RT Health and Transport Health belong to the HCF Group of companies and are eligible for this service if they have held a hospital policy for at least 12 months.
^^^ Any advice in this article relating to Flip is provided by Flip Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 71 648 680 960, ARN 001288198 (Flip) and is general in nature. Flip does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, so please consider how appropriate it is for you before purchasing. Read our PDS, FSG and TMD available at flipinsurance.com.au before purchasing, too. HCF Life Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 37 001 831 250, AFSL 236 806 (HCF Life) is the issuer of Flip insurance. Flip is a wholly owned subsidiary and authorised representative of HCF Life. You can contact Flip and HCF Life here. HCF Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746, AFSL 241 414 (HCF) and acts on its own behalf. Premiums for Flip insurance are paid to HCF Life. HCF receives commission of 80% of HCF Life’s underwriting profit each year, calculated as premiums less claims and expenses. Flip may receive remuneration from HCF Life for the financial services it provides in relation to Flip insurance. Flip and HCF Life employees receive a salary, paid by HCF Life, for the financial services they provide in relation to Flip insurance. In addition, HCF, HCF Life and Flip employees may also receive an incentive depending on the total revenue and profitability of Flip insurance, and for meeting their compliance obligations. This remuneration is provided on a discretionary basis and may vary from time to time.
+++ You can access HCF Thank You offers after you've been a member for a week, and if your premiums are up to date. Excludes Ambulance Only and Overseas Visitors Health Cover. Offers and partners are subject to change. See the HCF Thank You terms.
### Based on discounts available through HCF partners (Aug 2023) and average category spend from ABS Household Expenditure Survey, Australia (2017).
This communication contains information which is copyright to The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, HCF does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on this website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. HCF members should rely on authoritative advice they seek from qualified practitioners in the health and medical fields as the information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.
