If you’ve recently joined HIF (or added cover to your existing HIF membership) then you may recall us asking for a Clearance Certificate from your previous insurer. Similarly, when a member cancels their HIF health cover, we will provide a Clearance Certificate.
A Clearance Certificate (also known as the Transfer Certificate) is a record of your health insurance cover with an Australian health fund. It confirms details such as your length of membership, health cover products, claim history and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading details.
Benefits of providing a Clearance Certificate
- Transfer your waiting periods: We honour all waiting periods served with your previous fund if you’ve transferred within two months and can provide a valid Clearance Certificate.
- Avoid paying higher premiums: Did you know that for Australians, the cost of Hospital cover is subject to loading? Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is a government initiative that applies a 2% loading on top of your Hospital premium for every year over the age of 30 that you do not hold Hospital cover. Without a valid Clearance Certificate as proof of your previous membership, you may be charged a higher premium as though you were purchasing private hospital cover for the first time – so it really does pay to provide your Clearance Certificate as soon as possible. Learn more at hif.com.au/lhc.
Ways to provide your Clearance Certificate
- Contact your previous insurer: Under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, your previous insurer is required to provide you with a Clearance Certificate within 14 days of request. You can then send a copy to us at hello@hif.com.au.
OR
- Have HIF request a copy on your behalf: For new members, simply provide your previous fund details in the relevant section of your application to join HIF. Existing members can provide previous fund details at any time by completing and returning our switching funds form. We’ll contact your previous fund to request a copy of your Clearance Certificate and let you know once we’ve finalised the details for you.