
HBF Member Plus Dental FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What value do members get when they choose an HBF Member Plus dental provider?
At an HBF Member Plus dental provider, eligible* HBF members can get:
Why should a dental practice join HBF Member Plus?
There are several advantages to joining the HBF Member Plus Dental Network, including:
- Ability to promote percentage benefits to Eligible Members for Preventative Services and a no gap experience on Preventative Services to Eligible Members on the highest levels of extras cover. These percentages are 75%, 85% or 100% back depending on the member’s level of cover and up to their annual limit
- Ability to promote and provide one fully covered scale and clean to Eligible Members per calendar year
- Ability to promote the practice as an HBF Member Plus Dental Practice and ability to promote Practitioners at the practice as HBF Member Plus Dental Providers
- Inclusion in HBF’s ‘Find a Health Provider’ online directory
- Promotion of the HBF Member Plus dental network via HBF marketing campaigns
- Exposure to HBF’s ~890,000 members across WA (According to APRA data at 30 June 2024)
Who can apply to become an HBF Member Plus dental practice?
We invite applications from interested dental practices located in Western Australia. There is no restriction on the number of practices accepted to join the HBF Member Plus dental network.
Once accepted, an Agreement between HBF and a Practice Representative will be prepared which will cover all Practitioners at the location. The Practice Representative is generally the business owner, business partner, or the principal dentist. We do not accept practice managers as the Practice Representative.
A Practice Representative must be authorised by all Practitioners at the practice to enter into the Agreement on their behalf. It is the responsibility of the Practice Representative to uphold the Terms of the Agreement with all Practitioners. If any Practitioners at the dental practice do not wish to comply with the Terms of the Agreement, then you are not eligible to be an HBF Member Plus Dental Practice.
What is the application eligibility criteria for the HBF Member Plus dental arrangement?
The dental practice must comply with the following criteria to be considered for an HBF Member Plus Dental Agreement:
- All dentists and dental prosthetists at the practice must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and HBF
- The dental practice must provide and intend to continue to provide Preventative Services at a minimum of scale and clean and/or provision of mouthguards (Minimal Services)
- The dental practice must be registered for electronic claiming
- The intended Practice Representative who will agree to the Terms of the Dental Agreement and Collection Statement must be authorised to act for and sign on behalf of all Practitioners at the practice
Specialists (such as Periodontists and Oral Surgeons) and those who do not provide the Minimum Services are not eligible to join as HBF Member Plus providers. However, having specialists at the practice will not prevent that practice from being eligible for HBF Member Plus, assuming all Practitioners who are eligible provide the Minimum Services and the practice meets all other criteria required by HBF.
How do I apply to become an HBF Member Plus dental practice?
To become a HBF Member Plus dental practice email dentalnetwork@hbf.com.au or contact us on 1300 810 475.
When will I know if my application to become an HBF Member Plus dental practice has been accepted?
We will email the Practice Representative within five business days of receiving your application to advise whether your application has been accepted or declined.
What if some practitioners at a practice want to be HBF Member Plus, and some don't?
For the practice to be eligible to apply for a Member Plus Agreement, all Practitioners at the practice who provide the Minimum Services must agree to be on the Agreement. If there are Practitioners at a practice who do not wish to join HBF Member Plus, then that dental practice is not eligible to become an HBF Member Plus dental practice.
If I own multiple dental practices, can I apply for them to all join the HBF Member Plus network?
We invite all interested practices to apply for an HBF Member Plus Dental Agreement. If you own multiple practices, please submit an individual application for each practice. We will review and consider each practice individually.
If I plan to sell or purchase an HBF Member Plus dental practice, does the Agreement continue?
The Practice Representative must inform us of any change in control of the practice prior to such change occurring. Any change to the control of the practice or Practice Representative will require a new application for an HBF Member Plus Agreement to be submitted. Re-acceptance onto the HBF Member Plus Agreement for the new owners/Practice Representative is not guaranteed.
