What is the La Trobe University Health Plan?
Where do I get policy and premium information?
How to I join the University Health Plan?
How do I pay my premiums?
What if I already have health insurance with another fund and want to change to the University's Health Plan?
How do I change my Health Plan cover?
How do I make a claim?
What date is my policy paid up to?
How do I cancel my policy?
I'm leaving the University - what do I do with my health insurance?
Who can I call?

What is the La Trobe University Health Plan?

The La Trobe University Health Plan is an arrangement between the University,  Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia (HCF) and the La Trobe University Credit Union, through health insurance advisors, Health Link Consultants. This arrangement enables employees enrolled in the Plan to obtain substantial cost savings compared to similar covers with other health funds.

With each of the Plan’s Hospital products, most people usually pay an excess per hospital admission.

• Combined hospital and extras cover - When you join combined hospital and extras cover, the Hospital excess is up to $450 per hospital admission. 
• Hospital cover only - When you take hospital cover only, the excess is $250 per hospital admission.

As part of the University Health Plan a fund, known as the Excess Refund Pool, has been established to reimburse these excess payments to employee members.

If you or an eligible member of your family are admitted to hospital, you pay the excess at the time you are admitted. To receive your refund from the Excess Refund Pool, you then submit a completed claim form to the La Trobe University Credit Union, along with your receipt and a photocopy of your HCF membership card. The La Trobe University Credit Union will then arrange to credit your credit union account or another nominated bank with the excess reimbursement. It's as simple as that.

See How the Plan Works for further details.

Where can I get policy and premium information?

The University Health Plan provides a range of extras and combined covers for employees.  Detailed fact sheets are available for each cover - for families and couples, single parents and singles.

How do I join the University Health Plan?

To apply to join the La Trobe University Health Plan you simply need to complete and return the appropriate Application Form (including a payment authority) to People and Culture - Bundoora Campus.

See How to Join for further details and to download the application and payment authority form.

How do I pay my premiums?

Permanent staff (full time and part time) can pay premiums by payroll deductions each fortnight.

What if I already have health insurance with another provider and I wish to change?

When completing the application form to join, make sure you complete the Interfund Transfer section. This will allow HCF to make the appropriate arrangements with your existing fund.  If you have direct debit arrangements with your existing fund please remember to personally advise your bank, or pay office to cancel your deductions.

How do I change my HCF coverage?

Personal situations change during the course of our lives and from time to time you may have need to change the details of your coverage or the specific package.

In the first instance contact the Health Link Consultants (03 9670 5555 or 1800 808 026) to discuss the various options available under the University Health Plan. You can request a personal review and recommendation by completing and returning a review request form.

Once you have decided on what plan is best suited to your circumstances you then need to complete a new application form with your amended details and submit this to People and Culture - Bundoora Campus for processing.

How do I make a claim?

To make a health insurance claim you need to contact HCF either by calling 13 13 34 or going online to their webpage, www.hcf.com.au. When making contact, let the HCF consultant know that you are a member of the University Health Plan. People and Culture do not process any health insurance claims.

To claim a refund of a hospital excess you have paid, submit the completed claim form along with your receipt and a photocopy of your HCF membership card to the La Trobe University Credit Union.

What date is my policy paid up to?

To confirm what date you policy is paid up to you should call the Plan Advisors Health Link Consultants on 03 9670 5555 (freecall 1800 808 026).

How do I cancel my policy?

To cancel your health insurance with HCF and coverage by the University Health Plan you need to contact the Plan Advisors, Health Link Consultants on 03 9670 5555 (freecall 1800 808 026) to advise them that you wish to cease your cover. You should also contact People and Culture in writing to advise them that you are cancelling your policy so that deductions from your salary cease.

I am leaving the University, what do I do with my health insurance?

When you leave the University you will become responsible for the payment of your HCF hospital excess.  You should therefore call Health Link Consultants on 03 9670 5555 (freecall 1800 808 026) for advice and assistance on choosing between the HCF options below or a new Fund.

The HCF options include:

• A nil hospital excess.
• A lower hospital excess.
• Remaining at the same hospital excess.

A range of HCF payment options are available, such as:

• Monthly / Quarterly / Half Yearly or Yearly by direct debit or credit card.
• Weekly / Fortnightly by direct debit.
• 6 or 12 months by cheque.

Health Link Consultants are very familiar with the University Health Plan arrangements - so it's important that you contact Health Link in the first instance ph: 03 9670 5555 or  freecall 1800 808 026). Further, if the HCF product options are no longer suitable for you or your partner or family, then the staff at Health Link Consultants will be able to provide you with other product options should this be necessary.  This service is available to you free of cost.

Who can I call?

To discuss:

• the plan and options available contact the Plan Advisors ,Health Link Consultants on ph: (03) 9670 5555 or freecall 1800 808 026 or by email to advice@health-link.com.au.
• a hospital or medical claim contact,  HCF on 13 13 34.
• an excess refund claim contact the La Trobe University Credit Union on (03) 9478 8222

For employer related queries, the contact person is:

• Mat Fitzwilliam on ph: (03) 9479 2101