Waiting Periods

Transfer from Other Funds

There are no qualifying periods if you are accepted for membership after transferring a current membership from another Australian Registered Health Insurer and had an equivalent level of cover, and completed all waiting periods.

Normal waiting periods will apply to those aspects of HCF cover not covered previously by your past fund, and for those items specifically nominated within the products as requiring extended waiting periods.

HCF will not pay immediate benefits at a higher level than those provided by the previous fund.

HCF annual maximums may be reduced by the amount of benefit already paid by the previous fund for similar services in the current benefit year of transfer.

Waiting Periods

Waiting periods must be served before benefits are paid. They apply to:

New members.
Existing HCF members who upgrade to a higher level of cover or reduce excess payable. In this case, you need to serve the necessary waiting period for the higher benefit entitlement.
Members who switch from another fund who have not already completed the required waiting period for equivalent benefits.
New dependants, unless they switch from another fund where they have completed the required waiting period for equivalent benefits.
Treatment of a pre-existing ailment.

Waiting periods vary according to the type of treatment or service. A summary of applicable waiting periods is included in the policy fact sheets.

If you join under a waiver, waiting periods are only waived for services with waiting periods equal to or less than the waiver. All other waiting periods in excess of the waiver apply. Waivers are only available to new members taking both Hospital and Extras cover.

For example, if you join under a promotional waiver for 2 month waiting periods, you will only be able to instantly access those services that have waiting periods that are 2 months or less. Waiting periods of more than 2 months will still apply.

Psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care services which have a 2 month waiting period as well as pregnancy & birth-related services and any pre-existing conditions are excluded from all/any waiver offers.

Pre-existing ailments or conditions

A pre-existing ailment or condition is an ailment or illness or a condition where the signs or symptoms existed any time during the six months before a member joined or upgraded to a higher level of cover, even though a diagnosis may not have been made. If there is any doubt as to whether an ailment or condition is pre-existing, a medical practitioner appointed by HCF will examine information provided by
your doctor, together with other relevant claim details.

The waiting period for a pre-existing ailment is 12 months.

A summary of applicable waiting periods are included in the policy fact sheets.

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.