COVID-19 member updates

In light of COVID-19 infections across the country, hospitals and some other medical facilities may be required to screen and test patients for COVID-19 via a RAT on the date of admission in line with State Government guidelines.

In all instances where a charge has been applied, we expect the following minimum standards to be applied:

• Each member is provided with clear guidance on preadmission requirements before presenting at the hospital for admission;
• Members are provided with choice as to whether they supply their own test; and
• If fees are charged for provision of a RAT kit that these fees are reasonable and does not exceed $20.

Public hospitals will not charge for testing.

If you’re an eligible member^* and are experiencing financial hardship, we're here to help. We have these support measures in place:

1. If you are in receipt of the JobSeeker payment:
   • AND have been a member for 1+ years: you may be eligible to suspend your policy for up to 15 months depending on your length of membership with us.
   • AND have been a member for 3+ years: you may be eligible for up to 9 months of complimentary cover, depending on your length of membership with us.
2. If you are not receiving the JobSeeker payment:
   • AND have been with us more than 1 month^*: you may be eligible to suspend your policy for up to 6 months.

Just give our friendly Member Contact Centre a call on 133 423 and they will happily help discuss your options with you.

At HBF, so long as you have an active eligible hospital policy^* and served your standard 2 month waiting period , we will pay benefits towards chest, heart, lung and kidney hospital admissions related to any COVID-19 treatment^*, including those resulting from vaccine side effects. This is a temporary benefit we’re making available, no matter what level of eligible hospital cover you have.

This temporary benefit is available until 1 April 2023.

If you need cover for any of the excluded services, you may want to compare your other options.