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- - Compare & Switch 
  - Looking to compare, take out private health insurance or make the switch to HCF? Find the right cover for your needs and we’ll take care of the rest.
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  - Whether you’re here for work or visiting Australia, get access to the health care services you may need with Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).
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  - Count on HCF Life & Recover Cover to stand by you during life’s unexpected challenges and reduce the financial stress on your family’s future.
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  - Prepare for the unexpected with HCF Travel Insurance. Designed to provide cover for delayed luggage, overseas medical emergencies and more for singles, duos and families.
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  - From furry friends to your home and the four wheels guiding you back to your loved ones, find pet insurance, as well as home and car cover options.
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  - Flip is the flexible, great value accident cover made for active lifestyles. Whether you’re chasing waves or at the gym, get cover when you need it.
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How do I use HCF's online member services?

Go to online member services and click on 'Register now'. Follow the prompts to set your password and security questions. If you're having problems registering or logging in, please call us on 13 13 34 or view our how-to guides for more information. 

How do I change my personal details?

To change your postal address, phone number or email, log in to to the My Membership app or online member services. You can also call us on 13 13 34, email service@myhcf.com.au or visit one of our branches. See how-to guides.

How we collect, use, disclose and secure your personal information is detailed in the HCF Privacy Policy.

How do I change who's covered on my policy?

Call us on 13 13 34, email service@myhcf.com.au or visit the contact page to get in touch via your preferred method.

My surname has changed. How do I change my name on my membership?

You can update your personal details through the My Membership app or online member services, or via post and direct email.

Change your name with Medicare.
Send a copy of your name change documentation (e.g. marriage certificate) with a covering letter, to us at GPO BOX 4242, Sydney, NSW, 2001, or via email at membermaintenance@myhcf.com.au.
We'll order you a new membership card.

If you change your details, your previous membership card won't be valid once your new card has been ordered. You'll get your new card within 10 business days^*.

^* Dependant on Australia Post.

How do I get a replacement membership card?

Log in to online member services, go to 'My cover' and select Membership card. You can then order a new membership card for yourself or all your policy members. You should receive your new membership card within 10 business days. Your current card will expire after 14 days unless your new card has been used.

The HCF digital membership card is also available for Android and Apple users in the My Membership app and doesn’t expire^*.

If a dependent on your policy is under 18 and hasn't received a membership card before, contact us on 13 13 34 and we’ll place the order for you.

If you’ve lost your membership card or it’s been stolen, contact our team as soon as you can on 13 13 34 so we can deactivate it. Once we’ve cancelled your card you won’t be able to use it to claim (even if you find it again).

If you have any questions, please get in touch by sending an email or visiting your local branch.

^* Android and Apple users with a supported device can scan the QR code on their digital card at providers with HICAPS Trinity payment terminals. Android users can also use tap-and-go (NFC) at providers with HICAPS VX, HICAPS Trinity or CommBank Smart Health payment terminals. Supported Apple devices run at least iOS 13. Supported Android devices run at least Android 8.

I haven’t received my membership card?

If you’re a new member, your membership card will be issued within 1 to 2 days after you’ve made your first payment. If your first payment lands on a public holiday, we’ll issue it on the next available business day.

The postage days will still apply even if you’ve made a manual payment before your join date. Your card will be issued 1 to 2 days after your HCF join date.

Things to consider if you change your level of cover 

For the same services, you'll be entitled to the benefits of your new cover immediately.
For a higher level of benefits for the same services (e.g. restricted to full cover), you'll only be entitled to the benefits from your old level of cover until you serve the necessary waiting periods for your higher entitlements.
Waiting periods will also apply if you upgrade to new services you weren't covered for before. To check whether you need to serve waiting periods, check your product summary, or call us on 13 13 34.

Switching from another fund?

If you’re switching to HCF from another Australian registered health fund, we’ll ask your previous fund to send us your Transfer Certificate, which will confirm what services you were covered for and your current Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

If you held an equivalent level of cover with your previous fund, and join HCF within 30 days of leaving, you won't have to re-serve any waiting periods.

If there are any inconsistencies on your clearance certificate, we’ll reach out to you to confirm your details.

Switching to another fund?

If you’ve switched to another fund and you want to cancel your policy with HCF, your new fund will contact us to request this. We’ll cancel your policy a day before your new fund's join date as received on your transfer request.

Once we’ve received your transfer request, we’ll cancel and issue your clearance certificate within 14 business days.

How do I suspend my membership?

You can apply to suspend your membership if you’re travelling overseas, receiving a Newstart or Sickness Allowance from Centrelink, or for a reason approved by us. Please note that everyone on the suspended policy won’t be covered for the period of suspension. Suspension is at HCF’s absolute discretion.

To discuss suspending your membership, please call 13 13 34. Alternatively, you can log in to online member services, go to contact us and then scroll down to the drop-down box enquiry type. Select suspend my cover to submit your request. 

The minimum period of suspension is 30 days.
The maximum period of suspension is 2 years, after which time your membership will lapse.
No benefits are payable during the period of suspension.
The period of suspension doesn't count towards waiting periods and loyalty benefits won't increase.
The additional Medicare Levy Surcharge may be payable for the period of suspension, depending on your annual taxable income.
If you want to suspend your cover for travel reasons, please advise us before leaving Australia.
Active and financial membership must be held for more than 6 months before suspension and at least 6 months between suspensions.
Recover Cover and life insurance policies can't be suspended. To maintain your cover, please call 13 13 34 to arrange for your premiums to be paid while your health cover is suspended.
Only health products can be suspended. You can’t suspend if you’re have Overseas Visitors Cover or life insurance.

