Hospital cover

Choose your own doctor and the hospital you’re treated in, skip public waiting lists, and more with hospital cover from the fund putting your health before profit.

 A woman lies in a hospital bed and smiles at her male partner who sits on the edge of the bed looking at her.

why choose hcf hospital cover?

Your hospital cover should give you the peace of mind you’ll be covered when you need it most. That’s why we offer a range of great value hospital cover options to suit your needs.

More benefits of private hospital cover

If you’re looking for faster access to care, greater choice over your health, and protection for life’s uncertainties, HCF private hospital cover is there for your peace of mind.

do i need hospital, extras cover or both?

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Offers and discounts

HCF hospital cover helps you save more. Members can save an average of $900++ a year on 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 private Hospital cover for your needs?

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

When comparing hospital cover options, start by thinking about the healthcare services important to you. Consider potential out-of-pocket costs you might need to pay when you make a claim, as different levels of cover might have varying costs, along with inclusions, the option to choose your own excess on eligible cover, waiting periods and hospital network coverage.

At HCF, we make it easier for you to compare hospital cover options to make sure you get the right level cover for your needs and budget.

Compare health insurance at HCF

Private hospital cover gives you the option to choose your own doctor and the hospital you’re treated in, lowers out-of-pocket costs for in-hospital treatments, provides you with emergency ambulance coverage (depending on your state or territory), and helps you avoid long public waiting lists, however it doesn’t cover you for everyday health services. 

Also known as extras, services like general dental, physio, optical, chiro, remedial massage, osteo, and more are all covered under extras cover, which can be combined with your private hospital cover policy.

Learn about hospital and extras cover

If your individual income is above the specified threshold of $97,000 and you don’t have private hospital cover, you’ll need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge, which can be between 1% and 1.5% of your income. To avoid this additional tax, you need to have and maintain any level of hospital cover, whether it’s Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold tier.

Find out more about the Medicare Levy

Private hospital cover generally includes:

  • in-hospital treatments and costs 
  • choice of doctor and hospital for your treatment
  • cover for emergency ambulance services (depending on your state or territory) 
  • reduced waiting times for elective surgeries
  • cover for a range of medical procedures.

This all depends on the level of hospital cover you choose. For example, if you choose bronze level hospital cover, you won’t be covered for pregnancy and birth unless you choose a higher level of cover. 

Waiting periods may also apply. 

Find out about choosing the right cover for you

No, private hospital cover is not free in Australia. Under Medicare, you're covered for the cost of most treatments as a public patient in a public hospital, however as a private patient you may have significant out-of-pocket costs and private hospital cover helps with the costs of treatment as a private patient in hospital. 

Private hospital cover also covers the costs of an ambulance to get you to hospital (depending on your state or territory), allows you to choose your own doctor, could help you save at tax time, and reduces waiting times for elective surgeries.

When comparing hospital cover options, start by thinking about the healthcare services important to you. Consider potential out-of-pocket costs you might need to pay when you make a claim, as different levels of cover might have varying costs, along with inclusions, the option to choose your own excess on eligible cover, waiting periods and hospital network coverage.

At HCF, we make it easier for you to compare hospital cover options to make sure you get the right level cover for your needs and budget.

Compare health insurance at HCF

Private hospital cover gives you the option to choose your own doctor and the hospital you’re treated in, lowers out-of-pocket costs for in-hospital treatments, provides you with emergency ambulance coverage (depending on your state or territory), and helps you avoid long public waiting lists, however it doesn’t cover you for everyday health services. 

Also known as extras, services like general dental, physio, optical, chiro, remedial massage, osteo, and more are all covered under extras cover, which can be combined with your private hospital cover policy.

Learn about hospital and extras cover

If your individual income is above the specified threshold of $97,000 and you don’t have private hospital cover, you’ll need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge, which can be between 1% and 1.5% of your income. To avoid this additional tax, you need to have and maintain any level of hospital cover, whether it’s Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold tier.

Find out more about the Medicare Levy

Private hospital cover generally includes:

  • in-hospital treatments and costs 
  • choice of doctor and hospital for your treatment
  • cover for emergency ambulance services (depending on your state or territory) 
  • reduced waiting times for elective surgeries
  • cover for a range of medical procedures.

This all depends on the level of hospital cover you choose. For example, if you choose bronze level hospital cover, you won’t be covered for pregnancy and birth unless you choose a higher level of cover. 

Waiting periods may also apply. 

Find out about choosing the right cover for you

No, private hospital cover is not free in Australia. Under Medicare, you're covered for the cost of most treatments as a public patient in a public hospital, however as a private patient you may have significant out-of-pocket costs and private hospital cover helps with the costs of treatment as a private patient in hospital. 

Private hospital cover also covers the costs of an ambulance to get you to hospital (depending on your state or territory), allows you to choose your own doctor, could help you save at tax time, and reduces waiting times for elective surgeries.

Important Information

* Calculated based on APRA Quarterly private health insurance statistics September 2023. 

^ Must visit the emergency department within 24 hours of the accident  Excludes Accident Only Basic and My Future and Future Care covers. Conditions apply. See hcf.com.au/accident-safeguard for more information.   

+ Available if you change your mind and cancel your HCF policy within 30 days of joining, and haven't made a claim in that period. 

# Available with HCF contracted providers, subject to your member location and hospital cover. Waiting periods apply. You must have a suitable home environment to be treated in. 

** 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.

^^ 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

++ 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/health-insurance/health-programs

### 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.