PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MEMBERS ARE
We're giving back an additional $176 million in COVID-19 claims savings. It’s just another way we’re putting our money where our members are to help ease cost of living pressures.
If you're eligible to receive the additional cashback, it will be deposited in the bank account you've nominated to receive your claims benefits. Check that your account details are up to date at hcf.com.au/members or in the My Membership app.
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 46,273 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+.
SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE MEMBERS
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.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHEN IT MATTERS MOST
Losing your job can be an incredibly stressful experience and you may be wondering how you’re going to make ends meet. We’re here for you, and we’ll do what we can to help you with your health cover.
Our Involuntary Unemployment Assistance allows eligible members who’ve had HCF hospital cover for at least 12 months to remain covered by HCF paying their premiums for up to 6 months#. We'll also help you review what’s right for your needs, including other options that are available if you've been with us for less than 12 months or don’t meet the criteria for Involuntary Unemployment Assistance.
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SUPPORT
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.
DISASTER RELIEF SUPPORT
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.
WAYS WE GIVE BACK
OVER $536 MILLION
IN TOTAL COVID-19 BENEFITS AND SUPPORT
IN TOTAL COVID-19 BENEFITS AND SUPPORT
$309 MILLION RETURNED TO MEMBERS VIA CASHBACKS
NEARLY $3 BILLION^^ PAID
IN BENEFITS COVERING HOSPITAL AND EXTRAS SERVICES
IN BENEFITS COVERING HOSPITAL AND EXTRAS SERVICES
FREE ACCESS TO AN HCF HEALTHYMINDS CHECK-IN FOR ELIGIBLE MEMBERS*
Looking after yourhealth and wellbeing
- 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 extras during COVID-19: 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. In our Women's Health hub, we dive into topics facing women and their families like endometriosis, fertility and menopause.
PREMIUM Change FAQS
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).
When do premiums usually change?
Health funds review their premiums and policies each year, with any premium changes coming into effect from 1 April. Earlier this year, we deferred the premium increase planned for 1 April 2023 until 1 September 2023, to help our members with cost-of-living pressures. This was our third premium freeze in 3 years.
From 1 September 2023, 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 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 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.
Cashback FAQS
We’re keeping our promise not to profit from the pandemic and are in the process of giving back an additional $176 million in claims savings as part of our continued COVID-19 support for members. This is the second time we’ve undertaken a cashback at this scale. It aligns with our commitment to put our money where our members are and is part of over $536 million in total COVID-19 benefits and support to date.
Who is eligible for the cashback?
HCF members who held an active hospital and/or extras policy on 30 June 2023 and held it continuously for more than 6 months. Members with Ambulance Only policies and Overseas Visitors Health Cover policies aren't eligible.
How will I receive my cashback?
If you're eligible to receive the additional cashback, it will be deposited in the bank account you've nominated to receive your claims benefits between September and December 2023.
What do I need to do?
To make sure we can promptly transfer funds into your account, please check that your bank details are correct by logging in to online member services at hcf.com.au/members or the My Membership app.
Why can't the cashback amount be taken off my premiums?
Members pay premiums in different ways and frequencies. Given the scale and complexity involved in the cashback process, we’re unable to deduct the amount from your premium.
What are COVID-19 claims savings?
Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, health funds have been required by the industry regulator to maintain provisions to cover the cost of elective surgeries and other claims following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. COVID-19 claims savings are excess funds held which we’re returning to our members as part of our commitment to not profit from the pandemic.
What else has HCF done to support members throughout COVID-19?
As Australia's not-for-profit health fund, we're keeping our promise of not profiting from the pandemic.
Since the beginning of the pandemic we've continued to be there for our members with over $536 million in total benefits and support including freezing premiums for a third time, premium relief for all eligible members experiencing financial hardship, free HealthyMinds mental health check-ins for eligible members*, cover of COVID-19 related hospital admissions at no extra cost on all hospital policies^, an expanded range of telehealth services, mental health and wellbeing programs and in-home hospital treatments for all eligible members, and two cashbacks to eligible members.
Last financial year, we paid nearly $3 billion in benefits to our members, covering over 647,400 hospital admissions and 9.6 million extras services such as dental, physio and optical^^. We've also continued to show a level of care that's uncommon by providing members with greater flexibility in how, when and where their care is delivered, many from the convenience and safety of their homes, including telehealth services, mental health and wellbeing programs and hospital treatments at home.
If you have any questions about the cashback, give us a call on 1800 560 788 (Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm, Sat: 9am-5pm AEST/AEDT).
Ways to connect with us
USE THE APP
The My Membership app is the easiest way to stay on top of your health insurance admin.
LOG IN ONLINE
Managing your account on the go is easy with our online member services tool.
CALL US TODAY
We’re open: Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 5pm (AEST/AEDT).
Call 13 13 34.
FIND A BRANCH
Visit your nearest branch for health insurance advice, claiming, joining and more.
Important Information
* 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.
^ Overseas Visitors Health Cover is excluded. Overseas Visitors Health Cover members should check their product information to see if they're covered.
+ 90% compared to 86% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Private Health Insurance Operations Reports 2013-22.
# Available to members who’ve had hospital cover for at least 12 months. Excludes extras only, Ambulance Only and Overseas Visitors Health Cover. Other eligibility criteria apply. See hcf.com.au/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 2021 to 30 June 2022.
++ Available with HCF contracted providers, subject to member location and hospital cover. Waiting periods apply. You must have a suitable home environment to be treated in.
## Savings calculated for the FY20-23 period.