HBF overview

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fund-iconOverview

HBF, which stands for Hospital Benefit Fund, is based in Western Australia and has been providing health cover to Australians since 1941. Their mascot is the famous WA quokka.

HBF is a not-for-profit fund, owned by more than a million members. The fund offers
a range of policies, from budget cover through to comprehensive plans.

Members receive discounts on health-related products and services, along with free health coaching over the phone.

fund-iconKey features

  • Discounts on gym memberships and fitness apparel
  • HBF app for claiming on the go
  • Annual flu vaccination for members

fund-iconHospital cover

Nobody chooses to go to hospital. But when you do, hospital cover will help you get the treatment you need, where and when you want it. It also helps to pay the bills, as fees for hospital rooms and specialists can add up.

Think about what services you’re likely to need, in line with your budget. If you earn over $90,000 individually or $180,000 as a couple, you could avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

HBF offers five hospital plans for a variety of ages, life stages and budgets. Each level of cover, from Basic to Gold, builds on the level before it.

Basic Hospital Plus

Low cost hospital cover that covers the basics that also covers you for your own private room at HBF’s Member Plus hospitals. Designed for budget-conscious singles and couples, particularly those looking to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Key inclusions:

  • Emergency ambulance
  • Gynaecology
  • Joint reconstructions
  • Dental surgery
Bronze Hospital Plus

This policy is more comprehensive than Basic Hospital Plus, but it doesn’t include pregnancy and birth or common conditions that affect older Australians like cataracts.

Key inclusions:

  • Ear, nose and throat
  • Chemo, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer
  • Gastrointestinal endoscopy
Silver Hospital

Mid-range hospital cover for a wide selection of services. It includes heart and vascular, and hearing devices, so may be suitable for some older Australians.

Key inclusions:

  • Heart and vascular system
  • Podiatric surgery
  • Implantation of hearing devices
Silver Hospital Plus

Premium hospital cover for most services, excluding just a few like obstetrics and weight loss surgery.

Key inclusions:

  • Rehabilitation
  • Join replacements
  • Cataracts
Gold Hospital

This is the top cover with no exclusions. It includes pregnancy and birth, so is suitable for those looking to start a family.

Key inclusions:

  • Pregnancy and birth
  • Assisted reproductive services
  • Kidney dialysis
  • Weight loss surgery

fund-iconAmbulance cover

All HBF extras, hospital and combined policies have emergency ambulance cover included (excluding air ambulance).

fund-iconExtras cover

extras-coverExtras reset

From dental, to optical, to chiro and more, extras insurance helps cover the bills for routine treatments with rebates of up to 100%.

We’ve summarised the key points of each plan below but it’s always worth digging a little deeper. Look at gap fees, how much you can claim back, and whether your preferred healthcare provider, such as your local dentist, has an agreement with the health fund.

Take the time to work out what you need and what you’re prepared to pay. If this feels a bit overwhelming, you can speak to one of our experts who can talk you through what’s included in each extras policy.

HBF offers five extras policies to suit a range of needs. You can purchase a policy on its own or combine it with hospital cover.

Basic Extras

A budget extras option with a standard 2 month waiting period that covers everyday health costs such as general dental, optical, chiro and physio.

Flex 50

Offers 50% or more back on 12 common services including major dental, remedial massage, and natural therapies.

Flex 60

Similar to the Flex 50 package but with higher rebates of 60% or over, and a larger annual limit.

Complete 60

More comprehensive than the Flex 60, the Complete 60 offers cover for a wide range of extras services, including orthodontics and psychology, with 60% or more back.

Top 70

HBF’s most expensive extras package, this option gives you access to HBF’s full range of treatments and services, such as podiatry, with 70% or more back.

fund-iconWaiting periods

To stop people signing up, claiming, then cancelling their health insurance, all insurers apply waiting periods. Generally, the more expensive the treatment, the longer you’ll wait. But keep an eye out for special deals with waiting periods reduced or waived.

And remember, if you’re switching to equivalent or lower cover you usually won’t have to serve any new waiting periods.

Basic Hospital Plus
  • 2 months – rehabilitation, psychiatric and palliative care (restricted, and including where the condition is pre-existing)
  • 2 months – all other hospital treatments
  • 12 months – all other pre-existing conditions
Bronze Hospital Plus
Silver Hospital
Silver Hospital Plus

  • 2 months – rehabilitation, psychiatric and palliative care (including where the condition is pre-existing)
  • 2 months – all other hospital treatments
  • 12 months – all other pre-existing conditions
Gold Hospital
  • 2 months – rehabilitation, psychiatric and palliative care (including where the condition is pre-existing)
  • 2 months – all other hospital treatments
  • 12 months – all other pre-existing conditions
  • 12 months – pregnancy and birth

fund-iconMember benefits

HBF members get access to a range of discounts and health programs:

  • Discounts on gym memberships and fitness apparel
  • Higher extras rebates at Members Plus providers
  • Telephone health coaching and other free health programs
  • Fully covered flu vaccination every year

fund-iconHow to claim

Claim via the free HBF Health app or online, or by sending a claim form through the post. You can also claim on the spot when you visit a provider that offers HICAPS.

fund-iconHospital agreements

HBF has agreements with many private hospitals and day clinics across Australia. When comparing policies, it’s worth checking if your local hospitals and clinics are covered. Our specialists at Health Insurance Comparison can do this for you.

ACT
Private hospitals – 6
Day surgeries – 7

NSW
Private hospitals – 93
Day surgeries – 85

NT
Private hospitals – 2
Day surgeries – 1

QLD
Private hospitals – 51
Day surgeries – 45

SA
Private hospitals – 24
Day surgeries – 23

TAS
Private hospitals – 5
Day surgeries – 3

VIC
Private hospitals – 77
Day surgeries – 67

WA
Private hospitals – 23
Day surgeries – 21

fund-iconCustomer service

HBF received 6.1% of the total health complaints in 2019, significantly under their market share of 7.5%.

fund-iconFAQs

Yes, HBF is not-for-profit.

Anyone applying for any HBF health insurance policy must comply with the HBF Fund Rules and any other requirements of HBF.

HBF is not on Health Insurance Comparison’s panel, but we’re confident we can find you a good deal from the other funds we compare. You’ll need to contact HBF directly if you want to move to them.
No. If you hold equivalent cover with another fund, HBF will honour any waiting periods you already served with them.
Yes, you can choose a lower or higher level of cover. If you move to a higher level of cover, you will usually need to serve waiting periods on the extra services.
Most Australians are eligible to receive a rebate from the government. This will depend on your age and income. To learn what you’re entitled to, see this rebate table.
If you’re 31 or over, you usually need to pay 2% loading for each year you’ve gone without health cover since the 1st July following your 31st birthday. You can find out more here.
Extras reset on 1 January each year.
Generally, 23. If they’re studying full time, dependents can be covered as a student under a family policy up to the age of 25. Children must not be married or living in a de facto relationship. Read our guide to learn more.
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