It's easy to find out how much health cover costs. But it's a little more difficult to see what you get in return.
If you’re comparing funds, it can be tempting to save a few dollars each month on your premiums. But when you need it most (and make a claim) the difference can become more than just a few dollars.
So with the help of the figures in the Government's PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011, why not compare what really counts.
Compare the percentage of premiums returned to members as benefits.
Compare the percentage of in-patient medical services in WA fully covered (which means no out-of-pocket for you).
What percentage of hospital related charges (like accommodation) are covered by the major funds in WA?
Compare how much you get back on the most used Essentials service – dental.
See how many participating hospitals, dentists and optical stores in WA you can choose from.
Which health fund has the lowest complaints to market share ratio?
Choose the fund with the most branches in WA and a local call centre.
Health cover can be confusing, so choose a health fund that has people in hospitals for you to talk to if you need a hand.
Which fund puts their money where their mouth is and gives you discounts on health and fitness events (and home, car and travel insurance)?
We’re not-for-profit. We don’t have shareholders to pay, which means we put more money back in your pocket when you claim. We give 87.5% of all member premiums back in benefits. More than the other major funds in WA.
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011. Based on total fund benefits paid as a percentage of premiums.
Not many of us expect to have to go into hospital. But in fact each year around 1 in 5 HBF members with hospital cover make a hospital claim. So if you’re an HBF member, it’s good to know that we have the highest percentage of in-patient medical services in WA covered with no gap.
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011.
As well as having fewer gaps on hospital medical charges, HBF members are covered for 94.3% of hospital related charges in WA (things like theatre, accommodation costs, prostheses and in-hospital pharmacy) – more than other major health funds.
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011.
On average, our members get back about half of all Essentials charges for the services we cover (things like dental, optical, physio, chiro and podiatry). And for the most utilised Essentials service – dental – we give our members more back on the services we cover than any other major health fund in WA. And we have no annual limits on general dental (except on Dental Saver and Smart Saver TwinPack).
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011.
We have the largest network of participating hospitals and dental providers in WA by far. With over 700 participating dentists, 38 participating hospitals and many participating optical providers, you’ll never have to go too far to find one.
Even though we have more participating dentists and optical stores in WA than any other fund, you can always visit any registered dentist or optical store and still receive a benefit. But you can lower any out of pocket expenses by visiting a participating provider and get a fully covered scale and clean each calendar year at a participating dentist.
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011.
We have over half a million members who have been with us for over ten years. And no other fund has fewer complaints made to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman than HBF, relative to market share. That’s no other fund in Australia, but here’s how our complaints to market share ratio stacks up against the other major funds in WA.
Source: PHIO State of the Health Funds Report 2011.
Unlike some eastern states funds, we have 19 branches here so you can speak to someone face-to-face when you need them most. And if you want to call us, our team are on the same time as you are. We’re proud to have served West Australians for 70 years.
We have six dedicated Hospital Liaison Officers (one other fund has a couple in WA, the rest don’t have any). They’re there when our members need us most; helping you understand your hospital cover, and any other queries you may have during a stay in hospital. On average, we contact 85% of our members in private hospitals.
Throughout the year we provide opportunities to help you be physically active by holding free group fitness sessions and giving our members discounts on triathlon and fitness events. This is our way of not only making exercise fun, but also helping our members to get fit and healthy.
HBF members also get discounts for car, home and travel insurance, which can be worth a lot of money.
Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm
Sat: 8am - 1pm
For international enquiries, call us on +618 9265 6111
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