Your COVID-19 Payment

In 2020, when it became clear that COVID-19 would prevent our members from accessing and claiming for Hospital or Extras services, we made a promise not to profit from the pandemic. 

And we've stayed true to our word. 

This year we will be giving back a further $3 million (to members in premium refunds) in recognition of continued reduced access to services during the pandemic. In December 2021, we returned $2.78 million (to members in premium refunds). 

You'll receive one payment for the policy, as opposed to a payment for each person covered by your policy.

You will be notified of the exact amount you will receive via email or letter from the 5 December before payment is made. You will also receive a remittance advice your payment has gone through.

No, your level of cover isn’t a factor in calculating COVID-19 payments. Your payment is calculated on your membership (single, couple, or family) and type of cover (Hospital, Extras, or both).

If we have your bank account details and you get your benefits paid into your bank account, you’ll receive your COVID-19 benefit paid into this account. You’ll receive a remittance notice (either by post or email, depending on your chosen preferred method of communication) that we’ve made the payment. 

If we are unable to electronically transfer the payment, or if your membership has been terminated or is lapsed, you will receive a cheque in the post.

Unfortunately, we can’t. It’s just too complicated and costly to arrange, so we’re making COVID-19 payments via bank transfer or cheque. You can then choose to use it however you wish.

Unfortunately, annual premium increases are unavoidable – all health funds have to increase their premiums to cover the rising cost of healthcare services. These increases are calculated to ensure we can pay future claims. So, this year’s increase covers claims from 1 April 2022 onwards.

On the other hand, our COVID-19 payments are effectively unclaimed benefits from the 2021/22 financial year. Your COVID-19 payment is in lieu of benefits you could have claimed but were unable to when healthcare services were suspended across the country.

The payment is calculated on your level of cover as of the 30 June 2022.

If you're a current or former policyholder and you held Hospital and/or Extras cover (Domestic and Overseas) between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, and were still a member as of 30 September 2022, you're eligible for a COVID-19 payment.

'Were a member' means a membership is not terminated or lapsed as of 30 September 2022.

It includes memberships currently suspended. 

It excludes memberships that were suspended for the full financial year (1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022).

Our COVID-19 payments will range from $17.50 (for a single person with Extras only cover) to $120 (for a couple or family with both Hospital and Extras cover). You will be notified of the exact amount you will receive in direct communications from us.

We took a number of factors into account when calculating COVID-19 payments, including:

•  the total amount to be disbursed
• the total number of eligible policies
• membership type (single, couple, or family)
• type of cover (Hospital, Extras, or both)
• your State of residency.

We’ll be making COVID-19 payments from 12 December up to Christmas.

Not at all. Your COVID-19 payment isn’t a refund on your premiums – it’s a payment in lieu of health insurance benefits you could have claimed but were unable to due to the pandemic. As an ‘in lieu’ payment, it is not taxable income.

Yes, if you made a claim during this period, and match the criteria specified, you will receive a COVID-19 payment.

If you joined HIF after the 30 June, you are ineligible for the payment as you weren’t covered with us during the deferred claims period of 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.

The payment is calculated on your level of cover as of the 30 June 2022.

We recognise members in some States have been more impacted by the pandemic than others and not had the same level of access to services. Our COVID-19 payments will reflect this.