It's time to understand flexible extras cover and all the preventative health benefits that come with it.
A lot of health funds say they offer flexible health cover. Extras cover is the part of health insurance that covers
non-hospital treatment. Dental, optical, physio, natural therapies and a range of other health services can be
included.
Getting covered for these everyday medical services is great and all – but it can be hard to predict which ones
you’ll actually need, and how much you’ll use them.
This is where flexible extras cover comes in. It sounds good, right? But what does “flexible” really
mean?
What does flexible extras cover mean?
Different health funds might give you different answers on this one. But at HBF, we’ve got a pretty good
example for you.
It’s called Flex 50 extras cover.
With Flex 50, it’s a simple concept: You get $800 to split how you like across 12 popular services.
You could use all of that $800 combined annual limit on Physio if you like, or you could split it up. Maybe some on Physio, a little on Preventative Dental and the rest on Chiro! It’s up to you. Please note, you can claim a maximum of $200 per year on Natural Therapies (which includes Remedial Massage).
On top of that, you get a separate $200 annual limit to use on Optical. Plus unlimited Urgent Ambulance cover by road.
Another good thing is that you get at least 50% back every time you claim on a covered service. This applies across all providers recognised by HBF. That means you’ve got the flexibility to choose from a huge range of providers, and you don’t have to hunt for a ‘preferred’ provider in order to get at least 50% back.
Winner! 2023 Canstar Outstanding Value Extras Cover WA
HBF is thrilled to be awarded another winning spot for our Extras cover in WA. We're always here to help our members get the most out of their cover.
Find out more
On paper, it looks a bit like this:
You can checkout Flex 50 Extras for more details.
. . . Or check out Flex 60 Extras, which is basically the same but with higher limits and better benefits.
How does flexible extras cover work?
So how does all this “flexibility” work? And how could it come in handy?
Well, let’s use an example. Imagine a family that needs extras cover. Flexible extras cover could come in handy
for Mum, Dad and kids.
Meet our imaginary family, the Webbers.
Dad Mike works in a warehouse for a logistics company. Mum Narelle runs her own business, chases after two kids, and plays social netball on Tuesday nights.
Their kids are 8-year-old BMX-mad Jack and 11-year-old future YouTube star Sophie.
They’re all covered under Flex 60 (yes, they went for the bigger version of Flex 50), which means they each get their own separate $1,000 annual
limit – and they can all use it differently. This is just as well, because they’re all about to have
very different years.
The Webbers year of Extras claims
Disclaimer
The Webber family is fictional and this scenario is hypothetical. The Webbers’ claiming activity and treatment choices are for demonstration purposes only and should not be taken as a recommendation of treatment or an indication of service fees.
Here’s what Mum claimed
Narelle’s Tuesday night netball game ended in disaster when she landed awkwardly on her knee. She was on the bench for a few weeks, and needed physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy visits: $780
Flex 60: Thanks to the $1000 combined limit, Narelle knows she will be covered. She will receive $468 – or 60% – back from HBF.
Here’s what Dad claimed
Lifting boxes in the warehouse all day sometimes leaves Mike with a sore back. After grumbling about it for months
he’s finally decided to visit the doctor.
Mike’s GP recommends several visits to a chiropractor. Mike thinks a remedial massage couldn’t
hurt, either.
Chiropractor visits: $550
Remedial Massage: $220
Total: $770
Flex 60: Unlike Mike’s back, his Extras cover is flexible. That means he can claim the cost of both his chiro and remedial massage under the Flex 60 $1,000 combined annual limit. He’ll receive the full 60% back for both – that’s $462 back from HBF.
IMPORTANT: Remedial Massage has an annual sub-limit of $250, so Mike couldn’t claim much more on that specific service this year.
Here’s what Sophie claimed
Sophie’s decided to start a YouTube channel about long-distance running. She logs (and vlogs) about 40 kilometres before developing shin splints. Narelle decides to take her to an osteopath to see if they can help.
Osteopathy fees: $400
Great content for YouTube: Priceless
Flex 60: Under Flex 60, osteopathy is covered with other services up to a combined $1,000 limit. The claims made on behalf of Sophie result in $240 back into Mum and Dad's pockets.
Here’s what Jack claimed
Jack is a rough-and-tumble kid and, unfortunately, he keeps taking tumbles. On summer holiday he was doing jumps on
his BMX and stacked it. He broke a tooth, and smashed his glasses. A few months later he managed to do it again,
this time rolling an ankle. During a hospital visit for the ankle, a doctor recommended Jack sees a physio.
Major dental fees : $650
Physiotherapy visits: $300
New glasses: $200
Cost to 8-year-old pride: Beyond measure
Total: $1150
Flex 60: Major Dental and physio are covered under the $1,000 combined annual limit, so Mum and Dad can claim the full 60% - or $570 back for Jack's troubles. Optical has a separate limit of $220, which means Jack’s $200 glasses are fully covered with no out-of-pocket. Hopefully the new glasses will last him at least until next calendar year, when the annual limit resets.
The benefits of flexible extras cover
The Webbers paid $3,100 for various treatment and received $1,940 back from HBF.
The flexibility of Flex 60 meant they received benefits back on everything they needed treatment for throughout the year. Even though their year threw some curveballs, they had peace of mind knowing they were covered.
If you’re looking for extras cover that flexes with your needs, take a look at our Flex 60 option.
Extras explained – how much do I get back?
Certainty feels good, that’s why we’ve created a line-up of extras options that give you a guaranteed % back^ on your visits to popular services like Physio, Chiro, and Dental.
Explore HBF Extras
Disclaimer
This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation
or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider
whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.
Across all HBF products and services, benefits are payable up to applicable annual limits and only for services
and programs approved by HBF and delivered by providers that are approved by HBF.
Waiting periods may apply before benefits are payable.
1) HBF will cover the cost for urgent ambulance transport by road only for circumstances classified as emergency or urgent. HBF does not cover air ambulance.
^Annual limits and waiting periods apply. Percentage back benefits are payable for services, programs and providers approved by HBF, when provider charges in accordance with the Member Plus schedule fee. Excludes Basic Extras and closed products.