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HCF health insurance review
Our verdict: HCF has competitively priced Bronze Plus, Silver Plus and Gold (but no Basic) hospital policies, as well as several good value extras policies.
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Pros
Most hospital policies cover more than the minimum tier requirements, but are still competitively priced.
Of the big funds, HCF had the highest member retention rate (98.6%) according to the latest Commonwealth Ombudsman figures.
"Starter Extras" is the cheapest extras policy with a benefit for remedial massage, starting at around $12 a month.
Cons
No Basic or Basic Plus policies available.
HCF received the highest number of complaints compared to market share of any of the big health funds.
Congratulations, HCF!
A great effort from HCF! This health insurer placed as a finalist for Best Health Fund of the Year at the 2023 Finder Awards.
It’s also the winner for Bronze and Silver Hospital policies.
*Quotes are based on a single individual with less than $90,000 income, $500 excess and living in Sydney.
HCF health insurance: Our verdict
HCF has a wide selection of comprehensive hospital policies that are competitively priced. It also offers several extras policies that are good value for particular treatments. It did receive more than its fair share of complaints in 2022, but it also had the highest member retention rate of all funds.
HCF is good if:
You're after a cheap Silver Plus policy. "Hospital Standard Silver Plus" is good value, covering 29 treatments from around $108 a month.
You want a mid-priced extras plan with good dental coverage. "Mid Extras" offers 100% back on up to 2 dental checks per year, from around $32 a month.
HCF is not great if:
You need a Basic or Basic Plus policy (especially if it's to avoid the MLS or LHC).
You want the best value Bronze Plus policy – we found comparable alternatives for less from Medibank and HBF**.
Review by our health insurance publisher Tim Bennett.
**"HCF Hospital Bronze Plus" covers 25 treatments from around $88 a month, while "HBF Bronze Hospital Plus" and "Medibank Bronze Plus Progress" each cover 26 treatments for around $90 and $90 a month, respectively.
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HCF health insurance complaints
We looked at the 2022 ombudsman health insurance complaints. Here's how HCF stacked up:
Of all funds with more than 0.5% market share, HCF ranked 15th out of 19 for the proportion of complaints compared to market share.
Proportionally, HCF had the highest number of complaints when compared to the big health funds.
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. HCF is fifteenth 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.
HCF frequently asked questions
Yes, HCF is a not-for-profit health fund. In fact, HCF is Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.
Diamond members, who've been with HCF for over 25 years and have a top tier policy, are rewarded with preferential servicing, a growing range of exclusive offers, VIP experiences and more
Ruby members, who've been with HCF for more than 10 years, get access to special offers and rewards, exclusive access to unique events and more
Emerald members get, for 5 years of membership, access an increasing range of discounts and privileges from HCF partner brands
Opal members, who have been with HCF for under 5 years, are still rewarded with various exclusive offers and rewards.
If you need to make an extras claim with HCF, you can lodge your claim in the following ways:
On the spot. You can swipe your HCF membership card when you visit your service provider to claim immediately.
Via the HCF mobile app. You can take a photo of your receipt with your smartphone to submit your claim.
Online. Online claims can be made through the HCF member services portal. You'll need to post your original receipts to the health fund to complete your claim.
At a branch. Claims can be lodged in an HCF branch by presenting your membership card and your original receipts.
By post. You also have the option of downloading a claim form from the HCF website or phoning the health fund to request one. You can then send the completed claim form and your receipts to: HCF, GPO Box 4242, Sydney NSW 2001.
As for medical bills from your treating doctor, if you were treated under the HCF Medicover agreement the bills will go directly to HCF. If not, you can submit your health insurance claim at any HCF or Medicare branch.
If you're planning on visiting or working in Australia, HCF has a range of options available to you. It's important that you have the right level of health insurance as part of your visa requirements.
Tim Bennett is a Finder insurance expert. For over 10 years he's reported on news, politics, finance and other topics as a journalist and radio presenter. Tim's roles have included radio news reader and breakfast at the ABC, news producer for SBS and producer for Fairfax Media. Tim regularly appears as a health insurance expert on programs like Sunrise and SBS news, as well as in the Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more.
Finder is giving away a $200 Mastercard gift card to one Finder member who writes a review that is verified and published on productreview.com.au between 27 November 2023 and 01 January 2024.
Finder is giving away a $250.00 Mastercard Gift Card on the first Monday of each month to one lucky member who checked their credit score in the prior month.
If you’re looking for private health insurance in Victoria, compare the most popular health funds in your state and how much it costs to take out cover.
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