Loss of cognitive function or decision-making abilities
There may be someone in your life who isn’t able to make informed choices. Whether it’s dementia, mental illness, a
cognitive disability or an acquired brain injury, there are ways that decisions can be made in the best interests of the
person who can’t make informed decisions for themselves.
How HBF can help
A legally authorised representative can be added to manage the member’s policy. This is usually someone who has legal
authority to act on a member’s behalf.
As we’re dealing with personal information and finances, HBF usually requires evidence that the person is appointed a
legally authorised representative and depending on what state you live in, this might come in the form of an Enduring
Power of Attorney or another legally appointed role.
If you have any questions about becoming the legally appointed representative for another members policy, please give us
a call on 133 423 and we can discuss your options.
Adult children with a decision-making disability
You may have a child or dependant on your policy with an intellectual disability. When they turn 18, they become an
adult and legally entitled to make their own decisions. We outline below how you can support them in making decisions
about their health cover.
How HBF can help
Dependants can stay on your policy until the age of 25. After this, depending on their ability to make informed
decisions, we can work with them to set them up on their own policy. If they lack the capacity to make decisions in
their own best interests, HBF will require you to appoint a guardian or an administrator to their policy.
A good resource for a parent or guardian of a child with a decision-making disability if you're based in WA, is the Office of the Public Advocate. It is an independent office that promotes and protects the rights of adults with decision-making
disabilities to reduce their risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse.