Health Insurance for Cancer

Waiting periods typically apply to all health insurance policies. Generally, after you take out your cover, a waiting period of two months applies to any conditions.

However, if you’ve already noticed signs or symptoms or you’ve visited a doctor in relation to a possible cancer diagnosis, you may need to wait 12 months before you could make any cancer-related claims. This is because your condition would be regarded as pre-existing.

There is usually no waiting period if you need hospital treatment because of an accident that happens after you start your policy. An accident is defined as an injury that occurred unintentionally or unexpectedly. While cancer is of course unintentional and unexpected, it doesn’t classify as an accident, so waiting periods will apply.

If you’re transferring to a new policy that’s the same or a lower level of cover, the waiting periods you’ve already served will transfer across with you – even if you’re moving to a new health fund. That means, if you’ve already served the waiting period for cancer treatment on your existing policy and you move to a new policy, you usually won’t need to re-serve the waiting period.

Under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, health insurers can impose a maximum 12-month waiting period on benefits for hospital treatment for pre-existing conditions.

This means that if you have any signs or symptoms of any ailment, illness, or condition in the six months before the day your health insurance policy begins, you’ll be required to wait a maximum of 12 months to be covered for hospital treatment. This applies to new policyholders and policyholders who upgrade their policy to a higher level of cover.

Exceptions to the pre-existing condition rule include psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and palliative care, which have a two-month waiting period, regardless of whether they’re pre-existing or new conditions.

You may be considering complementary therapies as part of your cancer treatment. These types of therapies include mind–body practices, body-based practices, energy therapies, and herbal remedies.

These types of therapies aren’t covered by Medicare or the PBS. While some, like acupuncture, can be covered by an extras policy, others aren’t covered by private health insurance, so you’ll need to consider the costs of these therapies if you’re thinking about using them.

While private health insurance won’t cover the costs of remedies and supplements in many complementary therapies, some health funds may offer a rebate on a consultation with a complementary therapist.

Complementary therapies are not part of standard medical care, but they may help you manage the effects of cancer and its treatment in addition to standard medical care.

This type of therapy may help you cope with the emotional consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but it shouldn’t replace standard medical treatment by your doctors and specialists.

If you decide to try a complementary therapy for cancer treatment, it’s recommended that you tell your doctors, as it may affect how your medical treatment works.