FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

What are the maximum waiting periods for HBF hospital insurance?

The Australian Government sets the maximum waiting periods that health funds can impose on hospital insurance before you can make a claim. The maximum amount of time you'll have to wait before making a claim is:

Pre-existing conditions: 12 months
Pregnancy and birth: 12 months
Other in-hospital treatments: Two months

At HBF, a pre-existing condition is an illness or condition which, in the opinion of an independent medical practitioner (appointed by HBF), was known to exist, or where signs or symptoms were evident during the six-month period before you became an HBF member, including on the day you joined. This also applies if you transferred to a level of cover with higher benefits or reduce your excess level. If you proceed with a hospital admission without confirming what benefits you're eligible for and your condition is determined to be pre-existing, you will be required to pay all outstanding hospital and medical charges not covered by Medicare.

It is not necessary for the ailment, illness or condition to have been diagnosed in the six-month period — only that signs or symptoms were, or would have been, evident.

Note: Hospital psychiatric services, Rehabilitation and Palliative care are not considered pre-existing so only the two-month waiting period applies.