Queensland Country Health Fund Review 2024

With a head office in Townsville, Queensland Country Health Fund is the only fund based in regional Queensland. It has almost 60,000 members and has a strong focus on providing health cover for its home state, as well as the Northern Territory.

The fund has three hospital packages and four extras policies. Please note that their policies are also sold under a number of different brand names, including Territory Health Fund.

There are also age-based discounts. The Queensland Country Health Fund isn't on our panel but we're confident we can get you a great deal on your health cover.

Hospital cover

Nobody chooses to go to hospital.

But when you do, 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, you could avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Queensland Country Health Fund offers two hospital policies, ranging from Bronze+ to Silver+.

Vital Hospital (Bronze+)

This level of cover provides you with a lower cost hospital option that covers a range of common surgeries. It's a policy that's likely to appeal to younger, healthier Australians. This policy comes with a $250, $500 or $700 hospital excess.

Key inclusions:

• Podiatric surgery

• Dental surgery

• Gynaecology

Better Hospital (Silver+)

Most extensive hospital product available with Queensland Country Health Fund. This policy comes with a $250 or $500 hospital excess.

Key inclusions:

• Cataracts

• Lung and chest

• Pregnancy and birth

Ambulance cover

Emergency ambulance cover is included on all hospital policies after a one-day waiting period. In some states, ambulance transport is unlimited - contact us for details.

Extras cover

Queensland Country Health Fund’s extras reset based on when you joined.

From dental, to optical, to chiro and more, extras insurance helps cover the bills for routine treatments with rebates of up to 100%.

While we’ve summarised the key points of Queensland Country Health Fund’s extras cover below, it’s always worth taking a closer look at potential gap fees, how much you can claim back, and whether your preferred healthcare provider is recognised by the health fund.

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.

Queensland Country Health Fund offers four extras policies. For further details, read on below.

Young Extras

Young Extras provides a wide range of benefits including dental, physio, optical and natural therapies. It’s ideal for people who want entry-level extras.

Key inclusions:

• General dental

• Optical

• Dietetics

• Remedial massage

Select Extras

Smart Extras cover orthodontic treatment, major dental, podiatry and more. This cover is best suited for young couples or families with young children.

Key inclusions:

• Podiatry

• Chiropractic and remedial massage

• Optical

Essential Extras

Smart Extras cover orthodontic treatment, major dental services, podiatry and more. You can also get 100% back on optical. This cover must be packaged with one of Queensland Country Health Fund’s hospital cover options.

Key inclusions:

• Braces and orthodontics

• Dietician

• Psychology

• Speech therapy 

Premium Extras

Premium Extras is the top level of extras cover and must be packaged with hospital cover offered by Queensland Country Health Fund. It is the only extras cover that offers benefits for orthodontics and offers unlimited dental.

Key inclusions:

• 100% back on your gym membership

• Braces and orthodontics

• Speech therapy

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 waiting periods

• 12 months for pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and birth

• 2 months for hospital psychiatric services, rehabilitation and palliative care as well as general services, and assisted reproductive services

• 1 day for accidents

Extra waiting periods

• 12 months for major dental, orthodontics

• 2 months for general dental, optical, audiology, dietician and all other health services

Member benefits

Queensland Country Health Fund provides a dental service that is exclusively for members in Townsville, Mackay and Mount Isa.

Members can also take advantage of Care Navigation if they have Silver+ cover. This service is aimed at members who require assistance immediately after a period of time in hospital or if you live with a chronic disease.

Accommodation is provided to members who have to travel for medical treatment in Brisbane or Townsville for low fees.

Members can enjoy Living Healthy, a magazine that is published twice a year that’s full of health information.

How to claim

Claim on the spot through the HICAPS app or payment system at your provider. You can also claim online.

Hospital agreements

Queensland Country Health Fund has agreements with a limited number of hospital 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 can do this for you.

Customer service

Queensland Country Health Fund received 0.1% of complaints in 2021, and has a market share of <0.5%^.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queensland Country Health Fund a not-for-profit fund?

Queensland Country Health Fund is a not-for-profit fund.

Who can apply for health insurance? Are there restrictions?

Only those who live in Queensland and the Northern Territory can apply to this health fund.

Is it easy to switch to the Queensland Country Health Fund?

Queensland Country Health Fund isn’t on our panel so you’ll need to contact them directly to switch. We’re confident the Compare Club team can find you a great deal from the insurers and health funds on our panel.

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

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 medical services/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 33.4% (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?

Children are automatically covered under family cover until the day before they turn 21. 

Sources

^Private Health Ombudsman, Queensland Country Health Fund, accessed 13 January 2022.