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The HCF No-gap Joints program

Peace of mind for eligible members with no out-of-pocket costs* (excluding hospital excess) for primary hip and knee replacements with participating private hospitals and clinicians.

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Why choose the HCF No-Gap Joints program

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No out-of-pocket costs*

From hospital admission, anaesthetists and surgeon fees, through to discharge and post-surgery rehab with participating private hospitals and clinicians.

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Access in key locations

Giving you the choice of specialists, hospitals and services in key locations.

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After surgery care

Support to get back on your feet after surgery, including a rehab program as deemed suitable by your participating surgeon.

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What am I covered for?

The No-Gap Joints program is a no out-of-pocket experience* (excluding hospital excess) for eligible members, covering surgeon costs, inpatient diagnostics like pathology and radiology, hospital services including accommodation and theatre, anesthetists and rehab if clinically required.

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Where can I access the program?

The program is available through participating surgeons at the hospitals listed below.

Manage your joint pain with early intervention

Early intervention can help to minimise the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, reduce pain intensity, improve mobility, and reduce or delay the need for knee replacement surgery.

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Knee osteoarthritis support

The GLA:D® Program for Osteoarthritis# has been designed to help reduce knee osteoarthritis symptoms and help to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery^.

Learn more
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Knee pain management

Delivered online or over the phone by HCF health coaches, the HCF Knee Osteoarthritis Program aims to help eligible members** improve their knee osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life.

Learn more
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How the No-Gap Joints Program helped Janet

After a fall left Janet in acute pain and needing knee replacement surgery, she discovered the benefits of our No-Gap Joints Program.

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Not a member yet?

You must have an appropriate level of HCF hospital cover for 12 months to be eligible for the No-Gap Joints Program. If you’re not a member and you're interested in the program, contact us today to find out more.

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Learn more about looking after your joints

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How to maintain strong and healthy joints

Here’s how to look after your joints and muscles during your senior years.

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How a physio can help relieve joint pain

Finding it hard to climb stairs? Relief might be as close as your local physio clinic.

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Joint pain: Why it’s worse for women

Here are some simple ways to ease your joint pain and get your life back on track.

Read more

Looking for more information?

We've answered some common questions about the No-Gap Joints program to help you get the information you need.

You must hold an HCF hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements for at least 12 months to be eligible for the No-Gap Joints Program. To be accepted into the program, you must meet the clinical criteria with a participating surgeon and hospital before the relevant program end date. You must also undergo your joint replacement surgery before the relevant program end date.

If you change cover or move health funds, the program is only available once you’ve held an HCF hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements for 12 months.  Excludes Overseas Visitors Health Cover.

If you're eligible, you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs except for any hospital excess, or small permitted gaps and additional costs for outpatient appointments, like a visit to your surgeon in their consulting rooms.

Additional services may also be needed if you have other medical conditions like diabetes or cardiac conditions as these aren’t covered by the No-Gap Joints Program.

If there are complications during your hospital admission that require additional care or services beyond what's included in the No-Gap Joints Program, there may also be additional costs.

If you’ve been charged any out-of-pocket costs and would like to check them with us, please get in touch by calling 13 13 34 or emailing service@myhcf.com.au

Your participating surgeon and hospital will advise and arrange your rehabilitation plan for you, which will be for a limited time. Please speak to your surgeon and hospital for more details.

The No-Gap Joints Program is proposed to end at:

  • East Sydney Private Hospital, NSW on 31 March 2027
  • The George Centre, NSW on 13 July 2026
  • Hurstville Private Hospital, NSW on 31 March 2027
  • King Street Private Hospital, NSW on 4 August 2026
  • Macquarie University Hospital, NSW on 1 October 2026
  • The Sydney Adventist Hospital, NSW with Dr Darren Paterson on 25 November 2026
  • Cabrini Brighton - Cabrini Health, Vic on 9 November 2026
  • Cabrini Malvern - Cabrini Health, Vic on 9 November 2026
  • Vermont Private Hospital, Vic on 30 April 2027
  • Eastwood Private Hospital, SA on 7 December 2026

You must undergo your joint replacement surgery before the proposed program end date.

All participating hospitals cover unilateral, standard joint replacements – that's first-time replacement surgery on one hip or knee at a time. The George Centre also offers coverage for bilateral joint replacements, which involve replacing both hips or knees during the same hospital admission. Cabrini hospitals offer coverage for complex primary hip and knee replacements.

You can choose any of the participating No-Gap Joints Program surgeons - please see the list of participating hospitals above. You’ll need to confirm whether the hospital and surgeon is available and they must accept you into the program.

To access the program, you’ll need to be accepted into the program in line with clinical criteria by a participating clinician and hospital on a patient-by-patient basis and undergo your joint replacement surgery before the relevant proposed trial program end date*.

If you can’t participate in the No-Gap Joints Program, you can still access No-Gap or Known Gap surgeons who participate in our No-Gap or Known Gap arrangement. Call us on 13 13 34 to find out more on hospitals and surgeons that are part of our participating network near you. Please note participating surgeons in the No-Gap Joints Program have the discretion to choose, in line with clinical criteria, if members are accepted into the program on a patient-by-patient basis.

