HIF Health Insurance Review

HIF is a not-for-profit, member-focused health fund. Their philosophy is to give members the freedom to choose when it comes to their healthcare providers while delivering affordable health insurance options tailored to their needs.

Hospital cover

HIF have 5 hospital covers, 6 extras covers and 2 combinded packaged products to suit each stage of life. Members have exclusive access to a range of added member benefits through our partnerships with a range of health and wellbeing partners, member competitions, bonus discounts on optical items and great value travel insurance plus more.

Hospital cover provides protection to ensure that while you may not want to, if you need to go to hospital, you can get the flexibility of choosing the type of treatment you want.

It's important to consider what type of cover you have and that it meets your needs. Hospital cover can cover the cost towards your hospital accommodation, theatre fees and specialist fees while in hospital. If you earn above $101 000 as a single or $202 000 as a couple or family, you can also avoid paying the Medicare levy surcharge.

HIF have a number of budget friendly options from a basic level for those just wanting the basics all the way to a silver plus level for those wanting peace of mind around their health needs.

All HIF hospital covers come with unlimited emergency and non-emergency ambulance cover. When using the non-emergency transport, a co-payment of $50 per trip will apply. Note: Emergency ambulance costs for Queensland and Tasmanian residents are covered by their respective state schemes. Find out more about Ambulance Cover here.

Get a quote to find out more.

Basic Plus Hospital

This level of hospital includes many treatments that typically come with a higher level of cover. It’s targeted towards younger families who want a budget friendly policy with a few common included treatments.

Key inclusions:

• Joint Reconstructions

• Hernia and Appendix

• Tonsils, Adenoids and Grommets

Bronze Hospital

Great value for the young, fit and healthy. It includes commonly used inpatient hospital services like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer and more.

Key inclusions:

• Ear, nose and throat

• Bone, joint and muscle

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy

Bronze Plus Hospital

Like bronze, plus includes 5 additional services. Suitable for couples and Australian families wanting a good number of inclusions and wanting to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Key inclusions:

• Lung and chest

• Blood

• Dental surgery

Silver Hospital

Intermediate cover for those a little more conscious about their health needs without requiring all the bells and whistles.

Key inclusions:

• Heart and vascular systems

• Back, neck and spine

• Sleep studies

Silver Plus Hospital

Covers most inpatient services minus maternity for those wanting a high level of care..

Key inclusions:

• Joint replacements

• Cataracts

• Insulin pumps

Extras cover

HIF's extras limits review every calendar year (January 1st). You can purchase a policy on its own or combine it with hospital cover. You're entitled to cover for emergency ambulance transportation or attendance if you have both hospital and 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%.

These summaries may provide an idea of each cover, it's always worthwhile speaking to an expert to get an idea of the cover you need and what you can claim back for those important services.

HIF have 6 different extras packages to chose from. This can be overwhelming, that's why we're here to help.

1. Basic Extras

HIF's entry level extras package for the younger singles and couples with few health concerns..

Key inclusions:

• General dental

• Physiotherapy

• Optical

2. Value Extras

Cover for the basics with the additon of natural therapies and higher limits for those focused on preventative measures.

Key inclusions:

• Complementary Therapies

• Healthy Lifestyle

• Podiatry

3. Simple Extras

Simple Extras is our great-value Extras cover that offers 60% or more back on most common treatments.

Key inclusions:

• Major Dental

• Pharmacy

• Exercise Physiology

4. Essential Extras

Essential Extras includes all those essential services a established family might look for.

Key inclusions:

• Orthodontics

• Dietetics

• Gym memberships

5. Advanced Extras

Advanced Extras is one of HIF's higher value extras cover options. It includes cover for over 20 services and offers 100% back on your first two dental check ups when visiting an HIF Choice Network dental provider.

Key inclusions:

• Orthotics

• Speech Therapy

• Psychology

6. Top Extras

HIF's most comprehensive extras cover that offers the highest limits, returns and inclusions.

Key inclusions:

• Hearing Aids

• Health aids, appliances and external prosthesis

• Diabetes Education

Waiting periods

To stop people signing up, claiming, then cancelling their health insurance, all insurers apply waiting periods. Generally, the more expensive the treatment, the longer you'll wait. But keep an eye out for special deals with waiting periods reduced or waived.

Hospital and extras waiting periods

Hospital waiting periods

• 1 day for accident cover

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions, ailments or illnes

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

Extras waiting periods

• 12 months for major dental services, orthodontics, health appliances, health aids and IVF drugs

If you've transferred from another fund on a comparable policy and have already served the waiting period, you’ll be able to make a claim straight away. There are no waiting periods for accidents that happen to you after joining the fund.

Member benefits

HIF members receive:

• Every quarter, HIF members receive a copy of their SmartHealth newsletter, packed full of competitions, recipes, helpful articles and health tips.

• Members also receive great value travel insurance with HIF's travel insurance polcies.

How to claim:

HIF members have access to a range of different avenues when it comes to claiming. You can claim using the HIF Member mobile app, by email, by mail or instantly with eClaiming for Extras services, or direct via HIF for hospital and medical claims. In any case, it’s quick and easy. You’ll have your benefit in no time.

HIF works with most private hospitals and clinics across Australia under formal agreements.

Before committing to a HIF policy, make sure that they have an agreement with your local hospital or clinic.

Our health cover experts at Compare Club can do this for you.

Customer service

HIF has one of the lowest complaint referrals in the industry as of September 2025, indicating most of their customers are happy with their service. Source: Ombudsman.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HIF a not-for-profit fund?

Yes, HIF is a registered non-for-profit insurer.

Who can apply? Are there restrictions?

HIF is open to all Australian residents.

Is it easy to switch to HIF?

HIF is on our panel and we’re confident our Compare Club experts can find you a great deal from the exceptional policies they have on offer.

Do I need to re-serve waiting periods?

If you switch to a comparable or lower level of cover with HIF, you won’t have to serve new waiting periods as long as you have already served them with your previous fund.

Can I change my level of cover?

Yes, you can change your level of cover. Remember, though, that if you take out a higher level of cover, you may need to re-serve new waiting periods on any extra services or higher benefits.

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 32.385% (depending on your age and income). To learn what you’re entitled to, read our rebate guide.

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.

Up to what age are children covered?

At HIF, a policyholder’s adult child can be covered so long as they are under 21 years of age, or up to 31 years if they are a fulltime student.

Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert,  Chris Stanley

Chris's top health insurance tips:

• 1

  Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.

• 2

  An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.

• 3

  Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.

• 4

  Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).