If you've recently migrated to Australia, or just obtained your Australian residency and you're over the age of 31, your LHC base day will be the later of:
- 1 July following your 31st birthday; or
- The first anniversary of the day you registered for full Medicare benefits.
If you take out hospital cover after your Lifetime Health Cover base day, then you will have to pay a Lifetime Health Cover loading of 2% for every year you are aged over 30. Exceptions may apply if you were overseas on your base day. For more, please visit Lifetime Health Cover (privatehealth.gov.au)
How do I confirm my Lifetime Health Cover base day?
You can obtain a "Lifetime Health Cover Applicable Date Letter" also known as a “Medicare Eligibility Letter’" from Medicare; this document confirms the date you registered for full Medicare benefits and helps to determine your Lifetime Health Cover base day.. You can request a letter from your local Medicare office or by contacting Medicare on 13 20 11.
If you’d like to find out more information about Lifetime Health Cover Loading, please visit privatehealth.gov.au