We understand that financial circumstances can change. Your health cover is there to support you when you need care, and we want to help you keep it working for your current needs and budget.
Here are a few ways you can manage your cover and payments.
Update your payment details
Adjusting your payment frequency can help you manage payments in line with a regular budget. You can set up a quarterly, bi-annual and annual invoices or make payments as often as fortnightly with a direct debit arrangement, spreading the costs into smaller, more frequent amounts.
To update your payment details, log in to your Member Portal and visit ‘Payment details’.
Review your cover
A cover review can help you find a hospital and/or extras cover that suits your current health needs and may reduce your premium too. As an ADF or ex-serving member, our Defence hospital products may offer more value at a lower premium.
Log in to your Member Portal and visit ‘Change my cover’ to compare your options.
Check your eligibility for government incentives
Your age or income can determine whether you're eligible for government incentives.
- Aged-based discount: Any adult aged 18-29 on eligible hospital cover could qualify for an ongoing premium discount. View your Certificate of Cover in your Member Portal to see whether this applies.
- Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance: If you earn less than $158,000 (singles) or $316,000 (families), the Australian Government provides rebates to make health insurance more affordable. Plus, you can choose to receive this rebate as a reduced premium. Visit Private health insurance rebate for more information.
Temporarily suspend your cover
If you’ve been with Defence Health for at least 12 months and are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible to suspend your policy for a minimum of three months and up to twelve months. You can resume your cover at any time (after the minimum suspension period) if your circumstances change.
To discuss your options, please call us on 1800 335 425.
- The suspension will also apply to all members listed in the policy.
- If you hold both Hospital and Extras covers, the suspension will apply to both products.
- You will not be able to claim or receive benefits for services received during the suspension period.
- You may be liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge while your cover is suspended. We recommend seeking advice from your accountant or the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
- You will need to wait 12 months if you have previously suspended your cover.
- You are allowed a lifetime limit of up to three hardship suspensions.
Get more value from your Extras cover
If you currently hold Extras cover, we want you to help make the most of your benefits. Depending on your level of cover, you may be eligible for benefits such as:
- No-gap preventative dental treatment at a network provider
- No-gap prescription glasses and discounts on in-store contact lenses through our optical network
- Physiotherapy, osteotherapy, podiatry and more.
Refer to your Product Guide for more details
