9 ways to get more value from HCF health cover
HealthAgenda
Private Health Insurance
9 ways to get more value from HCF health cover
Published February 2026 | 5 min read
Words by Angela Tufvesson
From 100% back on selected extras to digital tools and tailored support programs, here’s how to get even more from your HCF health cover.
As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, HCF has given members more back for every dollar paid in premiums than the industry average over the past decade*.
HCF health cover offers a range of programs and support to help you stay proactive about your health – and the health of your loved ones.
We want to help you make the most of these services and get even more value from your health cover. Here’s how.
1. Personalise your extras cover
With our range of flexible extras covers, you can personalise your cover to better suit your health and lifestyle needs.
Choose My Extras allows you to select and swap your extras services as your needs change^, so you only pay for what you intend to use (as long as no-one on the policy has claimed on them during the year).
Flex My Extras offers basic extras cover for singles and couples with a flexible single limit that can be used on any covered service+, plus an additional optical limit and remedial massage limit.
2. Get 100% back on popular extras
You can get 100% back# on a range of preventive and diagnostic extras like dental check-ups and your first visit to a physio, chiro or osteo. Our No-Gap network has over 17,000 participating provider locations, helping you access preventive care with less worry about bills.
3. Review hospital and extras cover when your needs change
Regularly reviewing your cover and making changes or upgrades helps to make sure it meets your needs and you get value for money. Moving in with a partner, starting a family, taking up a new sport or a change in your health can be ideal times to check if you’re missing benefits you need or you’re paying for things you don’t use.
4. Use the HCF provider network
Lower your out-of-pocket costs by using our extensive No-Gap network. The easy-to-use Find a Provider tool can connect you with health professionals, including dentists, physios, chiros and more. You can also book an appointment online with selected More for Teeth providers.
For hospital stays, search for specialists, doctors and surgeons and gain an understanding of what they might charge. To access lower or No-Gap hospital services under your policy, you can search for a participating hospital near you.
You can also save on out-of-pocket costs for the most common procedures using our cost indicator tool, which gives you an idea of the typical costs for some of the most common hospital procedures.
5. Access health programs to stay healthy
HCF offers a range of health programs to support you on your health journey (eligibility criteria apply).
Joint health programs help you reduce and manage pain, strengthen and improve mobility and prevent, delay or prepare for surgery. They include:
- GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) Member Feedback Program for Knee Osteoarthritis
- Knee Osteoarthritis Program
- Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life
- No-Gap Joints program for primary hip and knee replacements.
Heart health and diabetes programs help promote healthy lifestyle behaviours and reduce risk factors. They include:
- The COACH Program®
- Cardihab trial
- HCF Heart and Diabetes Health Checks, delivered by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
- CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet for guidance on healthy eating.
6. Use digital tools and resources
Make the most of your private health insurance by tapping into the digital tools already at your fingertips:
- HCF Healthful app: Helps you track your real-time health and wellbeing, offering a personalised Health Score and 24/7 digital coach**.
- Sleepfit app: Identify sleep issues and find improvements. HCF members with hospital or extras cover (excluding OVHC) get a free 12-month Sleepfit subscription.
- Daybreak app: Change your relationship with alcohol for the better and use the Drink Tracker to help you manage your intake. (Available to all Australians for free, but eligible HCF members can also be referred to additional mental health support through Daybreak^^).
- Podcasts: Menopause Matters and Navigating Parenthood.
- Preparing for Hospital tool: Learn how a procedure works, how to prepare and what to expect in hospital.
7. Get support from home
Connect with fast and convenient online mental health support from the comfort of your home:
- HealthyMinds Check-in: eligible HCF members can get a free annual 20- or 50-minute, one-on-one chat with a psychologist online^^.
- THIS WAY UP: Evidence-based online treatment programs (free when prescribed by a clinician, otherwise $59 per course or HCF will cover the cost of eligible programs depending on your extras cover, up to your annual limit)^^.
- Calm Kid Central: Online educational support for kids aged four to 11^^.
You can also book online GP appointments with GP2U for general queries like prescriptions and referrals – and through HCF's partnership with GP2U, eligible members can access an online standard GP consultation (up to 10 minutes) for a fee of $50++. Get support for weight management with health programs and free or discounted access to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet for eligible members##. Our Second Opinion service offers eligible members a free, confidential second opinion on a health condition from a medical specialist***. You can also book appointments through Find a Provider with our BookNow tool.
8. Get special offers and discounts with HCF Thank You
With HCF Thank You, you get access to a range of rewards, offers and discounts as a way of saying thank you for choosing and sticking with us^^^. You could save on average up to $900+++ a year on items like groceries, fuel and entertainment to help ease cost of living pressures and offset the cost of your health cover. Use the HCF Thank You app to browse personalised offers and discounts, earn rewards and track savings.
Chat to us about your health cover
To chat to our friendly, award-winning### Australia-based team about whether your cover is right for you, call us on 13 13 34 or visit a branch.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* 88.7% compared with 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–March 2025.
^ If the policyholder swaps in teeth whitening, major dental, orthodontics or minor podiatric procedures, a 12-month waiting period will apply from the date of the swap.
+ Singles and Couples only. Flexible $650 single limit plus $175 optical limit and $100 remedial massage and myotherapy limit per person, per year.
# 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. Visit hcf.com.au/100back
** Must have an active HCF health, life cover or Overseas Visitors Health Cover policy. Excludes members on Accident Only Basic, Ambulance Only and RT Health policies.
^^ Eligibility criteria apply. For more information, visit hcf.com.au/mental-support
++ Eligibility criteria apply. For more information, visit hcf.com.au/gp2u
## Eligibility criteria apply. For more information, visit hcf.com.au/csiro-total-wellbeing-diet
*** Eligibility criteria apply. For more information, visit hcf.com.au/secondopinion
^^^ To be eligible, you must have an active HCF health, life or Overseas Visitors Health insurance policy and your premiums must be up to date (excluding Ambulance Only and RT Health Cover). Offers and partners are subject to change without advance notice. See the HCF Thank You Terms available at hcf.com.au/thank-you-app
+++ Based on discounts available through HCF partners (Aug 2023) and average category spend from ABS Household Expenditure Survey, Australia (2017).
### HCF won Service Champion award for Customer Service Organisation of the Year (Large Contact Centre) by the Customer Service Institute of Australia, 2025.
This communication contains information which is copyright to The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF). It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, HCF does not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on this website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. HCF members should rely on authoritative advice they seek from qualified practitioners in the health and medical fields as the information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.
