Cancer Treatment Cover
Insuring the health of future you

We all know someone that's been affected by cancer, and we know how heartbreaking it can be. And while we hope it will never happen to us, it's hard to ignore the fact that cancer is one of the leading cause of death in Australia. That's why it's good to have options if the worst should happen. Read on to learn more about the types of treatment available, and which HIF Hospital options cover it.

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What does cancer treatment involve?

There are many types of cancer treatment available today. The treatment received will depend on the type of cancer, where it began and whether it's spread (plus general health and personal choices). Often, more than one treatment is used.

Options include inpatient chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Some patients will only have one treatment, but most have a combination of treatments.

While we know the thought of having cancer can be scary, you can rest assured that when you have HIF Hospital cover, you'll have one thing less to worry about. And our affordable hospital policies stretch even further now - right to your door in fact, covering a number of hospital services (such as chemotherapy) in the comfort of your own home.

To find out more and discuss in-home hospital service arrangements, please call us on 1300 134 060 or email hello@hif.com.au

What else will I be covered for?

As well as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatment for cancer, eligible Hospital cover options also cover:

Private room accommodation in an HIF-contracted hospital¹
Theatre care
Intensive care
Appendectomy
Removal of tonsils & adenoids
Insertion & removal of grommets
Hernia repair
Joint reconstruction
Endoscopies
Breast surgery (medically necessary)
Pain management
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Do hospital waiting periods apply?

Whether we’re answering your call, or helping you switch from another health fund, we don’t like to keep people waiting. But unfortunately waiting periods (the time you have to wait before you can claim for treatment) are a necessity. We wouldn't be able to offer our affordable premiums and generous benefits without them.

Waiting periods exist so we can protect our members against people who simply join us, claim large amounts and then leave. But we always try to keep waiting periods to an absolute minimum. That’s why, if you join us from another health fund, we’ll take your previous membership into account, so you won’t have to re-serve waiting periods on an equivalent level or lower level of health insurance cover.

Please note that continuity in cover will not be offered if the financial date paid to with the previous health insurer is greater than 2 months from the commencement date with HIF.

For HIF Hospital cover, the waiting periods are as follows:

2 months: General hospitalisation
2 months: Psychiatric care, rehabilitation & palliative care (regardless of whether it's pre-existing or not)
12 months: All pregnancy and birth related services
12 months: Pre-existing conditions or ailments

Will a pre-existing condition affect my cover?

The Pre-Existing Condition waiting period applies to new members and existing members who upgrade their policy to access higher-level benefits. The test applied under the law relies on the presence of signs or symptoms of the illness, ailment or condition, not on a diagnosis (i.e. it’s not necessary for the member or their doctor to know what their condition is or for it to be diagnosed).

In forming an opinion about whether or not an illness is a pre-existing condition, an HIF-appointed medical practitioner will take into account information provided by the member’s treating doctor.

A pre-existing condition is defined as: ‘Any ailment, illness, or condition where, in the opinion of a medical adviser appointed by the health insurer, the signs or symptoms of that illness, ailment or condition existed at any time in the period of six months ending on the day on which the person became insured under the policy.’

Supporting HIF members with cancer

HIF is delighted to partner with Valion Health's Cancer Support Complete Program. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for HIF members who have had a cancer diagnosis.

Tailored to personal needs, the program is designed to support the physical and mental health of members with cancer. This includes members who are having, or have recently completed, cancer treatment, and those living with advanced cancer. It includes a care plan (which may also include support from a cancer nurse, dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist and yoga therapist over a 12-week period).

The Cancer Support Program is available to eligible HIF members at no additional cost through our cancer services partner Valion Health. If you’ve been an HIF member with any level of Hospital cover (Excluding Basic Plus) for at least 12 months and meet HIF’s and Valion Health’s eligibility requirements - this treatment program could be a great choice for you. For more details please visit our Valion Health webpage.