GIVING MOREBACK TO MEMBERS

When it comes to healthcare, we’re here to support our members in their time of need. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve provided over $536 million in total COVID-19 member benefits and support, including:

• premium increase freezes 3 times in 3 years
• $309 million in cash givebacks directly to eligible members
• premium relief to 72,700 eligible members experiencing financial hardship
• $16 million^* in everyday savings for members through our loyalty program, HCF Thank You
• keeping eligible dependants on their family’s health cover for longer
• increased cover for mental health services on selected extras
• an expanded range of health and wellbeing programs, including a free HealthyMinds mental health check-in for eligible members^{^}.

As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, we’re always challenging ourselves to find new ways to put our money where our members are with great value cover, access to quality health care and more benefits back than the industry average⁺.

We understand that members may be experiencing vulnerability and we're here to help and support you, when and how you need it. We’re committed to supporting you with sensitivity, care, empathy and respect.

We encourage you (or your family, carer or support person) to speak with our team so that we can identify and understand your needs and the ways we can help.

Read more about how we support customers experiencing vulnerability.
 

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at home. 

We're here to provide support if you're experiencing or at risk of domestic or family violence. Your privacy, safety and wellbeing are important to us. 

If you’ve been directly impacted by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a range of financial and mental health support measures.

If you're experiencing financial hardship, eligible members can receive premium support or suspensions of your cover. To discuss what options are available, contact us on 13 13 34.

We’re also giving members quick and easy access to mental health support. Eligible HCF members can access a free HealthyMinds Check-in^{^} with a PSYCH2U psychologist by calling PSYCH2U on 1300 472 866 or booking an appointment online.

Members can also book a standard GP consultation^** (less than 20 minutes) online through GP2U for a fee of $50 if you need to speak to a GP about any health concerns.

• Access to mental health support: Our mental health and wellbeing programs are designed to give you access to the support and treatment that's right for you. Learn more.
• Telehealth services: Stay on top of your health and get value from your cover with our range of telehealth services. Explore our service providers.
• Treatment at home and nurse helpline: Our range of in-home hospital support gives eligible members access to quality care from the convenience and safety of your home⁺⁺. Learn more or call our nurse helpline on 13 13 34.
• Helping you stay healthy and active: Our Health Agenda hub provides practical, no-nonsense information about health conditions and treatments, tips on boosting your physical and mental health, and insights to help you improve your health and wellbeing. You can also listen to advice from leading experts and be inspired by real-life stories in our Navigating Parenthood and Menopause Matters podcasts.

Managing good health and making informed decisions starts with the right information.

Our Women's Health Hub gives you practical information and real-life stories to take charge of your health and wellbeing, covering topics like endometriosis, fertility, mental health, fitness, sexuality, pregnancy and menopause.

The My Membership app takes the hassle out of health cover with fast claims on the go​, payment flexibility and no-fuss cover review.

Download from the App Store or Google Play. 

Why is my premium changing? 

We’re doing everything possible to keep premium increases to a minimum. We review our premiums each year with a single-minded focus on providing great value cover that puts your health first. We consider factors like advances in health technologies and treatments (which offer better outcomes but often cost more), rising healthcare costs and growing demand as our population ages (47% of us are living with at least 1 chronic health condition, with mental or behavioural conditions, back problems and arthritis the most common). 

Lean more about premium changes.

When do premiums usually change?

Health funds review their premiums and policies each year, with any premium changes coming into effect from 1 April.

From 1 April 2024, premiums will be adjusted to help us keep up with the growing costs of hospital, medical and other health-related services. This means you may see a change to your premiums. 

What is the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance and is it changing?

Australians with private health insurance currently receive a Rebate from the Australian Government (Rebate) to help cover the cost of their premiums.

The Rebate is the government’s contribution toward your private health cover and is calculated based on your income, age and family status. It’s adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the average premium increase across all health funds but there’s been no increase to the Rebate since 1 April 2021.

On 1 July 2023, the Rebate income tiers changed. If you need to update your tier, please contact us. Read more about the Australian Government Rebate.

^* Savings calculated for the FY20-23 period.

^{^} 1 HealthyMinds Check-in available per member per calendar year. Service is available free to all members with hospital cover. Excludes extras only cover, Ambulance Only, Accident Only Basic and Overseas Visitors Health Cover.

⁺ 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.

^# Available to members who’ve had hospital cover for at least 12 months. Excludes extras only, Ambulance Only and Overseas Visitors Health Cover. For Healthmate hospital product policyholders and/or partners, you need to have had cover for at least 2 months. Other eligibility criteria apply. See Involuntary Unemployment Assistance for more information.

^** Some members may be eligible for Medicare benefits for a telehealth consultation with GP2U. For all other HCF members with health cover, HCF will pay the GP2U consultation fee for a standard GP consultation (less than 20 minutes) for a limited time. See hcf.com.au/gp2u for offer end date. 

^{^^} Figures for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

⁺⁺ Available with HCF contracted providers. Subject to member location, hospital cover and clinical eligibility. Waiting periods may apply. You must have a suitable home environment to be treated in.