HBF offers three main types of cover for visitors who are in Australia for work or leisure purposes. Its most comprehensive policy can meet some of the costs of accommodation in a private room and pharmacy expenses.
With three core plans to choose from, you're likely to find something that fits your need: whether that's the minimum to meet your visa requirements, or some added health cover.
HBF had a lower rate of policy complaints (3.7%), compared to its overall market share (of 7.7%) in Australia. The Commonwealth Ombudsman figures were for 2023 and are the most recently available figures.
Standard Overseas Visitors cover. Policies start at $38.05* per week and cover you for benefits including urgent ambulance, doctors fees in hospital for included services and public hospital emergency department fees.
Working Visa Hospital cover. Policies start at $18.90* per week and provide you with a range of cover for benefits including joint replacements, heart treatments and IVF.
Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover. Policies start at $45.50* per week and provide top-level cover with protection for the costs from accommodation in a private room and out-of-hospital pharmacy.
*Price is based on a single, in WA paying by direct-debit with 0% Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance and 0% Lifetime Health Cover loading price gathered 9/09/2024.
Extras coverage
You're also able to add extra cover to these hospital policies, which protect you from the costs from treatments like physiotherapy and massage. These include:
Flex 50s. This pays 50% towards benefits including general dental, major dental, optical, physio, chiro and more.
Complete 60s. This pays 60% towards most out-of-hospital services including general dental, major dental, optical, physio, acupuncture, healthy living programs and more.
Ambulance coverage
HBF OVHC policies can cover emergency ambulance transportation. This service isn't generally covered by Medicare in Australia.
HBF health insurance complaints
We looked at the 2023 Ombudsman health insurance complaints. Here's how HBF stacked up:
HBF wasn't first place – it was behind other insurers including Mildura Health Fund and Queensland Country Health.
HBF OVHC frequently asked questions
For necessary medical services, except those specifically excluded under each plan, you are able to receive treatments in a private hospital, following admission.
In all cases your health insurance will only cover shared-room hospital accommodation, so you will need to pay more for a private room, or will have to pay these costs out of pocket if you are admitted to a hospital that only has private rooms available.
The more comprehensive plans also cover you for a range of out-of-hospital services, such as doctor appointments and health check-ups.
It is important to note that you may not be covered for 100% of medical expenses. You should contact HBF prior to receiving treatment to find out if any out-of-pocket expenses are involved.
Not all of these plans are suitable for working visas, and additional conditions or exclusions may apply. You are not necessarily covered for all private hospital treatments, and may be left with out-of-pocket expenses.
You are generally only covered for private hospital services in HBF-partnered private hospitals. The HBF network may be more expansive in Western Australia than other states, and as such this type of cover may be most suitable for those intending to reside in Western Australia.
12 months. Pre-existing conditions (except psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care), maternity care services
6 months. Repatriation
2 months. Rehabilitation, palliative care and psychiatric treatments
None. Ambulance cover
None. All other treatments and services
If you are admitted to hospital while you are in Australia, the hospital can check your overseas visitor cover details, and may be able to bill HBF directly. You will need to pay any remaining expenses to the hospital or practitioner as applicable.
You can pay premiums via direct debit from a bank account or credit card.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 644 Finder guides across topics including:
The 190 Visa gives you permanent residency and can lead to citizenship. Read our easy, step-by-step guide on how to apply and what health cover you will need to have in place.
If your parents are planning to visit you in Australia from another country, they will first need an appropriate visa, and secondly need health insurance while they are here. This guide explains how to do both.
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