STORIES OFUNCOMMON CARE

A debilitating lung condition could have kept Shirley Barbuto in the hospital for an indefinite period of time. Instead, HCF's Treatment at Home program^* allowed her to receive twice-daily IV antibiotics and lung rehabilitation in the comfort of her own surroundings.

“I had a lot of freedom to continue my daily activities after the nurse had come to see me each morning... It made a huge difference to my day-to-day normality and happiness.”

After giving birth to her premature twin boys Oliver and Myles, Jocelyn and her family have relied on lifesaving medical procedures for the past two decades. Thanks to their HCF family cover, the twins have been able to have procedures throughout their childhood, like the removal of adenoids and tonsils, done quickly in a private hospital.

“People might think health insurance is expensive but if you break it down to a weekly cost, it’s actually not – especially when you’ve got children. When I take the boys to the dentist, I always find the HCF providers... They get their teeth cleaned and looked after twice a year, and I never have to pay^{^}.”

Our COACH^® program supports eligible members⁺ with heart-related conditions or diabetes, like helping HCF member Joseph make life-changing positive steps to be fitter and stronger.

Joseph felt confident knowing the telehealth COACH program was offered by HCF with in-house health professionals like dietitians, pharmacists and nurses to support him. Having been a member for over 50 years, Joseph says he’s always felt supported by HCF.

“All the appointments were over the phone, that was a first, for me! But it has been really good.”

Throughout 60 years of family health crises and her own medical problems, Jenny has relied on her health cover for support.

During her time with HCF, Jenny has built up many good relationships with doctors, nurses and technicians, especially at places she attends regularly, like the eyecare hospital. She also reaches out to the health cover experts at HCF for helpful advice about her cover whenever she needs it.

“I had a knee replacement earlier this year and because of my level of HCF cover, my out-of-pocket expenses were significantly reduced…and they even covered most of my visits to the rehab hospital for physio after I left there.” 

Janet has been an HCF member for almost 40 years. After a fall left her in acute pain and needing knee replacement surgery, she discovered the benefits of our No-Gap Joints program^#.

By going through the program, Janet’s only out-of-pocket expense was the hospital excess and one session with the physio in the pre-admission clinic. The rest was covered by HCF.

“Going through the No Gap Joints process like I did, you get plenty of tips on preparing yourself and your house with all the equipment needed, like toilet rails. No-one else tells you all that.”

Matthew’s world turned upside down with his testicular cancer diagnosis. Luckily he had access to our treatment at home^* as part of his HCF health cover, which meant he didn’t have to go to hospital and instead was treated from the comfort of his lounge.

“We just assumed that he'd have to have chemo somewhere and have to travel.... then they said that they were going to do it at home and it was just such a relief.”

After trying different diets, former professional athlete Guy found a weight management program that seemed perfect for his lifestyle.

Having been an HCF member since 2013, Guy was excited to find out that he was eligible for support from HCF to achieve his health goals by signing up to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing diet.

“HCF [is] paying for me to be a better person – a healthier person – is an incredible advantage to my health…I genuinely do appreciate it.”

“Giving the member that call was the happiest moment of my day, because I knew I’d done the right thing. Getting it resolved in one day was unbelievable.”

Rekha, Senior Member Care Consultant

^* Available with HCF contracted providers, subject to member location and hospital cover. Waiting periods apply. You must have a suitable home environment to be treated in.

^{^} 100% back at More for You program providers in our No-Gap network is available on selected covers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Our No-Gap network of healthcare providers changes often. Please check that your provider is part of our No-Gap network before you book or attend an appointment. See hcf.com.au/100back

⁺ Eligibility criteria apply. For more information see hcf.com.au/coach

^# Members must have an active hospital policy that covers primary hip and knee replacements for 12 months with HCF (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover) and be accepted into the program by a participating clinician and hospital based on clinical criteria. You may be required to pay a hospital excess, depending on your cover and if you're claiming for the first time in the calendar year. There may also be some small permitted gaps and additional costs for outpatient appointments, like a visit to your surgeon in their consulting rooms. Program is only available at participating hospitals for a limited time. For more information, including list of participating hospitals and program end dates see hcf.com.au/nogapjoints

^** 88.7% compared to 84.4% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report data 2015–24 and Quarterly private health insurance statistics July 2024–June 2025.

^{^^} Based on claims data received from providers.