Changes to your Essential Extras Cover

With the Federal Government’s Private Health Insurance Reforms coming into effect on 1 April 2019, we’ve made some changes to your Essential Extras cover.

While there are some changes we’ve been required to make, there are also many positive changes that we’ve chosen to include in your cover. 

We’re increasing the annual limit from $165 to $200 per person.

In line with our focus on mental wellness, we’re adding Psychology to Essential Extras. There is a two month waiting period. Any time that you’ve already been on Essential Extras will count towards the waiting period – so anyone who has been on this cover for over two months can start claiming from 1 April 2019.

New benefits:

Psychology assessment - $100

Psychology consultation (including Telepsychology consults)- $72

New annual limit:

$250 per person (sub-limits apply)

We’re adding a new benefit for Exercise Physiology. From 1 April 2019, you can claim for Exercise Physiology from your Physiotherapy limit. If you’ve already served your 2-month waiting period for Physiotherapy on 1 April 2019, you can start claiming straight away.

New benefits for Physiotherapy or Exercise Physiology consultation:

Visits 1-4: $40

Visits 5+: $32

Annual limit:

$300 (combined annual limit for Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology – sub-limits apply)

The waiting period for Orthodontia will decrease from 24 months to 12 months.

Any time that you’ve held continuous Essential Extras cover will count towards the waiting period. If you’ve already had Essential Extras for 12 months on 1 April 2019, you’ll be eligible to claim for Orthodontic services.

Due to the Federal Government’s Private Health Insurance Reforms, health funds are no longer permitted to cover some natural therapy services from 1 April 2019.

See below for information on what will be removed and what will still be covered after 1 April 2019.

If you claim for a service that will be removed, we encourage you to make the most of your benefits while they’re available. The service must be provided by 31 March 2019, but you can submit your claim up to two years after the service date.

Removed:

• Alexander technique
• Aromatherapy
• Bowen therapy
• Buteyko
• Feldenkrais
• Homeopathy
• Kinesiology
• Naturopathy
• Reflexology
• Shiatsu
• Western herbal medicine

You can still use your Natural Therapies limit to claim for:

• Remedial massage
• Acupuncture
• Chinese herbal medicine
• Myotherapy

Removed

• Pilates (including Pilates classes run by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist)

• Yoga

You can still use your Healthy Lifestyle limit to claim for:

• Gym membership**
• Recognised weight management programs**^
• Disease management subscriptions/memberships
• Recognised health screening services/preventative screenings (where a Medicare benefit is not payable)

**with the submission of a completed Healthy Lifestyle form.

 ^Recognised programs: To find out more about each program, click here. 

Benefit limits, sub-limits and annual limits may apply. Limits are per calendar year unless otherwise specified.