Switch to HBF
Why switch to HBF?
Affordable hospital cover from just * per week
100% back on some extras services
Mix & match our Hospital and Extras products
We're not-for-profit, so members come first
Join in two simple steps
Choose cover that suits your needs
Let us do the paperwork
When you sign up, simply tell us the name of your current health fund and your member number (sometimes called policy number) and we’ll handle all the transfer paperwork for you.
Compare cover options
Get up to 14 weeks FREE on us
Ready to switch?
- No need to re-serve waiting periods.*
If you hold similar cover with another fund, we’ll honour any waiting periods you already served with them. See below for more details. - 30 day cooling off period.
You have 30 days from your cover’s start date to get a full refund if you change your mind, so long as you haven’t claimed. - No obligations health cover check.
Are you on the right health cover? Have a chat with us and get an expert recommendation, no strings attached. Just call 133 423.
HBF makes switching easy
Things you should know about switching to HBF
Waiting periods when you switch
If you switch to HBF within two months of leaving another Australian health fund, you won’t have to re-serve any waiting periods that you have already served with your previous insurer. For waiting periods that have been partly served, you’ll only have to serve the remainder of the waiting period before being eligible to claim benefits.
Waiting periods will apply for any new services you were not covered for previously, for any higher benefits and/or higher annual limits, and if you decrease your hospital cover excess level.
Annual limits on extras cover
Any claims you have made with your previous fund this calendar year will result in an adjustment of the annual limit you can claim with us for the rest of the year. For example, if you have claimed $300 on Occupational Therapy with your current fund and you join HBF on Top 70, which has an annual limit of $400, you may only be able to claim $100 with us this calendar year. Remember, most extras annual limits reset on 1 January each year.
If your new HBF cover has a service with a lifetime limit, we will take into account all claims you have made for that service previously, regardless of the year they were made.
100% back on some extras services
Pair of glasses
Flu vaccination
Frequently asked questions
Why does HBF have waiting periods?
All health funds, including HBF, have waiting periods to help stop people from signing up, claiming and leaving without contributing money (premiums) to the fund - which wouldn't be fair to other members.
Waiting periods apply when you:
- Purchase health insurance for the first time
- Change your level of cover and end up with new services that were not on your previous cover. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods for the new services before you can claim any benefits
- Change your level of cover and end up with higher benefits and/or limits. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods before you can claim the increased benefits and/or limits. During this waiting period, you may be able to claim as per your previous cover
- Decrease your hospital excess. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods before you can pay the lower excess. During this waiting period, you may be able to claim and the excess on your previous cover will apply
- Re-join a fund after a break from cover
Where you have continuous hospital cover and change your level of cover or switch to HBF, we'll honour any waiting periods you served on your previous health cover, so you won't have to re-serve them. If you are part-way through a waiting period, you'll just have to serve the remainder before you can claim.
Will the lifetime health cover loading still apply if I switch health funds?
Yes, your lifetime health cover loading status stays the same even when you switch health funds.
Is there HBF Hospital cover with no waiting period?
All HBF Hospital covers have waiting periods to prevent people from signing up, claiming and leaving without contributing money (premiums) to the fund — which wouldn't be fair to other members.
Waiting periods apply when you:
- Purchase health insurance for the first time
- Change your level of cover and end up with new services that were not on your previous cover. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods for the new services before you can claim any benefits.
- Change your level of cover and end up with higher benefits and/or limits. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods before you can claim the increased benefits and/or limits. During this waiting period, you may be able to claim as per your previous cover.
- Decrease your hospital excess. You'll have to serve the relevant waiting periods before you can pay the lower excess. During this waiting period, you may be able to claim and the excess on your previous cover will apply.
- Re-join a fund after a break from cover
Where you have continuous hospital cover and change your level of cover or switch to HBF, we'll honour any waiting periods you served on your previous health cover, so you won't have to re-serve them. If you are part-way through a waiting period, you'll just have to serve the remainder before you can claim.
Pre-existing conditions: 12 months
Pregnancy and birth: 12 months
Other in-hospital treatments: 2 months
What is a not-for-profit health fund?
HBF is a not-for-profit health fund. A not-for-profit uses any money it makes to further its business objectives and cover the cost of running the business, like paying utilities bills and staff. Any surplus earnings (profits) are also used to help further the not-for-profit's mission.
For-profit businesses have the same overheads as not-for-profits, however they use some or all profits to pay shareholders or investors.
