We hope you don’t, but if you decide to terminate (or transfer) your HIF policy, that's no problem; it's entirely your choice. We understand that you have your reasons for cancelling and we promise to ensure the process is as easy as possible. To request a policy cancellation, please complete our online cancellation form or call us on 1300 134 060. Before you do though, it may be worth considering the quick points below, just in case any apply to your personal situation (such as financial hardship or suspending while overseas).
Leaving HIF to join your partner's policy with another fund?
Why not add your partner to your HIF policy instead? We'll honour any waiting periods served with their current fund, and when you upgrade from a single policy to a couple or family policy, we'll give you a $70 eftpos card! To arrange for your partner to transfer to your policy, please email hello@hif.com.au or call us on 1300 134 060.
Leaving HIF due to financial hardship?
If you feel like you can't afford private health cover right now, don't worry. We understand that challenges like losing employment or income can happen unexpectedly. Instead of cancelling though, did you know that we can suspend your membership for up to 12 continuous months if you hold a valid Health Care Card, (Sickness Benefit, Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance). If you meet this qualification criteria, please complete our Health Care Card Suspension application form and email this together with a photo of your Health Care Card to hello@hif.com.au
Please note:
- You must have held a minimum of 3 months continuous cover and the maximum suspension period is 12 continuous months (or up to the expiry of the Health Care Card), which ever is less.
- Your policy must be financial for 12 months before you can suspend again due to unemployment.
- Your suspension period does not count towards serving waiting periods and no claims are paid during period of suspension.
If you are not in receipt of the above benefits from Centrelink, you may qualify for a temporary suspension of your policy for a maximum of 12 continuous months on Financial Hardship grounds.If you would like to submit an application to suspend your membership, please complete our online financial hardship suspension application form or call us on 1300 134 060. Please note financial hardship suspensions are only available to members who hold a domestic policy.
Leaving HIF due to overseas travel plans?
Lucky you! As a valued HIF member you can apply to suspend your policy while you're out of Australia. So depending on how long you're travelling for, you may not need to cancel your HIF membership, you can simply suspend it instead. That means that when you eventually return to Australia and reinstate your membership, you won't be required to re-serve any waiting periods and your previous benefits and annual limits will still apply.
If you're a permanent resident:
- You can suspend your policy for a minimum period of 2 months, up to a maximum period of 2 years unless otherwise specified by HIF. To apply, please complete the overseas travel suspension application form. Please note: the minimum period between suspension periods that were approved for the same reason shall be no less than 12 months
If you're a temporary resident:
- You can suspend your policy for a minimum period of 14 days, up to a maximum period of 4 months (in any 12 month period) unless otherwise specified by HIF. To apply, please complete ouroverseas travel suspension application form.
Important Information:
Are there any tax implications if I suspend my policy whilst overseas? If you are defined as a high income earner by the Australian Taxation Office you may be liable to pay the MLS if you suspend or cancel your private health insurance whilst travelling overseas. We recommend that you contact us to query if the amount of premium you expect to save by suspending your policy so that you can compare this to the possible surcharge you may have to pay.
What do I have to do to reinstate my membership when I come back to Australia? If you submitted an application to suspend your policy you do not have to do anything at all! We will look after all of this for you. Your policy will be automatically reinstated on the date you advise us on your application. Immediate cover will apply from the advised date of return to Australia and contributions will be payable from this date.
Leaving HIF due to dissatisfaction with our customer service?
Yikes, that's not good to hear. Firstly, please accept our apologies for any issues or inconvenience you have encountered. We always strive to provide the highest level of service to our members and would really appreciate your feedback on what went wrong on this occasion. While we understand you may already have joined a new fund by now, if there's anything we can do to retain you as an HIF member, please let us know (and if you have already joined a new fund, don't worry; a 30 day cooling off period will apply, meaning you can still cancel your new membership without incurring any costs).
If you still wish to cancel your membership after considering the points above, please call us on 1300 134 060 Monday to Friday and we'll be happy to process your request. We're very sorry to see you go and wish you all the best for the future.
Please note: Only the Primary member has the right to cancel a whole membership. We'll cancel your membership from the date that we receive your notice and forward you a refund of any excess premiums.