How the Plan Works

Health Insurance is like car insurance. When you choose a policy with a large excess, you save with large premium discounts. Of course, the downside is that you need to pay the large excess if you make a claim on your policy.

That’s where the University Health Plan is different...

Through this special workplace amenity, your excess will be refunded to you by the University if you, or an eligible member of your family, goes to hospital. That means you can save by taking a health cover option with a large excess – but still enjoy the security, peace of mind and financial protection of a “no excess” policy.

Combined hospital and extras cover - When you join combined hospital and extras cover, the Hospital excess of up to $450 is refunded to you by the University in the event of a hospital admission.
Hospital cover only - When you take hospital cover only, the excess is $250 - which will be fully refunded by the University Health Plan. So you can save by taking a cover with an excess... but still enjoy the peace of mid of "nil excess" cover

So, instead of paying as much as $260 per month for a family “no excess” top level hospital cover with some funds, you pay less than $190 per month for a $250 (capped at $500 p.a.) excess policy. And you enjoy full protection because the University will refund the excess to you if you go to hospital. That’s a saving of up to $840.00 per year.

And the savings are even more if you take a combined hopital and extras cover!

The Plan offers a range of health cover options for you to choose from – including hospital and extras covers for families and couples, single parents and singles. Premiums are paid by convenient payroll deductions.

Look at the benefits!

Save.

The University Health Plan lets you save on premiums and receive a refund of the hospital excess if you or an eligible family member are hospitalised.

No Waiting.

Receive full continuity of cover if you transfer to the University Health Plan from another registered private health insurer at an equivalent level of cover - even if you have a pre-existing illness or condition.

Receive immediate cover on most services.

On joining the plan, if you take out a Hospital and Extras cover, you receive immediate cover on all services usually requiring 2-6 months waiting periods. This includes hospital, general dental, physiotherapy and chiropractic services. This waiver does not apply to waiting periods of more than 6 months, including 12 months for obstetric services, major dental or pre-existing ailments or conditions. Psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care services, which have a 2 month waiting period, are also excluded from this offer.

Federal Government 30% Rebate.

Receive the Federal Government 30% rebate on private health insurance which further reduces your premiums from the day you join (35% for members aged 65-69, 40% for those aged 70 and over).

Save on tax - No Medicare levy surcharge.

If you're earning more than $77,000 per annum as a single (or over $154,000 as a family/couple) and don't have health insurance, you're charged an additional 1% Medicare Levy Surcharge on top of the current 1.5% government Medicare levy. If you join a hospital cover through the University Health Plan, you wont have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge for the period you are covered. So save on tax by taking out hospital cover.

Lifetime Health Cover.

Avoid Lifetime Health Cover penalties by joining by the age of 31. From 1 July following your 31st birthday, a person pays 2% more each year they are without hospital cover (whether single or on behalf of a family).

Ambulance.

100% Emergency Ambulance Cover Australia-wide is included in all HCF Hospital covers (State Government services only), excluding Queensland and Tasmania. Queensland and Tasmanian residents are covered under their state ambulance schemes.

Moving On.

If you cease employment with the University your health cover benefits and premiums will remain unchanged although you will no longer receive a refund of your hospital excess.

How do I claim an excess refund?

If you or any of your eligible family members are admitted to hospital, you will be required pay the excess at the time you are admitted. To receive your refund from the University, you simply submit a completed Health Plan Claim Form along with the receipt for your excess payment (issued by the hospital) and a photocopy of your HCF membership card.

I am leaving the University’s employment – what do I do?

When you leave the University’s employment, you should contact the University’s health insurance advisors Health Link Consultants on 03 9670 5555 or 1800 808 026.

Health Link will assist with your transition from “corporate” to “retail” health insurance. Health Link can also provide you with a free review of your health cover needs to confirm your current cover continues to be appropriate for your needs.

Should I keep the same cover?

You can continue with the same level of cover – however you won’t be able to claim a refund of your excess if you go to hospital. In these cases you may wish to reduce your excess or remove it altogether. A Health Link review of your needs will determine which is the best option for you now that you are leaving (or have left) the University.

How do I request a review?

If you are unsure about which option might best suit your particular needs, the Plan’s health insurance advisors Health Link can review your situation and provide you with a personal recommendation – free of cost and without obligation.

Who is HCF?

The University Health Plan has been arranged by the University's health insurance advisor, Health Link Consultants, with cover provided by leading health fund, HCF.

HCF is dedicated to delivering the best quality healthcare to its members and provides private health insurance cover for a full range of health benefits including private hospital, Australia-wide ambulance cover and ancillary services. The fund is one of Australia's larger funds and operates on a not-for-profit basis.

Health Link Consultants' personal service combined with HCF's competitive products - and the University's excess refund arrangement means you can now enjoy great health cover protection... and save.

Need help?

If you are unsure which cover best suits your needs, call us on 03 9670 5555 or Freecall 1800 808 026 to discuss your situation... or if you prefer, complete and submit a request for a free recommendation. We’ll then review your situation and forward a personal recommendation and quote to you by post or email. Best of all, this service is available to you free of cost and without obligation.