Health insurance won't cover you outside Australia.  If everyone on your health cover is overseas for more than 30 days, you may be able to suspend your policy for that time.

Be aware that suspending or cancelling your HCF hospital cover may mean you have to pay additional Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS). If you'd like more information about this call us on 13 13 34 and we'll go through your options with you.

Periods of suspension won't count towards any waiting periods or benefits that accrue based on a length of membership. If you cancel completely and don’t have cover with another Australian health fund, you'll need to re-serve all waiting periods.

There's nothing in the law that requires you to suspend or cancel your policy if you go overseas. It's your choice but there may be MLS implications if you do so.

Your policy must be resumed within 30 days of no longer receiving a Newstart or Sickness Allowance from Centrelink, or within 30 days of your return to Australia.

Please complete and submit an Application to Resume Membership and Payment Authority Form, together with proof that benefits were being received (e.g. a letter from Centrelink or current employer) or proof of departure and arrival into Australia.

What conditions apply to suspending my membership?

The minimum period of suspension is 30 days.
The maximum period of suspension is 2 years, after which time your membership will lapse.
No benefits are payable during the period of suspension.
The period of suspension doesn't count towards waiting periods and loyalty benefits won't increase.
The additional Medicare Levy Surcharge may be payable for the period of suspension, depending on your annual taxable income.
If you want to suspend your cover for travel reasons, please advise us before leaving Australia.
Active and financial membership must be held for more than 6 months before suspension and at least 6 months between suspensions.
Recover Cover and life insurance policies can't be suspended. To maintain your cover, please call 13 13 34 to arrange for your premiums to be paid while your health cover is suspended.
Only health products can be suspended. You can’t suspend if you’re have Overseas Visitors Cover or life insurance.

Can I suspend or cancel my policy while I'm overseas?

Health insurance won't cover you outside Australia.  If everyone on your health cover is overseas for more than 30 days, you may be able to suspend your policy for that time.

Do I have to suspend or cancel my policy when I go overseas? 

There's nothing in the law that requires you to suspend or cancel your policy if you go overseas. It's your choice but there may be MLS implications if you do so.

I'm currently suspended, how do I resume my cover? 

Your policy must be resumed within 30 days of no longer receiving a Newstart or Sickness Allowance from Centrelink, or within 30 days of your return to Australia.

What if I cancel or suspend cover for myself but not for my family?

Individuals on a policy can't be suspended. In family situations, this means everyone on your policy must be suspended.

You and your dependants may need to have private patient hospital cover to avoid paying the MLS. Cancelling or suspending cover for yourself will mean that you and your partner may each still be liable for the MLS if your taxable income exceeds the relevant threshold.

Will the premium payments I save be enough to pay my MLS liability? 

Not necessarily. Contact your accountant or tax agent for advice on this.

What if I take out travel insurance and suspend or cancel my cover? 

Travel insurance isn't hospital cover for MLS purposes. So, you'll be considered to be without hospital cover during the period of suspension or cancellation.

If you cancel your cover and don’t re-join within 30 days, you won't be deemed to have had continuous membership and will need to re-serve all waiting periods.

What if I get travel insurance while I'm overseas and maintain my cover? 

By maintaining your hospital cover in Australia, you won't be liable for the MLS while you're overseas.

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your membership, the policyholder needs to let us know in writing. Any premiums paid in advance of the effective cancellation date will be refunded in full, provided you haven’t made a claim after your cancellation date.

If you're considering cancelling, please let us know so we can try and find cover that better meets your needs. You can call us on 13 13 34. Alternatively, you can log in to online member services, go to contact us and then scroll down to the drop-down box enquiry type. Select cancel my cover to submit your request.

Does my private health insurance cover me outside my state?

Yes – you're covered throughout Australia.

On selected levels of hospital cover, HCF members who live in isolated and rural communities can claim travel benefits if specialist medical and hospital treatment isn't available locally. If you're intending to move interstate permanently, please call us on 13 13 34 to change your contact details. 

Does my health insurance cover me if I'm sick when travelling overseas?

No – your HCF insurance only covers you in Australia.

HCF offers travel insurance^*. Explore travel insurance options.

* HCF Travel Insurance is managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd trading as Allianz Global Assistance for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited. Consider the PDS at hcf.com.au/insurance/travel and TMD at allianzpartners.com.au/policies before purchasing or deciding to continue to hold it.

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Life

With HCF Life^* insurance, you can protect your family’s future when you’re not around or get support when you’re unable to work.

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Important Information

Find out about our terms and conditions to use and access this site.

^* Our Life and Recover Cover products are issued by our own HCF Life insurance Company Pty Ltd. ABN 37 001 831 250. AFSL 236 806 (HCF Life). HCF Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited ABN 68 000 026 746, AFSL 241414 (HCF). Terms and conditions apply. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Policy Document and Financial Services Guide available by calling 1800 560 855 or visiting hcf.com.au/lifeinfo, and consider your financial situation, objectives, and needs before deciding on these products as any advice provided does not take these into account. In addition to these documents, you should also read the Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product, which is available at hcf.com.au/lifeinfo. The premiums for Recover Cover products are paid to HCF Life. HCF receives commission from HCF Life for their sale of up to 40% of the first year’s premium plus an additional commission of 80% of HCF Life’s underwriting profit each year calculated as premiums less claims and expenses. HCF’s staff may receive an incentive depending on the annual premium of these products which they sell. This will not exceed 15% of the first year’s premium.

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Health

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