Hospital and Extras cover

Get combined hospital and extras cover to get more value from a range of health services in and out of hospital.

A man sits in a wheelchair in a hospital corridor with a nurse leaning over him and smiling.

why choose hcf hospital and extras cover?

HCF hospital and extras covers you for the treatments you may need, and everyday health expenses like dental, physio and optical to help you stay fit and healthy.

More benefits of hospital and extras cover

Get added cover for hospital stays, protection when accidents happen, and more flexibility when it comes to your health with our hospital and extras cover.

do i need hospital, extras cover or both?

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Offers and discounts

HCF hospital and extras cover can help members 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 or more information about Hospital and Extras cover?

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

Consider the cover that best suits your health and budget needs. Some people choose hospital cover to avoid long public hospital waitlists, which can be up to 12 months, and to be covered for the costs of an ambulance in an emergency (depending on your state or territory), or to save at tax time with a private health insurance rebate and avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge if your income is above a certain threshold. Whereas others might choose to get extras only cover for access to services generally not covered by Medicare, like dental check-ups, prescription glasses, physio, chiro and remedial massage appointments and more. 

That’s why we offer great value hospital and extras cover options at HCF so you can get the protection you need and access to the healthcare services that are most important to you.

Find hospital and extras cover today

When deciding on the right hospital and extras cover for you, consider the healthcare services that matter most to you. This includes having access to any everyday health services like dental, physio, optical, chiro, remedial massage and more, while also considering any potential out-of-pocket costs as different levels of cover might have varying costs, coverage, and waiting periods. Also, check if you’re able to choose your own excess to meet your needs and budget, the extent of the hospital and provider networks available, and the impact of excess on premiums.

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

Hospital and extras cover comparison 

A waiting period is the time you must wait before you can claim benefits on a new or upgraded level of health cover and applies to all health funds. It can range from 2 months, for services like general dental, or up to 12 months for some hospital treatments.

If you're switching from another health fund to HCF, you won’t need to re-serve waiting periods for services if:

  • you switch to HCF on the same or a lower level of benefits for those services
  • you switch within 30 days of leaving your previous fund.

However, if you move to a higher level of benefits or to a cover with new services, waiting periods of up to 12 months may apply for those services.

Learn more about switching to HCF 

Generally, no. Medicare doesn’t cover:

  • ambulance services

  • most dental services

  • glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids.

Hospital and extras cover can help fill these gaps and lower your out-of-pocket costs, while reducing waiting times for surgeries, allowing you to choose your own doctor and hospital for treatment, and more.

The level of coverage depends on the hospital and extras policy you choose though. For example, if you choose a basic level of hospital and extras cover, you won’t be covered for pregnancy and birth unless you upgrade to a higher level of cover.

Find out about choosing the right cover for you

Yes, you can have hospital and extras cover with 2 different providers. However, it can be easier to manage with a combined hospital and extras policy. At HCF, you can choose a mix and match approach to have more control over your health and budget needs, allowing you to have different levels of cover within a single policy. For example, Gold Hospital cover for singles or couples and Mid Extras cover. This way, you get the peace of mind you’re looking for in a combined policy that works for you.

Consider the cover that best suits your health and budget needs. Some people choose hospital cover to avoid long public hospital waitlists, which can be up to 12 months, and to be covered for the costs of an ambulance in an emergency (depending on your state or territory), or to save at tax time with a private health insurance rebate and avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge if your income is above a certain threshold. Whereas others might choose to get extras only cover for access to services generally not covered by Medicare, like dental check-ups, prescription glasses, physio, chiro and remedial massage appointments and more. 

That’s why we offer great value hospital and extras cover options at HCF so you can get the protection you need and access to the healthcare services that are most important to you.

Find hospital and extras cover today

When deciding on the right hospital and extras cover for you, consider the healthcare services that matter most to you. This includes having access to any everyday health services like dental, physio, optical, chiro, remedial massage and more, while also considering any potential out-of-pocket costs as different levels of cover might have varying costs, coverage, and waiting periods. Also, check if you’re able to choose your own excess to meet your needs and budget, the extent of the hospital and provider networks available, and the impact of excess on premiums.

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

Hospital and extras cover comparison 

A waiting period is the time you must wait before you can claim benefits on a new or upgraded level of health cover and applies to all health funds. It can range from 2 months, for services like general dental, or up to 12 months for some hospital treatments.

If you're switching from another health fund to HCF, you won’t need to re-serve waiting periods for services if:

  • you switch to HCF on the same or a lower level of benefits for those services
  • you switch within 30 days of leaving your previous fund.

However, if you move to a higher level of benefits or to a cover with new services, waiting periods of up to 12 months may apply for those services.

Learn more about switching to HCF 

Generally, no. Medicare doesn’t cover:

  • ambulance services

  • most dental services

  • glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids.

Hospital and extras cover can help fill these gaps and lower your out-of-pocket costs, while reducing waiting times for surgeries, allowing you to choose your own doctor and hospital for treatment, and more.

The level of coverage depends on the hospital and extras policy you choose though. For example, if you choose a basic level of hospital and extras cover, you won’t be covered for pregnancy and birth unless you upgrade to a higher level of cover.

Find out about choosing the right cover for you

Yes, you can have hospital and extras cover with 2 different providers. However, it can be easier to manage with a combined hospital and extras policy. At HCF, you can choose a mix and match approach to have more control over your health and budget needs, allowing you to have different levels of cover within a single policy. For example, Gold Hospital cover for singles or couples and Mid Extras cover. This way, you get the peace of mind you’re looking for in a combined policy that works for you.

Important Information

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

^ 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

+ 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 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.

^^ 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.