How your health cover can help you look after your body

Published February 2023 | 4 min read
Words by Carolyn Tate

We all have different health needs and conditions – here’s how your health cover can help you to maintain your physical health, long term.  

Whatever your age or life stage, your health cover can help you stay healthy if you have a chronic condition or you’re at risk of developing one.

If you’re overweight, have osteoarthritis or you’re at risk of certain health conditions, here are some ways you may be able to use cover to stay well, as well as treatments to look after your body to keep it in the best possible shape.

Weight management

Obesity is a serious health issue, with around 14 million Aussies overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk of developing potentially life-limiting health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and some cancers.

If you need support and tips in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, we may be able to help through our weight management program led by dietitians and allied health practitioners. 

You could be eligible for the Healthy Weight For Life Essentials program, which is designed to support eligible members with a body mass index of 28+ to develop healthier habits, lose weight and prevent the onset of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes^*.

Or you could be eligible for the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program, which is designed for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joints helping to reduce the pain in their joints, improve their mobility or prepare for hip or knee surgery^{^}.

The Healthy Weight for Life programs will guide you through:

• nutrition tailored to you
• plans to get you moving more
• online self-monitoring to track how you’re doing
• advice from experts
• community support through email, message board, post and SMS.

The Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program is open to HCF members who've held hospital cover that covers joint replacement surgery for two months, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 and higher, who have knee or hip osteoarthritis and are considering joint replacement surgery.

Check whether you’re eligible for Healthy Weight For Life by calling 13 13 34.

Physiotherapy

A physio can help you stay healthy in a variety of ways. Physios are experts in the structure of the human body and its movement, so they can give you hands-on treatment for musculoskeletal (muscle, bone, tendon, ligament, joint and cartilage) conditions like sports injuries. They can also provide support for chronic health conditions that aren’t so straightforward.

Some of the conditions a physiotherapist might be able to help you with include:

• diabetes
• osteoarthritis
• osteoporosis
• stroke and other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• cancer, palliative care and lymphoedema
• incontinence
• rehabilitation after surgery
• pain management.

They can also be a partner in long-term preventive health, sharing tips that will help you be fit and active for longer throughout your life.

Eligible HCF members seeing a physio in our More for You network can get 100%⁺ back on their first visit.

Osteopathy

Seeing an osteopath can give you a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on helping your musculoskeletal system to stay healthy. Osteos can help how your musculoskeletal system interacts with, and influences, the rest of your body. They use a range of approaches including spinal manipulation, soft tissue massage, gentle joint movement and muscular resistance.

Conditions osteopaths can help treat include:

• back and neck pain
• arthritis
• pregnancy-related discomfort
• sciatica
• headaches
• sports injuries and tendonitis.

Eligible HCF members seeing an osteopath in our network can get 100% back⁺ on their first visit when visiting providers in our no-gap network.

Myotherapy

Myotherapy is a government-approved natural therapy that helps treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle, ligament and tendon dysfunction. It’s based on the western medicine principles of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Myotherapy treatment can include massage, gentle movement, hot or cold therapy, TENS therapy (using a device that sends electrical pulses through the skin to treat pain), acupressure and dry needling.

A myotherapist might work alone, or in conjunction with a physiotherapist and/or an osteopath, to help treat disorders including:

• sports and overuse injuries
• muscle sprains and strains
• headaches
• posture issues and back pain.

For ongoing conditions that can't be cured, like arthritis or spinal disc degradation, a myotherapist may also be able to help you with a pain management program. This can involve myotherapy sessions, tips on activities you can do at home and working with other therapists like your physio or osteo.

Eligible members may be able to claim for myotherapy treatment depending on your level of cover.

Exercise and gym benefits

Being active on a regular basis can keep you healthy and strong, prevent muscle and bone deterioration, and release feel-good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin.

But did you know if your doctor or physiotherapist has recommended an exercise or gym program to treat a specific medical condition, you may be able to claim some of the cost of your exercise program or gym membership through your health cover?

You may be covered if you have a condition like:

• arthritis
• hypertension
• obesity
• asthma
• diabetes
• osteoporosis.

If your doctor or physio has recommended an exercise or gym program to treat a specific medical condition (like arthritis, hypertension, obesity, asthma, diabetes or osteoporosis) you may be able to claim towards the cost. Ask your doctor or physio to fill in an exercise and gym benefits form, or alternatively, you can also ask a physio or exercise physiologist if you can claim on their class.

Take care of your health now

If you’re overweight or at risk of chronic disease it’s not too late to take charge of your health. Plus, you’ll have the bonus of feeling better every day, and knowing you’re getting great value from your health cover.

What you can access using your health cover will vary depending on your level of cover, so make sure you know what’s included. Download the My Membership app, log in to online member services or call 13 13 34.