Extras Cover

Get extras cover to help lower costs of everyday health services generally not covered by Medicare like general dental, physio and optical from the fund that gives members more back*.

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why choose hcf Extras cover?

Take control of your health with extras cover from Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund and get access to the everyday health services you need.

benefits of Extras only health cover

If you’re looking to get more access to holistic health care and lower out-of-pocket costs on services, HCF extras cover is there for your peace of mind.

do i need hospital, extras cover or both?

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Offers and discounts

HCF extras cover helps you save more. Members can save an average of $900## a year on everyday essentials through discounted e-Gift cards*** plus discounts on pet^^^ and travel insurance+++.

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Award-winning insurance trusted by more than 2 million australians

Need help to find the right Extras health insurance for your needs?

Answers to commonly asked questions to help you make the right choice.

Extras cover helps manage the costs of a range of everyday health services that generally aren’t covered by Medicare. While hospital cover helps with the costs of a hospital visit and in-hospital treatments.

Depending on your cover, some of the services covered could include:

  • dental check-ups, teeth cleans, fillings and other dental procedures

  • optical prescription glasses and contact lenses

  • physio treatments to help manage pain and improve mobility

  • chiro services to help with musculoskeletal issues

  • podiatry treatments for some foot-related conditions

  • mental health support, including counselling and online cognitive behavioural therapy for adults and children.

Compare extras cover at HCF

Extras cover can save you money on services like dental and optical, and it may help you to stay on top of your health, with services like dental check-ups and physio appointments. 

HCF’s extras cover also gives you access to holistic health programs to support you in your health journey, along with our More for You programs that offer 100% back^ on a range of services, through our nationwide No-Gap network of participating providers.

You should consider your personal circumstances to decide whether it's worth it for you.   

Extras cover, also known as ancillary cover, provides cover for services and routine treatments that happen out of hospital, like dental check-ups, chiro treatments, remedial massage and more. These services are generally not covered by Medicare.

Using your extras cover:

  1. First, you’ll need to wait until your waiting period has lapsed before you start claiming. For most extras, this is between 2 and 12 months, depending on the service.
  2. Check the service you want to claim is covered by your policy, and your provider is recognised by your health fund. If you’re with HCF,  you could save more by using our Find a Provider tool to find one of 16,000 providers in our No-Gap network and you’ll get 100% back^ on selected services.

  3. Make a claim with your provider, online or via our app if you’re a member, by post or in person at a branch, if you’re with HCF.

HCF offers a range of extras cover to suit everyone’s health needs. We provide an affordable, easy-to-use experience that puts you in control of your health.

Don’t forget, your extras limits and benefits reset on January 1 every year, regardless of when you took out your cover. To take advantage of this, it’s a good idea to understand what your policy covers so you can schedule your check-ups and appointments in advance to maximise the value of your health cover.

Yes, you have the option to purchase extras cover separately from hospital cover. At HCF, we offer a range of separate hospital cover and extras cover options so you can find the health cover that works best for your needs and budget. But for more benefits and greater access to services, a combined hospital and extras package is your best bet.   

Discover hospital and extras cover

Extras cover premiums aren't claimable on your tax return, and doesn't count towards the Medicare Levy Surcharge. It's separate from the hospital cover requirements that impact the levy. 

To avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge, if your income is above the specified threshold of $97,000 for singles or $194,000 for families, you’ll need to have and maintain hospital cover for singles, couples or families, whether it’s Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold tier.

Extras cover helps manage the costs of a range of everyday health services that generally aren’t covered by Medicare. While hospital cover helps with the costs of a hospital visit and in-hospital treatments.

Depending on your cover, some of the services covered could include:

  • dental check-ups, teeth cleans, fillings and other dental procedures

  • optical prescription glasses and contact lenses

  • physio treatments to help manage pain and improve mobility

  • chiro services to help with musculoskeletal issues

  • podiatry treatments for some foot-related conditions

  • mental health support, including counselling and online cognitive behavioural therapy for adults and children.

Compare extras cover at HCF

Extras cover can save you money on services like dental and optical, and it may help you to stay on top of your health, with services like dental check-ups and physio appointments. 

HCF’s extras cover also gives you access to holistic health programs to support you in your health journey, along with our More for You programs that offer 100% back^ on a range of services, through our nationwide No-Gap network of participating providers.

You should consider your personal circumstances to decide whether it's worth it for you.   