Yes, the program is only available once you’ve held hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements with HCF for 12 months (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover).

For any questions, get in touch with us on 13 13 34 or email service@myhcf.com.au. We aim to get back to you within 2 business days.

As part of our No-Gap Joints Program we may email you a short survey about your experiences with HCF and the program. Hearing your feedback will help us improve the services we offer you and other members.

You must hold an HCF hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements for at least 12 months to be eligible for the No-Gap Joints Program. To be accepted into the program, you must meet the clinical criteria with a participating surgeon and hospital before the relevant program end date. You must also undergo your joint replacement surgery before the relevant program end date.

If you change cover or move health funds, the program is only available once you’ve held an HCF hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements for 12 months.  Excludes Overseas Visitors Health Cover.

If you're eligible, you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs except for any hospital excess, or small permitted gaps and additional costs for outpatient appointments, like a visit to your surgeon in their consulting rooms.

Additional services may also be needed if you have other medical conditions like diabetes or cardiac conditions as these aren’t covered by the No-Gap Joints Program.

If there are complications during your hospital admission that require additional care or services beyond what's included in the No-Gap Joints Program, there may also be additional costs.

If you’ve been charged any out-of-pocket costs and would like to check them with us, please get in touch by calling 13 13 34 or emailing service@myhcf.com.au

Your participating surgeon and hospital will advise and arrange your rehabilitation plan for you, which will be for a limited time. Please speak to your surgeon and hospital for more details.

The No-Gap Joints Program is proposed to end at:

  • East Sydney Private Hospital, NSW on 31 March 2027
  • The George Centre, NSW on 13 July 2026
  • Hurstville Private Hospital, NSW on 31 March 2027
  • King Street Private Hospital, NSW on 4 August 2026
  • Macquarie University Hospital, NSW on 1 October 2026
  • The Sydney Adventist Hospital, NSW with Dr Darren Paterson on 25 November 2026
  • Cabrini Brighton - Cabrini Health, Vic on 9 November 2026
  • Cabrini Malvern - Cabrini Health, Vic on 9 November 2026
  • Vermont Private Hospital, Vic on 30 April 2027
  • Eastwood Private Hospital, SA on 7 December 2026

You must undergo your joint replacement surgery before the proposed program end date.

All participating hospitals cover unilateral, standard joint replacements – that's first-time replacement surgery on one hip or knee at a time. The George Centre also offers coverage for bilateral joint replacements, which involve replacing both hips or knees during the same hospital admission. Cabrini hospitals offer coverage for complex primary hip and knee replacements.

You can choose any of the participating No-Gap Joints Program surgeons - please see the list of participating hospitals above. You’ll need to confirm whether the hospital and surgeon is available and they must accept you into the program.

To access the program, you’ll need to be accepted into the program in line with clinical criteria by a participating clinician and hospital on a patient-by-patient basis and undergo your joint replacement surgery before the relevant proposed trial program end date*.

If you can’t participate in the No-Gap Joints Program, you can still access No-Gap or Known Gap surgeons who participate in our No-Gap or Known Gap arrangement. Call us on 13 13 34 to find out more on hospitals and surgeons that are part of our participating network near you. Please note participating surgeons in the No-Gap Joints Program have the discretion to choose, in line with clinical criteria, if members are accepted into the program on a patient-by-patient basis.

Yes, the program is only available once you’ve held hospital cover that includes primary hip and knee replacements with HCF for 12 months (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover).

For any questions, get in touch with us on 13 13 34 or email service@myhcf.com.au. We aim to get back to you within 2 business days.

As part of our No-Gap Joints Program we may email you a short survey about your experiences with HCF and the program. Hearing your feedback will help us improve the services we offer you and other members.

Need help and support?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team are ready to help and guide you in the right direction.

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Call us

Get in touch with our team between Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (AEST/AEDT) or on Saturday, 9am to 1pm (AEST/AEDT).

Call us on 13 13 34
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Log in

Download the My Membership app or log into online member services to review or manage your cover.

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Important Information

* Eligible members will need to have HCF hospital cover including primary hip and knee replacements for 12 months (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover). Members must meet clinical criteria and be accepted into the program by a participating clinician and hospital. The program is only available at participating hospitals for a limited time. If you're eligible, you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs except for any hospital excess, small permitted gaps or additional costs for outpatient appointments, other medical conditions like diabetes or cardiac conditions or complications during your hospital admission.  

+ Our No-Gap Joints program also covers bilateral hip and knee replacements at The George Centre (which involves replacing both hips or knees during the same hospital admission).

# Eligibility criteria apply. For more information visit hcf.com.au/joint-health-programs

^ Source: https://gladaustralia.com.au/

** Eligibility criteria apply. For more information see hcf.com.au/hwfl

HCF acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and water upon which we work and live. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rich history as traditional healers and scientists, who have taken care of the health of the land and its people for thousands of years. We give thanks to elders past and present, who we have much to learn from on our reconciliation journey. View our Reconciliation Action Plan