Cbhs Corporate Health Review

Overview

CBHS Corporate Health works directly with employers to provide employee health cover. Its parent fund, CBHS Health, was originally established in 1951 to provide cover for current and former Commonwealth Bank of Australia staff and their immediate families.

While membership of CBHS Health is restricted to current and former Commonwealth Bank employees and contractors, and their families, CBHS Corporate is available to all workplaces. They can work directly with your organisation to understand your needs and offer a range of solutions for your employees.

Hospital cover

Nobody chooses to go to hospital. But when you do, appropriate hospital cover will help you get the treatment you need, where and when you want it.

It also helps to pay the bills, as fees for hospital rooms and specialists can add up.

Think about what services you’re likely to need, in line with your budget. If you earn over $90,000 individually or $180,000 as a couple, taking out appropriate hospital cover may help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).

CBHS Corporate Health offers four types of hospital cover, ranging from Basic Plus Hospital for those who just want the basics, to Gold Hospital for complete peace of mind. 

Basic+ Hospital

CBHS Corporate Health’s entry-level policy allows you to choose your own doctor while receiving treatment in a public hospital shared room as a private patient.

Key inclusions:

• Emergency ambulance transport

• Surgically implanted prostheses

• Better living programs

Bronze+ Hospital 

Bronze Plus Hospital is a great option for healthy adults who want private hospital cover for most services.

Key inclusions:

• Joint reconstructions

• Hernia and appendix treatment

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer

Silver+ Hospital 

A popular option for young professionals and empty nesters, Silver Plus offers more than just the basics with some exclusions.

Key inclusions:

• Cataract treatment

• Treatment related to the vascular system and heart-related conditions

• Lung and chest treatments

Gold Hospital 

Gold Hospital is the highest level of hospital cover available for total peace of mind. It’s CBHS Corporate Health’s most comprehensive policy, meaning it covers all Medicare recognised services s.

Key inclusions:

• Hospital psychiatric services

• Palliative care

• Pregnancy and birth-related services

Ambulance cover 

All hospital policies include emergency ambulance cover when transported directly to hospital or treated at the scene due to a medical emergency.

Transport must be provided by a State Government ambulance service or a private ambulance service recognised by CBHS. WA residents are also eligible to claim non-emergency ambulance transportation of up to $5,000 a year. 

CBHS Corporate Health also offers a standalone ambulance policy, which covers transport from the scene of an accident but doesn’t include transfers between hospitals.

Extras cover 

From dental, to optical, to chiro and more, extras insurance helps cover the bills for routine treatments with rebates of up to 100%. CBHS Corporate Health extras reset on January 1 every year.

While we’ve summarised the key points of CBHS Corporate Health extras policies below, it’s always worth taking a closer look at  any gap fees, how much you can claim back, and whether your preferred healthcare provider is recognised by the insurer.

Take the time to work out what you need and what you’re prepared to pay. If this feels a bit overwhelming, our experts are here to help.

CBHS Corporate Health offers three different extras policies, ranging from Basic Extras, to cover the essentials, to Advanced Extras for an extensive range of services.

Basic Extras

Basic Extras covers the essentials, such as dental, physiotherapy and chiropractic services.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative dental ($210 annual limit)

• Prescribed optical appliances ($200 annual limit)

• Physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteotherapy ($200 combined annual limit)

Classic Extras

Intermediate Extras is a mid-range option that offers cover for additional popular services and higher overall limits.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative dental ($230 annual limit)

• Orthodontia ($700 annual limit p.a., $1400 lifetime limit)

• Podiatry ($250 annual limit)

Advanced Extras

Top Extras offers the highest level of extras cover available at CBHS Corporate overall limits, designed for those seeking security for an extensive range of services.

Key inclusions:

• Preventative dental (unlimited annual limit)

• General dental (unlimited annual limit)

• Speech therapy ($1850 annual limit)

Waiting periods

Waiting periods are there to stop people from signing up, claiming and then cancelling their cover. It means once you take out a new plan, you may have to wait a certain amount of time before receiving your benefit.

When you switch to CBHS Corporate Health from another provider, your waiting periods may be waived, unless your new policy covers something you didn’t have before.

Hospital waiting periods

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy & birth related services

• 2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care and all other hospital services

• 1 day for ambulance and accidents

Extras waiting periods

• 12 months for major dental

• 6 months for prescribed optical appliances

• 2 months for all other services

Member Benefits

CBHS Corporate Health offers a number of benefits for its members, including: 

• Joining offers

• Corporate and member discounts

• A national network of over 7,000 dental and optical providers

• Hospital substitute treatment and better living programs

They also work directly with workplaces to create tailor-made health and wellness solutions, such as:

• Immunisations, health checks, skin checks and health professional clinics 

• Massage therapy  

• Workshops and seminars: ergonomics and posture, nutrition, mindfulness, mental health 

• Physical activity classes: yoga, meditation, aerobics, boxing and dance 

How to claim

Hospital

Simply tell the hospital you hold a CBHS Corporate Health policy. Your hospital account will be sent directly to the insurer for assessment.

It might be a good idea to call your fund before your admission date to check what benefits you are entitled to and if there are any out-of-pocket expenses to consider.

Extras

You can swipe your membership card to claim directly on the spot using  your provider’s HICAPS or iSOFT terminal.

Members can also claim after the treatment via the CBHS Corporate Health mobile claiming app or through email, fax or mail.

Hospital agreements

CBHS Corporate Health has agreements with a large number of hospitals and day surgery providers across Australia.

When comparing policies, it’s worth checking if your preferred local hospitals and clinics are covered. Our specialists at Compare Club are happy to help. 

FAQ

1. Is CBHS Corporate Health Fund a not-for-profit fund?

No. CBHS Corporate Health is a for-profit insurer. However, its parent company, CBHS Health, is a not-for-profit fund, existing only to serve its members.

2. Who can apply? Are there restrictions? 

CBHS Corporate is available for all workplaces.

3. Is it easy to switch to CBHS Corporate Health Fund?

CBHS Corporate Health isn’t on our panel so it’s best to contact them directly to switch. We’re confident the Compare Club team can find you a great deal from the insurers on our panel.

4. Do I need to re-serve waiting periods?

If you switch to an equivalent or lower level of cover, you generally won’t have to serve new waiting periods. However, you may need to serve new waiting periods if your new policy includes additional services or higher benefits

5. Can I change my level of cover?

Yes, you can choose a lower or higher level of cover.

If you move to a higher level of cover, you will usually need to serve waiting periods on the extra services/higher benefits.

6. Do I get the government rebate?

For every dollar of private health insurance premiums, the Australian Government provides eligible Australians with a rebate of up to 33.4% (depending on your age and income). To learn what you’re entitled to, read our rebate guide.

7. Do I have to pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading?

If you’re 31 or over, you usually need to pay 2% loading for each year you’ve gone without hospital cover since the 1st July following your 31st birthday. You can find out more here.

8. Up to what age are children covered?

Children are automatically covered under family cover until they turn 18.

If they are full-time students, they’ll be covered  until the day before they turn 25 or cease full-time study (whichever comes first) at no extra cost.

This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.