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Reviewed and updated 29 May 2024

About HIF

What is HIF?

Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) is a private health insurer that operates as an open health fund

Background

HIF was established in 1954 as the Western Australian Government Railways Employees Hospital and Medical Benefits Fund Inc. It changed its name to the Health Insurance Fund of WA in 1978. 

To reflect its increasingly nationwide membership, it became the Health Insurance Fund of Australia in 2010.

HIF has around 120,000 members and claims to be Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral health fund. 

Who can join HIF?

Anyone can join HIF because it is an open health fund.

What products does HIF offer?

HIF offers:

Do HIF policies include Ambulance Cover?

HIF includes emergency Ambulance Cover with:

  • Extras Cover
  • Combined Hospital and Extras Cover. 

If your use of an ambulance is classified as non-urgent, you have to make a $50 co-payment. This cover covers only road ambulance.


Is HIF a not-for-profit health insurer?

Yes. HIF is a not-for-profit health insurer.


Does HIF operate in all Australian states and territories?

Yes. HIF operates in all Australian states and territories.


How does HIF Hospital Cover compare with other insurers?

BenchmarksHIFIndustry average
Member retention for Hospital Cover75.9%86.9%
% hospital-related charges covered89.7%89.9%

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


Does HIF have agreements with some private hospitals or day hospitals to provide services at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs?

Yes. HIF has agreements with a number of private hospitals that allow it to provide services to its members at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs:

LocationNumber of private Agreement HospitalsIndustry maximum
ACT56
NSW9298
NT22
QLD4960
SA1923
TAS89
VIC7376
WA2124

HIF also has agreements with a number of day hospitals so it can provide services at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs:

LocationNumber of day Agreement HospitalsIndustry maximum
ACT88
NSW84103
NT12
QLD4857
SA2430
TAS48
VIC6879
WA2024

Source: HIF: performance


How does HIF Extras Cover compare with other insurers?

BenchmarkHIFIndustry average
% Extras Cover charges covered46.3%51.1%

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


How does HIF compare with other private health insurers?

BenchmarksHIFIndustry average
Market share0.7%
% services with no gap89.6%88.3%
% services with no gap or where known gap payment made97.8%97.2%
Market share of complaints to the PHIO0.9%3.1%
% complaints investigated by the PHIO3.3%3.1%
Benefits as a % of contributions78.8%80.5%
Management expenses as a % of contribution income15.2%13.1%
Management expenses per average policy$540$592

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


Is HIF a member of any industry associations?

Yes. HIF is a member of Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), a body that represents 20 registered health insurers and 97% of people covered by private health insurance.

It is also a member of the Members Health Fund Alliance, an alliance of not-for-profit, member-owned, regional or community-based health insurers.


Does HIF let me claim online or via an app?

Yes. HIF allows you to make a claim online via its new Member Centre or the HIF Member mobile app.


How to contact HIF

Phone:

1300 134 060

Website:

https://www.hif.com.au/

Email:

hello@hif.com.au

Address:

100 Stirling Street
PERTH WA 6000

Postal address:

GPO Box X2221
PERTH WA 6847


Compare HIF with other private health insurers

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