COVER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

With 1 in 2 Aussies struggling with their mental health during their lifetime^*, we know how important it is to access mental health support when and where you need it. That’s why we’ve increased our cover for mental health services on selected extras.

Members with eligible extras cover can now claim consultations with:

• a psychologist (if you don’t have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan or you’ve used it up)
• an HCF-approved counsellor
• an accredited mental health social worker.

We also provide cover for eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses, delivered by This Way Up⁺. It’s just another way we provide a level of care that’s uncommon.

PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTATIONS

Claim towards consultations with a psychologist when you don’t have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan or you’ve used it up^{^}.

HCF-APPROVED COUNSELLING

Claim towards consultations with an HCF-approved counsellor, including group and telehealth consultations.

ACCREDITED MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORK

Claim towards consultations provided by an accredited mental health social worker, including group and telehealth consultations.

ONLINE COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

We’ll cover the cost of eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses provided by This Way Up⁺, up to your annual limit.

Everyone’s mental health journey is different and finding where to go for support can be challenging. That’s why eligible members can also access a range of unique mental health programs.

It’s not just about guiding you to the right care at the right time but helping you get the mental wellbeing support you need, quicker and easier than before.
 

WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MEMBERS ARE

Over the last 10 years we’ve paid out more benefits than the industry average, for every dollar our members paid in premiums^#.

100% BACK ON EXTRAS

100% back^** on dental check-ups and other popular extras through our No-Gap network.

MOST CANSTAR AWARDED HEALTH FUND

We've won more Canstar Health Insurance Awards than any other insurerin 2024⁺⁺, including the 2024 Outstanding Value Health Insurance Award, which we've won 9 years in a row .

Can I claim for mental health services?

If psychology benefits are included in your extras cover, and you’ve held this policy for more than 2 months, you can start claiming for appointments with a psychologist (if you don’t have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan or you’ve used it up), HCF-approved counsellor or accredited mental health social worker, up to your annual limit. You can also start claiming towards eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses, delivered by This Way Up⁺ (Flex My Extras offers benefits for eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses only).

How do I claim for mental health services?

You can claim in the My Membership app, through online member services, in a branch or by post. Learn more about how to claim.

What if I have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan?

You don’t need a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan to claim for psychology. If you have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and haven’t used up the plan in that calendar year, you’ll be eligible for Medicare rebates for your psychology consultations using that plan, but won’t be eligible for private health insurance benefits until you have used up the plan. 

If you have had a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and have used up all the sessions in the calendar year^{^}, use the Psychology benefits authorisation and claim form to claim, and attach a paid receipt from your provider.

Which cover offers mental health services?

To find out which extras offer the new mental health services, give us a call on 13 13 34 and we’ll be happy to help.

What’s the waiting period for the new mental health services?

If you’re new to HCF, or your current HCF extras cover doesn’t include psychology, there’s a 2-month waiting period when you take out extras that includes mental health services. If your current HCF extras cover already includes psychology, and you’ve held this cover for more than 2 months prior to 1 July 2023, you can claim straight away.

If you’re switching to HCF, and you were covered for psychology services with your previous health fund, you don’t need to re-serve waiting periods, as long as your new policy has the same level of benefits for those services. Learn more about switching funds.

What is online cognitive behavioural therapy?

Online cognitive behavioural therapy, also known as CBT, OCBT or iCBT, is a skills-based treatment that focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that may contribute to conditions like anxiety and depression. It tends to suit people who would like to develop practical skills to improve their mental health.

What is an accredited mental health social worker?

An accredited mental health social worker uses a range of strategies to provide mental health support and counselling to individuals, families and groups. They’ve completed advanced training in mental health and are recognised by Medicare. They may also provide crisis intervention and advocacy.

How do I know if my provider is recognised by HCF?

Your provider can confirm if they’re a recognised provider with us. Or give us a call on 13 13 34 and we’ll let you know.

What are the different types of consultations?

You can claim for individual consultations, which are one-on-one sessions with your practitioner; couples or family consultations; or group consultations, in which a number of people who don’t know each other come together to discuss a common issue or topic. Consultations can be provided as telehealth over video call or by phone, enabling you to access support remotely.

Can I claim towards any online cognitive behavioural therapy course?

We pay benefits for online cognitive behavioural therapy courses delivered by This Way Up, a not-for-profit online hub developed by experienced psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. The eligible courses cover:

• depression
• anxiety, including generalised, social and health
• panic    
• obsessive compulsive disorder
• mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy             
• perinatal anxiety and depression.

^* Sourced from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health

^{^} Members whose extras cover includes psychology treatment may be entitled to two levels of benefits. To receive a higher benefit for psychology treatment in a calendar year, a member must:

• have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and have used up the plan in that calendar year; and
• have been directly referred for further psychology treatment by a medical practitioner or psychologist. The higher benefit will apply for the remainder of that calendar year.

⁺ This service is not affiliated or associated with HCF in any way. You should make your own enquiries to determine whether this service is suitable for you. If you decide to use this service, it’ll be on the basis that HCF won’t be responsible, and you won’t hold HCF responsible, for any liability that may arise from that use.

^# 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 More for You providers in our No-Gap network is available on selected covers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Providers are subject to change. We recommend that you confirm the provider prior to your appointment. See hcf.com.au/100back

⁺⁺ 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.