Extras cover FAQS

Extras cover FAQS

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* Based on an Australian Government Rebate of %, % LHC loading, $ excess for a in . Please note the amount quoted may vary after 1 April due to base price changes and rounding adjustment.

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What are the changes to Extras covers?

All health funds are no longer permitted to cover a range of natural therapies from 1 April 2019.

Health funds are still permitted to cover remedial massage, myotherapy, Chinese herbal medicine consultations and acupuncture, which are the most common natural therapies services that members claim for.

Here is an overview of the changes to natural therapies:

 

Natural therapies that are no longer covered from 1 April 2019:

  • Alexander technique
  • Aromatherapy
  • Bowen Therapy
  • Butekyo
  • Feldenkrais
  • Western herbalism
  • Homeopathy
  • Iridology
  • Kinesiology
  • Naturopathy
  • Pilates
  • Reflexology
  • Rolfing
  • Shiatsu
  • Tai chi
  • Yoga

Natural therapies that will continue to be covered from 1 April 2019:

  • Remedial massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine consultation
  • Myotherapy

 

 


Read more about the removal of some natural therapies here.

Can I still claim for yoga and Pilates under other benefits?

From 1 April 2019, all health funds are no longer permitted to pay benefits for yoga and Pilates services.

Why did the Government remove the listed natural therapies?

The Department of Health has stated the reason behind the removal of some natural therapies is because: “a review chaired by the former Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer found there is no clear evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the listed natural therapies.”

Read more about the Government’s decision to remove some natural therapies here.

What will happen to the benefit limits for natural therapies?

Your cover will still have the same benefit limit for natural therapies after 1 April 2019. However, you’ll only be able to claim benefits for permitted natural therapy services including remedial massage, acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine consultation and myotherapy.

We’ve encouraged our members who claim for services that are being removed to use up their benefit limits before 1 April 2019.

To do this you just need to access the services before it’s removed from your cover on 1 April 2019. You can then submit your claim for the service up to two years after the date you received it.

Will my premium change because some natural therapies have been removed?

The natural therapies that have been removed only account for 0.6% of claims we pay towards, so financially the impact is minimal.

However, savings made from the removal of the natural therapies listed by the Government will be redistributed into benefit improvements for our members.