How to save

Save with the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance

Until 1 July 2012, if you are eligible for Medicare benefits you can receive a saving of 30% or more with the Federal Government 30% Rebate on private health insurance. The table below outlines how much you can claim.

As of 1 July 2012, the rebate will be means-tested based on your annual income. You can see if you are eligible by finding your annual household income in the chart below.

Income thresholds will be based on Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earning (AWOTE). Single parents and couples (including de facto couples) are subject to the family tiers. For families with children, the thresholds are increased by $1,500 for each child after the first.

*Payable in addition to the 1.5% Medicare Levy if you don't have eligible hospital cover.

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Reduce your tax

Avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge just by taking out private hospital cover.^

^HBF is not a Tax Agent Service. Health fund members should seek the advice of their tax advisor or the ATO before purchasing a policy.

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Join early and save

Avoid having to pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading by taking out hospital cover by the 1st of July following your 31st birthday.

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Direct Debit

Selecting this payment option will save you 4% on your health insurance premiums, excluding GapSaver, plus your payments are conveniently deducted from your chosen account.

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Excess

This is a simple way to reduce your premium without reducing your level of cover. An excess is only paid when you need to stay in hospital overnight and is only paid once per adult member, per calendar year, to a maximum of twice per family policy. This means if you don’t have an overnight hospital stay, you don’t have to pay the excess. Or if you’re admitted to hospital several times in one year, you’ll still only pay the excess once. You don’t need to pay an excess for any dependant children on your policy.

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Claim more

We want you to get the most out of your health insurance cover and the best way to do this is claim more! Make sure you use your fully covered scale and clean each year from a participating provider. Did you know that when you are on a couples policy, we still treat you as an individual and generally pay individual limits?

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Participating Dentists and Optical Stores

Visit a Participating Dentist. We have agreements with hundreds more dentists in WA than any other fund, which means less out-of-pocket expense for you. You can find your closest Participating Dentist here. With Essentials or Twin Packs, you get either 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% back for general dental when you visit an HBF Participating Dentist (that includes dentists and prosthetists). PLUS, we’ve arranged for all of our members to get a fully covered scale and clean every year, so no excuse not to go to the dentist!

Need new glasses? We have many Participating Optical Stores in WA. Visit one of these stores and you’ll get hundreds more frames fully covered, plus at least 20% discount on most designer frames in addition to your usual benefit.

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Minimise out-of pocket expenses in hospital

Being treated in hospital is worrying enough without the added concern of having to pay out-of-pocket expenses.
There are two ways to minimise your out-of-pocket expenses:

1. Check if your medical practitioner has a fully covered arrangement with HBF beforehand (if possible)
2. Add GapSaver to your policy to minimise out-of-pocket costs for any Hospital or Essentials treatments.

For more information on how you can save, call us.

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