Extras cover, also known as ancillary cover, provides cover for services and routine treatments that happen out of hospital, like dental check-ups, chiro treatments, remedial massage and more. These services are generally not covered by Medicare.

Using your extras cover:

  1. First, you’ll need to wait until your waiting period has lapsed before you start claiming. For most extras, this is between 2 and 12 months, depending on the service.
  2. Check the service you want to claim is covered by your policy, and your provider is recognised by your health fund. If you’re with HCF,  you could save more by using our Find a Provider tool to find one of 16,000 providers in our No-Gap network and you’ll get 100% back^ on selected services.

  3. Make a claim with your provider, online or via our app if you’re a member, by post or in person at a branch, if you’re with HCF.

HCF offers a range of extras cover to suit everyone’s health needs. We provide an affordable, easy-to-use experience that puts you in control of your health.

Don’t forget, your extras limits and benefits reset on January 1 every year, regardless of when you took out your cover. To take advantage of this, it’s a good idea to understand what your policy covers so you can schedule your check-ups and appointments in advance to maximise the value of your health cover.

Yes, you have the option to purchase extras cover separately from hospital cover. At HCF, we offer a range of separate hospital cover and extras cover options so you can find the health cover that works best for your needs and budget. But for more benefits and greater access to services, a combined hospital and extras package is your best bet.   

Discover hospital and extras cover

Extras cover premiums aren't claimable on your tax return, and doesn't count towards the Medicare Levy Surcharge. It's separate from the hospital cover requirements that impact the levy. 

To avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge, if your income is above the specified threshold of $97,000 for singles or $194,000 for families, you’ll need to have and maintain hospital cover for singles, couples or families, whether it’s Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold tier.

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.

^ 100% back through our No-Gap network is available on selected covers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Our network of healthcare providers change often. Please check that your provider is part of our network before you book or attend an appointment. See hcf.com.au/100back

+ Waiting periods and annual limits apply. 100% back for prescription glasses and sunglasses excludes add-ons like high index material, coatings and tinting. 

# Eligibility criteria applies. For more information see hcf.com.au/health-insurance/health-programs

** Depends on your level of cover, annual limits and waiting periods. Service limits of 1 pair every 3 years.

^^ For singles and couples only. Flexible $650 single limit plus $175 for optical and $100 for remedial massage and myotherapy, per person, per year.

++ Cover is limited to emergency transport to the nearest hospital by a State or Territory government ambulance provider (excludes transport from another hospital or medical facility). Benefits are not payable for ambulance services covered by a State or Territory government scheme.

## Based on discounts available through HCF partners (Aug 2023) and average category spend from ABS Household Expenditure Survey, Australia (2017).

*** 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.

^^^ All HCF members are eligible for a member discount of at least 10% on HCF Pet Insurance. HCF Ruby and Diamond members get a 15% discount. Existing Manchester Unity Pet Insurance policies are not eligible for discounts under HCF Thank You. Visit the HCF Thank You page for further information. Where relevant, increased discount will be applied automatically at first renewal after advancement in HCF Thank You tier. To be eligible for the discount members need to have the HCF My Membership app or online member services set up. This offer may be subject to change.

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

HCF Pet Insurance is not part of HCF's health insurance business. Please do not assume that pet insurance and health insurance are similar. HCF may receive a commission of up to 13% of the premium for promoting HCF Pet Insurance Policies. HCF sales agents are paid a salary or wages but do not receive a commission or other payments attributable to the sale of HCF Pet Insurance. For more information, contact HCF on 1800 630 681 or petinsurance@hcf.com.au

+++ To access the discount code, log in to the My Membership app or online member services and go to the travel section of the HCF Thank You page to find the code. 25% discount applies to new policy purchases and is based on standard premium rates (including optional covers). It applies automatically upon successful input of the discount code and applies to any changes, upgrades or amendments made to the policy prior to commencement of the journey. The discount may apply to changes made after commencement of the journey, contact Allianz Global Assistance to find out more. Cannot be used in conjunction with, or in addition to any other discounts. No additional discounts will be provided to Members who already receive a Member discount. Please contact us for more information.

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.

### Eligibility criteria applies. For more information see hcf.com.au/victorchang

**** Outstanding Value Health Insurance Award 9 years in a row (2016-24). Winner of the 2024 Hospital Insurance Award in WA, SA and Qld and Hospital and Extras Insurance Award in Tas, Vic and WA.