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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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  - Discover the benefits of private health insurance for you and your family, including comprehensive health support and how to find a provider near you.
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Overseas Visitors
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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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Life
- - HCF Life and Recover Cover
  - 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
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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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About HCF
- - About HCF
  - Learn more about Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, how we reward our members, HCF benefits, partnerships, research initiatives and more.
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How do I choose cover that suits my needs?

We're committed to helping you choose the right cover. You can explore your options:

Why should I get HCF hospital cover?

Choose your doctor

If you need hospital treatment, you can choose your doctor.

Avoid waitlists

If you need an operation or medical treatment, you won't need to go on a public waitlist. Hospital cover can quickly get you into a private hospital so you can be treated sooner. 

Find an HCF participating hospital

Take advantage of government incentives

You can avoid paying Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading if you take out cover before you turn 31 and keep it. If you take out cover from 1 July following your 31st birthday, a loading of 2% of premiums is added for each year you don't have hospital cover (up to 70%). You’ll be required to pay the loading for 10 years.

Plus, the Australian Government Rebate may subsidise your premium to help make your cover more affordable.

Reduce your tax

Hospital cover can help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (extra tax) if your income is above a certain threshold.

What’s the provider network?

We have an extensive network of service providers and private hospitals throughout Australia, where charges have been negotiated on your behalf.

Doctors

The Australian Government subsidises medical services listed on the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS). When a doctor charges a fee higher than the MBS, it's called a 'medical gap'.

To help you minimise your out-of-pocket costs for doctors' and specialists' fees in hospital, we've got 'no-gap' arrangements with thousands of doctors across Australia. Ask yours if they're willing to participate. If not, they may agree to charging a 'known gap', capped at $500.

Always ask your doctor to detail their charges (and any out-of-pocket expenses) before you're treated.

Find an HCF participating hospital

Before having hospital treatment:

check your hospital insurance covers you for the procedure
if you'll need a prosthesis, ask your doctor which will be the best for you and which no-gap prostheses are available.=
if the doctor recommends one for which a gap is payable, ask why they're recommending it
ask your doctor to explain the costs of your surgery including any medical gap, prosthesis gap (if any) and any other expenses. If there are any out-of-pocket costs, ask for a written cost estimate
call us on 13 13 34 if you're unsure whether you'll have to make any gap payments.

What’s a participating hospital?

HCF participating hospitals include most private hospitals throughout Australia. You're fully covered (except for any exclusions, excess and conditions relating to your hospital cover which still apply) in every one of them for the following in-hospital expenses:

overnight and same-day accommodation
operating theatre and critical care fees
supplied pharmaceuticals directly associated with the reason for admission (including the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme benefits)
allied services like physio, occupational therapy and dietetics
surgically implanted government recognised prostheses
Emergency ambulance.

How do I find a participating hospital?

Use our participating hospital search tool

What's a non-participating private hospital? 

A non-participating hospital is a private hospital that we don't have an agreement with. If you're treated at one you could face significant out-of-pocket costs. 

How can I join HCF?

There are several ways you can join:

Online: choose the cover that's right for you, then complete our online application form
Call: 1800 062 063
Branch: visit a branch

Does HCF offer a free trial?

Yes. You'll get a 100% refund on hospital and/or extras cover if you choose to cancel your policy within 30 days, and haven't made a claim.  

When does my cover start?

Your cover will start as soon as you've paid us the premiums due at the time that you apply and have fully completed our application process. Waiting periods may apply so make sure you check how this affects your membership before you join. 

Will I get a membership card?

Yes. All HCF members are sent a membership card that details the membership number and the names of those covered. You'll receive your card within 10 business days of joining.

Android and Apple users can also access their digital membership card in the My Membership app. You should see your digital card in the app within 2 business days. You can use your physical membership card to make on-the-spot claims at branches or through HICAPS or CommBank Smart Health, or by tapping the card icon in the top right corner of the My Membership app to show your QR code, then simply hold your device near the terminal at your provider until you hear a beep.

How do I switch to HCF from another fund?

Switching to HCF is easy. Choose the cover that works for you, then complete your application and Interfund Transfer.

You can also switch at any HCF branch or by calling 13 13 34.

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.

Once we have the details of your previous fund, we'll ask them to send us an Interfund Clearance Certificate. If they send it to you, please forward it to: HCF GPO BOX 4242, Sydney, NSW, 2001.

If you're switching and upgrading your cover, you'll need to serve the necessary waiting periods for your higher entitlements. 

What are the loyalty rewards and member benefits with HCF?

Your loyalty is rewarded and limits accrue on many of our extras depending on your level of cover, and the number of years you've been on it.

This also applies to our rewards program, HCF Thank You^*, which helps members save on everyday essentials like groceries, fuel and movie tickets through discounted e-Gift cards, as well as discounts on other insurance products.

To find out more about loyalty benefits on your cover, check your product summary at online member services or call us on 13 13 34.

If you upgrade your cover, you may have waiting periods before you can take advantage of your increased benefit and limits.

^* Eligibility criteria applies. 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 without advance notice.  See HCF Thank You terms and conditions

What are the HCF Health Management Programs?

Find out more about HCF Health Management Programs.

How can I claim a Health Management Program benefit?

Before you start any program, please check with us to confirm that you're eligible to claim. Check eligibility requirements or call 13 13 34.

To claim for a Health Management Program (other than Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life or Exercise and Gym programs), complete our claim form and include original receipts.

Then submit your receipts with the relevant claim form:

We only accept original receipts that include:

the full name of the HCF member participating in the program
provider's full name or company/trading name, their ABN or ACN, address and phone number
address the service was provided
dates the program was started and completed date the invoice or receipt was issued
description and cost of the program, details of amounts paid and outstanding balance.

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Private health insurance that’s right for you

No matter what stage of life you’re at, your health cover should work for you. That’s why we put you in control with a range of options for peace of mind.

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Singles

Whether it’s for everyday health services, peace of mind or to save at tax time, find singles cover for your lifestyle.

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Couples

Outstanding cover for you and your partner so you can focus on what matters most and live the life you want together.

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Families

From single to 2-parent homes, families with 2 mums or 2 dads, kids or adult-dependants, find cover for every family.

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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.

Learn more

Looking for something else?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team are ready to help and guide you in the right direction.

Call us

Get in touch with our team between Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (AEST/AEDT) or on Saturday, 9am to 5pm (AEST/AEDT).

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Report a fraud or scam

If you’ve received something and are unsure if it’s a message from us, get in touch with our team or report it as suspicious to Scamwatch.

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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.

Compare & Switch

Health

Overseas Visitors Health Insurance (OVHC)

HCF Life and Recover Cover

Travel

Pet, Home & Car

Flip

About HCF

Why choose HCF