Gap Saver
Find out how GapSaver works and how you can use it to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
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This product is no longer available for sale. This means if you’re an HBF member with GapSaver on an existing policy (as at 14 January 2019), your cover will continue at your current annual amount, but you are unable to select a different annual amount.
If you choose to remove GapSaver from your existing policy, you will still be able to use your accumulated benefit whilst you remain on your HBF policy however you will not be able to re-add GapSaver at a later date.
What is GapSaver?
GapSaver is an add-on product that can be used to help cover out-of-pocket expenses on eligible claims. GapSaver can only be used when you are entitled to a benefit under your hospital or extras cover and helps cover the gap between what a provider charged you for a service, and the benefit paid under your HBF hospital or extras cover.
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How does it work?
GapSaver benefits accrue quarterly and what you accrue is based on the level of GapSaver you hold.
If you hold extras cover:
- GapSaver can help cover the cost of any out-of-pocket expense for services you can receive an extras benefit for.
- This means it has to be for a service that is included under your extras cover and you must not have reached your annual or lifetime limit for the service.
If you hold hospital cover:
- GapSaver can help cover the cost of any out-of-pocket expense when you are admitted to hospital in relation to an included hospital service.
- This includes medical gaps, hospital excess, pharmaceutical co-payments and sundry charges.
If you hold an HBF extras cover, this is an example of how GapSaver could work when you visit the dentist:
| Total bills | $200 |
| Your HBF extras covers | $120 |
| Out-of-pocket expense | $80 |
| Your GapSaver accrued benefits at the time of appointment | $800 |
| GapSaver benefit to cover your out of pocket expenses | $80 |
| Remaining GapSaver accrued benefits after this claim | $720 |
| Total amount you pay | $0 |
How to use your GapSaver benefits
You can use your GapSaver benefits in three easy steps:
- Check your GapSaver accrued benefits and your claiming preferences in myHBF.
- Choose to automatically use your GapSaver benefits whenever you make a Hospital and/or Extras claim by updating your preferences in myHBF.
- If you've selected to automatically use your accrued benefits and there is a gap between the amount charged by the provider and the benefit that HBF pays, your accrued benefits will be applied when you claim. Remember, the benefits we pay for a claim are based on your accrued benefits at the time you received the treatment or service you are claiming for. If you haven't selected a preference, you can call us on 133 423 to request that we apply your accrued benefits to your nominated claims.
Things to look out for
GapSaver can only be used while you're an HBF member and unused benefits are not refundable, so it's important you use them while you hold an HBF membership.
It's important to note that while you can accumulate benefits over time, the benefits we pay are based on your accrued benefits at the time you received the treatment or service you are claiming for.
GapSaver can't be used for:
- Charges for procedures without an MBS item number when admitted and treated in hospital
- Any procedures or services not covered by your policy
- Any out-of-pocket expenses incurred after your Extras maximum entitlements have been reached
- Services for which you haven't completed the standard waiting periods
For more details about how GapSaver can be used, please call us on 133 423.
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