7 ways to get the most value from your health cover

From 100% back on popular extras to joining our health and wellbeing programs, here are seven key ways to get more value from your health cover.

Your health is your most precious asset. We’re here to help you make the right choices to take charge of it, and that means showing you how to get the most value out of your health cover.

We offer more than just health cover. We also offer a range of tools, health and wellbeing programs and services that help you be proactive about your family’s health, and we want you to make the most of them.

Here are seven questions to help you get the most out of your health and your extras cover before it refreshes on 1 January.

1. Have you made the most of your extras?

Now is a great time to book in your family’s check-ups and make sure you use your extras cover before the end of the year. Any unused benefits reset on 1 January.

Our providers are Australia-wide and the extensive network makes sure you and your whole family can access affordable healthcare.

Our More for You programs support eligible members by giving them 100% back^* (depending on your cover and annual limits) on some of the most popular ‘extras’ services, like dental, optical, physio and osteo, when they see a provider in our network.

2. Have you used our Find a Provider tool for more savings?

We know the rising cost of living is top of mind for Aussie families, so to keep your out-of-pocket expenses down when visiting a dentist, physio, optical provider, chiro or specialist, our Find a Provider tool should be the first place you look.

We’ve partnered with thousands of medical specialists and extras providers around the country to make sure the care you access is high quality and affordable.

Our industry first search tool lets you enter the type of doctor or More for You program provider you’re looking for in our network, and your preferred hospital or location. Once you find providers near you, you can read their biography, locations, contact details and what your out-of-pocket costs are likely to be.

3. Are you looking after your health and wellbeing?

We firmly believe health cover shouldn’t be just something you use when you need to go to hospital. Our health and wellbeing programs are designed to help you stay on top of your health, get tailored support where and when you need it, and help you along your health journey – whatever that may look like. Many of our programs are preventive, helping you reduce the risk of more serious conditions further down the track.

Depending on your level of cover, you and your family may be able to join programs and services at no extra cost, including:

• Discounted access to the evidence-based Sleepfit app, which can help identify sleep issues, recommend improvements and offer access to personalised tools to improve the quality of your sleep. Eligible members^{^} with hospital or extras cover can get a free 12-month Sleepfit subscription^{^}.
• Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life, a weight-management program based on medical evidence designed to support you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. This program is available to eligible members who are overweight and have osteoarthritis⁺.
• Eligible members have access to digital mental health services for the whole family, including PSYCH2U^**, Calm Kid Central^{^^} and This Way Up^##.
• The COACH Program, a free four to six-month phone-coaching program for eligible members^*** with heart conditions or diabetes that can help improve your health.
• Access to the Snug app^{^^^}, which keeps track of your family’s medical history, procedures, vaccinations, medications and even fitness stats, all in one place.

It’s important to know what you’re covered for, so you can maximise everything we offer that helps you stay well and lead a healthier lifestyle. Some of our programs have eligibility criteria, for more information download the My Membership app, log in to online member services or call 13 13 34 and we can help with any questions.

4. Do you know you could get at-home hospital treatments?

Nothing beats the comfort of being in your own home, especially when you’re unwell. That’s why we offer access to some at-home hospital treatments if you have eligible cover. These treatments at home are called hospital-substitute treatment⁺⁺⁺(or HST) because the treatment at home takes the place of the treatment you would have had in hospital. Where your doctor permits it, you could have the following treatments at home:

• intravenous therapy antibiotics
• complex wound care with negative pressure wound therapy
• rehabilitation after a hip or knee replacement
• IV chemotherapy.

Challenging the way care is usually provided so you feel more comfortable and cared for is something we prioritise for our members. That’s why we like to call it Uncommon Care.

5. Have you saved on everyday essentials with HCF Thank You?

As a way of thanking you and helping you save more money, we offer eligible members^### a range of exclusive offers and discounts through HCF Thank You. This includes discounts on essentials like petrol and groceries and up to 50% off movie tickets when you purchase an e-Gift card from our portal. The longer you stay with us, the better your thank-you gifts get.

6. Have you used our free resources for your family’s health?

Caring for your family’s health needs can feel like a full-time job but it can be a little easier when you know you’re not alone, and you’ve got easy access to the support and information you need. That’s why we’ve created helpful resources and tools.

• Preparing for hospital tool – it can feel overwhelming if you or a loved one is going into hospital for surgery, with a thousand questions swirling in your mind. This tool has information and explainer videos for 47 common procedures, including IVF, hip replacements, cataract surgery and more, so you can know what to expect, and feel empowered to ask informed questions of your doctor before your procedure.
• Our Health Agenda hub, which is packed full of free articles for you and your family on a range of health topics, plus lots of healthy recipes to try at home.
• The Navigating Parenthood podcast, covering a range of topics and challenges that parents face, with parents and experts sharing their stories.

7. Do you have a pet?

Did you know we also offer a range of affordable pet insurance^~ for your furry friends? HCF Pet Insurance can help with the cost of your cat or dog's eligible vet bills (providing up to 80% back). With a range of optional extras, you can pick a policy that's right for your pet's life stage and needs. HCF members can save up to 15% on pet insurance^~.

Word by Carolyn Tate
Published November 2022