Health cover changes

Some of our cover options changed on
1 January 2022

What has changed with HBF’s health cover?

  • In order to keep delivering affordable and valuable health insurance to our members, some cover options will no longer be available. If you held one of these covers, you would have been transferred to a new product on 1 January 2022. Read more in the Product Transfer Frequently Asked Questions.
  • We have also made changes to some cover options. If you hold one of these covers, you need to know what has changed. Read more in the Product Change Frequently Asked Questions.
  • These changes took effect on 1 January 2022.
  • If these changes affect you, you would have received an alert on myHBF, an email or a letter with further details.

Find answers to some frequently asked questions below.
If you still have questions, you can call us on 1300 550 296 or book a branch visit.

Frequently asked questions

Product Transfer

Why has my cover changed?

Our priority is to remain a sustainable, member-focused organisation that continues to provide affordable and valuable health insurance products for all our members.

As the health insurance market changes over time, we need to continuously review and assess the range of products we offer and the coverage they provide.

Our recent review has shown that our products need to change in order to make health cover simpler for all our members at a reasonable price.

Why did you choose this new cover for me?

The new cover chosen takes into consideration the closest match to your current cover, including the services covered and the premiums you pay. If you would prefer to select a cover that is different to the one chosen for you, we can help find another that may better suit your needs.

Can I choose a different level of excess?

Yes. On most of our products, we offer multiple hospital excess levels. These excess levels will be dependent on the hospital products you choose to be transferred to.

What do I do if I have an upcoming Hospital or Extras treatment for an affected service?

Hospital treatment

As of 1 January 2022, you will be able to claim for hospital services under your new hospital cover. There is a cooling off period until 30 January where you can change your Hospital product and level of excess to another cover that suits your needs, without needing to re-serve waiting periods. If you pre-booked your admission or received a quote from HBF before 31 December 2021, we will honour your previous excess for that booked admission.

Extras treatment 

As of 1 January 2022, you will only be able to claim for extras services on your new extras cover. 

There is a grace period until 1 March 2022, where you can change your Extras to a product that covers a service you were previously covered for and have your waiting period waived for that specific service.

What waiting periods will I have to serve now that I have transferred to the new cover you have selected for me?

You won’t have waiting periods for any additional coverage, provided you have served all waiting periods on your previous cover. If you have any upcoming treatment, please contact us to receive a benefit quote.

Frequently asked questions

Product Changes

Why has my cover changed?

Our priority is to remain a sustainable, member-focused organisation that continues to provide affordable and valuable health insurance products for all our members. 

As the health insurance market changes over time, we need to continuously review and assess the range of products we offer and the coverage they provide. 

Our recent review has shown that our products need to change in order to make health cover simpler for all our members at a reasonable price.

Have my dental benefits changed at 1 January 2022?

We have made some changes to set dental benefits on some health covers. We have summarised these changes in the Change Summary for your cover sent to members in October 2021. For a full list of your dental benefits available at 1 January 2022, please refer to the new Dental Schedule for 1 January 2022.

If you have a health cover with percentage benefits for dental, this percentage will not change.

What are my waiting periods for the new services, benefits or limits on my cover?

You won’t have waiting periods for any additional coverage, provided you have served all waiting periods on your current cover. If you have any upcoming treatment, please contact us for a benefit quote.

What is an orthodontic lifetime limit?

The total amount of benefits you can receive for orthodontic treatment in your lifetime. Orthodontic benefits that you receive from all health funds count towards your Lifetime Limit. If you’ve claimed for orthodontics and reach your lifetime limit, HBF will not pay any further benefits towards orthodontic treatment for the duration of your membership with HBF, even if you cancel your policy and re-join in future. Read more about orthodontics.

Will I still get my fully covered scale and clean?

You can still get 100% back on your first scale and clean each calendar year at a Member Plus provider, subject to not exceeding your annual limit. If you have used all of your annual limit, you would need to wait until the next calendar year to receive a benefit for this service.

If you are a member who has been impacted by this change, please consider the information on this page in conjunction with the communication sent to you.

Get in touch with HBF

We'll help you find our best cover that suits your needs.

Call
133 423
Email HBF