Can I add or remove practitioners from the HBF Member Plus Agreement?
The Practice Representative can request to add new and remove departing Practitioners from an Agreement. The Practice Representative is required to give us at least seven days’ notice of any Practitioner who is proposed to commence or cease to provide Eligible Services at the Practice. All new Practitioners are subject to review and approval.
You cannot change the Practice Representative without triggering a termination of the Agreement. In all instances where the Practice Representative changes, the Agreement will be terminated and a new HBF Member Plus application must be submitted.
What do I need to know about the HBF Dental Schedule and Maximum Fees?
HBF Member Plus Practices cannot charge more than the set fees in the HBF Dental Schedule. The HBF Dental Schedule focuses on Preventative Services. It is closely aligned with the Diagnostic and Preventative categories in The Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary. The only exception is item number D118 which falls into HBF’s General Restorative category.
The maximum fees have been determined following a detailed review of the Australian Dental Association’s average fees and fees identified from our claims history.
We will review the HBF Dental Schedule at our discretion, and when doing so will keep in mind the cost effect of fee changes on member’s premiums. At a minimum, we will review the item numbers and maximum fees on the HBF Dental Schedule when there is a change to those item numbers in The Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary.
The practice is not required to offer all services on the HBF Dental Schedule. However, all Practitioners at the practice must offer the Minimum Services.
What are the Minimum Services included on the HBF Dental Schedule?
The Minimum Services are a scale and clean and/or the provision of mouthguards. All Practitioners (excluding specialists) at the practice must provide the Minimum Services for the practice to be eligible to apply for HBF Member Plus.
Can HBF Member Plus dental practices offer discounts/charge less than the dental schedule fees?
Yes. Member Plus Practices may offer discounts on services if they wish, including discounts on Preventative Services on the HBF Dental Schedule. However, any discounts must be subtracted from the fee prior to submitting a claim to HBF.
I will be the Practice Representative for the purposes of the HBF Member Plus Dental Agreement. What do I need to know?
As a Practice Representative, you must ensure that all Practitioners will charge Eligible Members no more than the maximum fee for all services on the HBF Dental Schedule.
Where overcharges occur, you accept all responsibility and liability for ensuring the appropriate remediation actions are taken and repayments occur as directed by HBF.
You should read the Terms and Conditions of the Agreement to fully understand your obligations and rights, including your rights to terminate.
Glossary
Agreement means all current HBF Member Plus Dental Agreements.
Eligible Member means a person who:
- Holds or is covered by an ancillary private health insurance policy issued by HBF that is financial at the time a Service is provided and that provides benefits;
- Receives a Service that is covered under their ancillary private health insurance policy issued by HBF; and
- Has served all waiting periods applicable to the Service.
HBF Dental Schedule refers to the list of maximum prices for Eligible Services, which can be obtained via email or phone.
Minimum Services means Preventative Services, which must include a scale and clean and/or the provision of mouthguards.
Practitioner means a qualified dentist or prosthetist who:
- Is registered with AHPRA; and
- Has been issued with a provider number by Medicare Australia; and
- Recognised as a provider with HBF; and
- Provides Minimum Services from the Practice.
Preventative Services is closely aligned with the Diagnostic and Preventative categories in The Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary. Specifically, item numbers D011 to D171 with the exception of item number D118 which falls into HBF’s General Restorative category.
Service means any dental service including an Eligible Service.
Eligible Service means an item set out in the HBF Dental Schedule.
Specialist means a specialist Practitioner such as an oral surgeon or periodontist.
Contact us
HBF ancillary relations
1300 810 475
8am-4pm AWST*
ancillaryproviders@hbf.com.au
*Monday – Friday – Closed public holidays
HBF provider registration
1300 810 475
8am-4pm AWST*
provreg@hbf.com.au
*Monday – Friday – Closed public holidays