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HBF health insurance
HBF health insurance
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezCompare Health Insurance Policies
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Long story short
HBF has over one million strong members nationwide
While it hails from Perth, its members can be found across Australia, making it one of the largest not-for-profit health insurers in the country.
HBF puts its members’ health and wellness needs first
From a range of health insurance products to member perks and health programs, HBF stays true to its promise to deliver for members when it matters.
HBF is a nonprofit health insurance provider that puts members before profit
Its hospital payout ratio of 85.5% speaks volumes about how much of members’ premiums go back to their hospital care.
Who is HBF?
HBF is one of the largest not-for-profit private health insurance providers in the country, offering various levels of cover – from hospital to extras and even ambulance cover – to over one million members. Founded in 1941 in Perth, HBF also provides private health insurance products throughout Australia.
HBF is a health fund that puts members before profit, guided by a vision to create a healthier tomorrow and deliver for members in the moments that matter.
What makes HBF special?
With over 80 years of experience supporting Australians’ health and wellbeing, HBF offers award-winning health insurance policies, everyday member savings and health and community programs. It’s no wonder HBF is the second-largest member-based health fund, and has earned the trust of more than one million members who see their premiums go back into their care.
A nonprofit health insurance provider
Because HBF is not-for-profit health insurance provider, it has no shareholders. That means more of what it earns goes straight back to its members. In fact, HBF’s hospital claims payout rate is 85.5% and is projected to keep rising in 2026. In other words, for every $1 in hospital premiums, HBF pays 85.5 cents towards hospital claims.
For context, industry data shows that the average payout rates between 2022 and 2025 hovered around 82–84%.1Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) – APRA shows status quo for private hospitals So HBF’s payout rate sits above the industry average; it returns more of its members’ health insurance premiums back to them.
Member perks
HBF offers movie tickets, restaurant discounts, gift cards and other perks for its members. And for most members with single-parent and family policies, you won’t have to pay an excess when your kids have to stay in the hospital.
Health programs
HBF health cover offers a variety of programs to support the health and wellbeing of its members. This includes proactive health initiatives that promote a healthy diet, mental wellbeing, health education and sustainable weight loss.
It also offers access to trained physiotherapists, plus programs to manage osteoarthritis symptoms and chronic conditions like diabetes and chemotherapy (along with other medical infusions) at home for eligible members.
Award-winning
HBF has won product, outstanding value and people’s choice awards between 2022 and 25 across different award-giving bodies. It’s definitely got the trophy cabinet to speak for the good work it’s been doing!
Community programs
Tens of thousands of people have joined HBF in its fun runs to raise funds for important health causes in Western Australia (WA). More and more HBF employees are also regular donors to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (which HBF is partnered with to launch WA’s inaugural Microbiome Bank).
What policies does HBF offer?
HBF offers private health insurance that includes hospital cover, extras cover, combined cover and ambulance cover. You can mix and match hospital and extras cover to have private health cover that feels right – whether it’s a single, couple, family, or single-parent policy. It also has various levels of cover – from basic to more comprehensive.
Hospital cover
Hospital cover is a type of private health insurance that helps pay for hospital bills, including treatment, accommodation, theatre and specialist fees.
As a private patient in a private hospital, hospital cover gives you control and flexibility over your choice of doctor. Hospital insurance could also help you avoid waiting for a long time to be seen (which is usually common in the public system – especially for elective surgeries), as being a private patient means you can pick your own specialist who’s likely to treat you more quickly in a private hospital. And of course, it helps you get a private room if available, if you’re after privacy and comfort.
It’s worth noting that hospital cover has a waiting period for various conditions, as follows:
- 12 months for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and birth-related services
- 2 months for everything else (including rehabilitation, psychiatric and palliative care – even if these are considered pre-existing conditions).
Extras-only cover
Extras only is a type of private health insurance cover that pays for services that are offered outside the hospital and aren’t covered by Medicare – ancillary services like general dental, optical and physiotherapy. It could help lower your out-of-pocket costs by paying a set amount or percentage back on eligible services each year.
Extras cover is worth considering if you’re after everyday health and wellness benefits like chiropractic, mental health and remedial massage. HBF extras offers various levels of extras cover – from basic to comprehensive – with a waiting period of mostly 2 months, except for the more expensive services like major dental, which has a 12-month wait (or longer).
Combined hospital and extras cover
Combined hospital and extras cover is a combination of hospital and extras cover, bundled in one private health insurance policy. It covers both in-hospital treatment and out-of-hospital services (like dental, optical, physio and chiropractic services).
If you want the convenience of comprehensive cover while only managing one private health policy, then combined hospital and extras cover is well worth a look.
Ambulance cover
Ambulance cover is a type of private health insurance that takes care of ambulance costs. It also usually includes non-emergency, transport and paramedic services. Some states and territories in Australia don’t have free ambulance services, and this is where this type of cover could step in.
HBF offers various levels of ambulance cover – including urgent and non-urgent services – and could cover you anywhere in Australia.
Helpful tip
Did you know that HBF has a no-gap scheme with certain providers? That means you could get a range of no-gap treatments and services, say for your teeth and eyes, at participating providers – without worrying about any out-of-pocket expenses. It’s worth checking if your preferred local providers have a medical gap arrangement with HBF.
Andres Gutierrez
General Manager – Health
Can I access my HBF account online?
Yes, you can access your account through the website both on desktop and on mobile. You can make a claim, manage your payments and account details, order a new membership card and more.
Frequently asked questions
How does my excess work at HBF?
With HBF, you can choose an excess (the up-front payment you agree to pay when admitted to the hospital for an in-patient treatment) of $0, $250, $500 or $750. These options may vary by cover, and not all are available at all levels of cover. If you choose a higher excess, your premium goes down – and vice versa.
While a higher excess can lower your premium payments, it should be an amount you can afford if you need to be admitted to the hospital.
How do I make a claim with HBF?
Claims for hospital procedures are usually made by the hospital themselves, and you can make extras claims on the spot or online. You can make a claim through the HBF app, online through myHBF or on-the-spot at your provider by tapping or swiping your membership card. You can also send a claim form via email or snail mail to HBF’s GPO box.
Once hospital claims are submitted by the hospital, they’ll be processed within 10 business days. In odd cases when you need to claim yourself, you’ll need to provide your Medicare Statement of Benefit.
For extras claims, you can either claim on the spot by swiping your HBF member card (and you’ll get your rebate shortly after). If your provider doesn’t have a participating terminal, you can send your invoices and receipts through the app, website, mail or at the nearest HBF branch. HBF usually processes extras claims within 7 business days.
How can I pay my HBF bill?
You can pay your HBF health insurance premiums online, by direct debit (which can be set up on myHBF or the HBF app), in person or over the phone. If you’re paying online, HBF accepts both Visa and Mastercard. You can also pre-pay your policy up to 18 months ahead, which means you’ll avoid any increase in premiums until the date you’ve paid up to.
When setting up online payments, you must have your payment details, methods, frequency and payment withdrawal dates ready.
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