Each month we analyse over 10,000 hospital and extras insurance products and rate each one on price and features. What we end up with is a nice round number out of 10 that helps you compare products a bit faster.
Before we start scoring, we need to make sure we're comparing like-for-like. Just as it doesn't make sense to compare a toy car with a Porche, it doesn't make sense to compare basic policies to top-tier gold policies. Each policy is given a price score and feature score. These are then combined to determine each policies's Finder Score. Read our full methodologies of how we calculated Finder Score for hospital cover and extras cover.
How to make a claim
For extras benefits, you can claim on the spot using your HIF member card, as long as the healthcare provider has a HICAPS machine. You can also claim online via the member centre, or through the HIF app. You can also claim by mail, including a completed claim form and all the relevant receipts and information, and sending it to HIF, GPO Box X2221, Perth, WA 6000.
For hospital claims, you'll be asked to pay the excess (if applicable) when admitted. From there, any bills will be forwarded to HIF. If this doesn't happen, and you get a bill, post it to HIF, Reply Paid X2221, Perth, WA 6847.
Complaints info
HIF’s complaints record compares favourably to its market share. Despite holding 0.7% of the market, it accounted for only 0.5% of all private health insurance complaints received by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Why you can trust Finder's health insurance experts
You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching health insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
FAQs
HIF is owned by its members and operates as a non-profit.
You can call HIF on 1300 134 060 or you can write to HIF at HIF, Whadjuk Country, Reply Paid, GPO Box X2221, Perth, WA 6847.
Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards.
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