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HBF health insurance review
Our verdict: HBF is one of Australia's largest not-for-profit funds, offering some great value hospital and extras policies. However, its Silver policies are relatively expensive.
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Pros
HBF has low-priced Basic Plus policies and flexible excess options.
The second lowest number of complaints compared to market share of all the big health funds.
It's Australia's most trusted health insurer, according to Roy Morgan's 2022 Net Trust Survey.
One of Australia's largest not-for-profit funds.
Cons
HBF's Silver tier policies are not very competitive on price, with cheaper policies available from brands including Bupa and ahm.
There are very few physical HBF branches outside WA.
Congratulations, HBF!
A tremendous effort by HBF! This health insurer has taken Best Health Fund of the Year in 2023, along with several other wins and commendments across Basic Hospital, Bronze Hospital, Silver Hospital and Medium Extras.
HBF is very competitive on price with some of the best value hospital Basic, Bronze and Gold tier policies, as well as for basic extras coverage.
HBF is good if:
You want a low-priced Basic Plus hospital policy.
You're after a cheap extras policy that covers optical. "Basic Extras" is one of the cheapest extras cover policies available on Finder that covers optical, from around $18 a month.
You're looking for a cheap extras policy for hearing aids. "Complete 60" is the cheapest policy on Finder to cover hearing aids, with a $600 limit every 3 years.
HBF is not great if:
You need a competitively priced Silver tier hospital policy.
You want to discuss your coverage in person outside of Melbourne or Western Australia.
Review by our insurance and innovations editor Gary Ross Hunter.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Compare prices from 30+ Aussie funds in under 30 seconds.
HBF health insurance complaints
We looked at the 2022 Ombudsman health insurance complaints. Here's how HBF stacked up:
Proportionally, HBF had one of the lowest number of complaints than other large health funds.
HBF didn't quite get first place, it was second to Medibank (ahm) which had 19.30% of overall complaints versus a 27.5% market share.
This chart shows the weighted volume of complaints received by each health fund, according to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The lower the number, the better. Only non-restricted funds with a national market share of at least 0.1% are included here. HBF is sixth overall in this ranking. The weighting ensures that funds are compared fairly; larger funds serve more customers so can potentially get more complaints.
Why you can trust Finder's health insurance experts
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Our health insurance engine is completely free to use. You pay the same as buying directly from the health insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site.
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and you can compare nearly every health fund in Australia on the site (and find a better deal).
We're here to help
Since 2014, we've helped 350,000+ people find health insurance by explaining your options simply. We'll never ask for your number or email to see prices. We're here to help you make a decision.
HBF frequently asked questions
HBF is one of Australia's biggest not-for-profit health funds, owned completely by its members. HBF says this lets it focus on giving more back to its members. Learn more about not-for-profit health funds here.
HBF members can lodge claims in 3 ways:
On the app. You can download the HBF Health app for free. To make a claim on the app, simply take a photo of your treatment account and receipt and upload it. Your benefit will go directly into your nominated bank account.
On the spot. When you visit a provider that offers HICAPS electronic claiming, all you need to do is swipe your HBF membership card to receive any benefit you're eligible for.
Online. By logging into myHBF online and clicking "Submit a health claim", members can enter their claim details and upload any receipts or invoices. If you claim electronically, your benefits will automatically be deducted from the provider fee, so you'll only have to pay the difference between the provider's fee and the amount HBF covers.
By mail. HBF members can download and complete a claim form, attach any accounts and receipts and then post everything to HBF.
HBF offers a range of health cover options for people who are in Australia on a working visa or who are visiting here on holidays. These include the following:
Working Visa Hospital Cover and Flex 50 Extras. This option meets visa condition 8501 while offering cover for a range of essential hospital treatments such as chemotherapy and heart treatment plus 13 common extras treatments such as general dental and emergency ambulance.
Working Visa Hospital and Medical Cover, and Complete 60 Extras.This option meets visa condition 8501 while offering cover for a range of essential hospital treatments such as heart treatment and maternity, medical services like GP visits and 22 common extras treatments such as general dental, major dental and optical.
Standard Overseas Visitors Cover and Basic Extras. This option covers a range of essential hospital treatments and medical services such as GP visits and 8 common extras treatments such as general dental and optical.
Standard Overseas Visitors Cover and Flex 50 Extras. This option covers a range of essential hospital treatments and medical services such as GP visits and 13 common extras treatments like general dental, major dental and optical.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, The Telegraph, Explore Travel and Escape. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Kaplan Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
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