Claiming after a GP visit

If you’re covered for GP services and visit a GP in the HCF network, you can get 100% back. Just pay any GP fees upfront on the day, and then submit a claim with us.

If you’re covered for GP services and visit a GP outside of the HCF network, you might have to pay additional costs. Pay any GP fees upfront on the day, and then submit a claim with us. ​

Not all OVHC policies include GP services. To check what treatments you’re covered for, log in to our Overseas Health Cover portal and view your policy details, or call our 24/7 Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42.​ To check if the GP is in our network, call our 24/7 helpline on 13 68 42 (select option 2).

To claim, complete an HCF claim form and email it to OVHC_Service@hcf.com.au, along with any bills or receipts. You can also take it to a branch or send by post.

Claiming after treatment in hospital

If you’re having hospital treatment, there are 2 different aspects to your claim: medical costs and hospital costs.

Medical costs

This refers to services provided by the specialist doctors treating you in hospital. These costs are charged by the specialist.

If you’ve chosen a doctor from the HCF medical gap network, and the medical services provided by that doctor are included in your cover, the bills should come straight to us from them, so you shouldn’t need to do anything.

If you’ve paid your doctor’s bill or it’s sent to you, complete an HCF claim form and email it to OVHC_Service@hcf.com.au, along with any bills or receipts. You can also take it to a branch or send by post.

Not all OVHC policies include cover for all services. To check what treatments you’re covered for, log in to our Overseas Health Cover portal and view your policy details, or call our 24/7 Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42.​

Hospital costs

This refers to things like accommodation and theatre fees when you’re admitted to hospital as an inpatient. These costs are charged by the hospital.

If you’re admitted to a private hospital in the HCF network, you’ll avoid extra costs for hospital treatment and services included in your cover. The bills should come straight to us from the hospital, so you shouldn’t need to do anything.​

If you visit a private hospital outside the HCF network, or a public hospital as a private patient, HCF may only pay a low level of benefits and you may have significant extra costs, depending on your cover. Ask the hospital what your treatment will cost before you’re treated, so you can understand what your gap payment will be. You may have to pay all costs upfront and then make a claim with us. In some instances, this can be significant, and depending on the cover chosen, treatment and length of stay, could be up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you paid your hospital bill or it’s sent to you, you and the hospital need to complete a National Private Patient Claim Form (HC21). Email it to OVHC_Service@hcf.com.au, along with any bills or receipts. You can also take it to a branch or send by post.

To check what treatments you’re covered for, log in to our Overseas Health Cover portal and view your policy details, or call our 24/7 Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42.​

To find a hospital in our network, call our 24/7 helpline on 13 68 42 (select option 2). Check if there are participating private hospitals in your area and if they provide emergency treatment or other services you may need.

Claiming for an ambulance

All levels of HCF Overseas Visitors Cover include the cost of emergency ambulance transport services to the nearest hospital or for on-the-spot treatment (unless the ambulance service is covered by another arrangement).

If you’re sent a bill after you’ve used an ambulance, email it to OVHC_Service@hcf.com.au. You can also take it to a branch or send by post.

Need help with claiming?

If you need help with claiming, or accessing and completing any of our forms, call our 24/7 Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42.