About HCF health insurance
HCF was established over 90 years ago and is best known for being a not-for-profit health fund that provides private health insurance to Australian consumers. It opened its first branch in the late 1930s and by 1942 became known as the Hospitals Contribution Fund of NSW. HCF is also a provider of life, travel, home, car and pet insurance.
What health insurance products does HCF offer?
HCF’s health insurance policies are designed to suit a variety of life stages, including singles, couples, families, single parents and young adults. At the time of writing, HCF provides the following hospital, extras and combined hospital and extras products:
- HCF hospital cover options: Hospital Basic Plus, My Future Basic Plus Hospital (must be taken as part of a combined package), Hospital Bronze Plus, Hospital Standard Silver Plus, Hospital Silver Plus, My Family Silver Plus (must be taken as part of a combined package), My Family Advanced Silver Plus (must be taken as part of a combined package), and Hospital Optimal Gold.
- HCF extras cover options: Starter Extras, Starter Extras (with optical), Flex My Extras, Mid Extras, Choose My Extras, Vital Extras, Top Extras, My Future Extras, My Family Silver Plus Extras and My Family Advanced Silver Plus Extras.
- HCF combined cover options: HCF offers combined hospital and extras cover based on any combination of its hospital cover and extras packages, with the exception of its My Future and My Family product offerings which can only be taken as part of their applicable hospital and extras packages.
- HCF ambulance cover: Ambulance Only Cover (not available to residents of Tasmania or Queensland, who receive taxpayer-funded ambulance transport from their respective state governments).
Can I get dental cover with HCF?
At the time of writing, all of HCF’s extras policies include some form of cover for general dental. HCF’s Mid Extras, Choose My Extras, Vital Extras, Top Extras, My Family Silver Plus Extras and My Family Advanced Silver Plus Extras also include cover for major dental. Additionally, all of HCF’s hospital policies currently include some form of cover for dental surgery.
Does HCF’s health insurance cover physio?
Yes, at the time of writing all of HCF’s extras policies include some form of cover for physiotherapy. The amount of cover that a policy provides and the limits that apply to it will depend on the specific policy.
Does HCF offer family policies that cover adult children?
Yes, adult dependents can remain on HCF health insurance policies until they turn 22, and can remain for longer if they meet certain conditions. If they're full-time students, single and rely on you for maintenance and support, register them as student dependents, and they'll be covered for no extra cost until the day before they turn 31 or cease being eligible (e.g. stop full-time study), whichever comes first.
FAQs about HCF health insurance
At the time of writing, HCF offers Working Visa Health Cover (also known as Overseas Visitors Health Cover or OVHC). Keep in mind, if you’re on an overseas visa and are from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement, you could be eligible for another local policy.
You can manage your HCF health insurance policy by logging into the online member services portal on the HCF website, or via the My Membership app. From here, you’ll be able to see details of your coverage, make an extras or ambulance claim, manage your payments and access rewards.
Once you’ve received medical treatment or made a purchase covered by your policy, the next step is to make a claim. You can claim on the spot at the appointment if you have your membership card on you. You can also claim online or on the go via the My Membership app or HCF’s online member services portal. Alternatively, you can claim at an HCF branch or by post with a completed claim form. Contact HCF or visit the HCF website if you need assistance.
