CARE WHEN IT COUNTS
We have treatment at home options for eligible members on a range of treatments because we want to give you the choice of how you’re treated, whenever we can.
Treatments at home aren’t actually covered by our policies like treatment in hospital is. But we’ve chosen to pay for some treatments you can have in the comfort of your own home with HCF-contracted providers when we can make sure the treatment can be given safely and at the same, or better, quality than in hospital. These treatments at home are also called hospital-substitute treatment (or HST) because the treatment at home takes the place of treatment you’d have had to go to, or stay longer in, hospital for. Ask your doctor or hospital if there’s an option to be treated at home in your case – not all treatments available to HCF members can be provided at home. Learn more about the treatments that are currently available at home.
Our treatment at home network continues to grow, enabling us to treat more members in more locations. To see the list of current providers, view the HST provider list.
Giving you treatment where you want it, when you need it. That’s care when it counts. Uncommon Care.
WHAT TREATMENT CAN I HAVE AT HOME?
Treatment at home is only available for selected treatments and if you're eligible. It’s important to know that if you’d be covered for the treatment in hospital, and your treating doctor agrees you can have treatment at home instead, we’ll work with you, your doctor and hospital to cover the cost of the treatment at home for eligible HCF members who need:
- intravenous (IV) therapy antibiotics
- complex wound care with negative pressure wound therapy
- rehabilitation after a hip or knee replacement
- chemotherapy
- some immunotherapy for chronic diseases
- palliative care in the home.
You might be able to choose your HCF-contracted treatment at home provider depending on where you live and the treatment you need.
WHAT ISN’T COVERED?
While we’re expanding services for treatment at home, we only cover the specific treatments listed above through HCF-contracted treatment at home providers.
For example, HCF cannot cover you for hospital in the home treatment if the reason you’re in hospital or need treatment at home is in any way related to an incident, accident or surgery you can claim compensation for from another party (like a workers compensation insurer, motor accident authority or a public liability insurer) then you won’t be covered by your private health insurance.
If you’re over 65 and need some care at home, My Aged Care can provide you with help at home and care after your hospital stay for things that aren’t covered by your private health insurance.
HOW DOES TREATMENT AT HOME GET ORGANISED FOR ME?
You should talk to your treatment team/doctor about at-home treatment options while you’re in hospital. HCF is not able to arrange care for you (your doctor does).
We’ve sent hospitals a list of providers that HCF has contracts with to give selected treatment at home to members, so they’re familiar with the types of treatment at home we’ll cover eligible members for. Your treatment team/doctor should refer you straight to an HCF-contracted treatment at home provider.
There are no out-of-pocket costs for treatment at home through HCF-contracted treatment at home providers.
You can email hst@hcf.com.au to find out about our HCF-contracted treatment at home providers – where they operate and what treatment they can give to eligible members.
Our contracted treatment at home providers will be able to assess your needs and tell your treating team if you’re eligible. Each type of treatment has slightly different criteria but generally, to be eligible, you’ll need to:
- be a current HCF member
- have served waiting periods for pre-existing conditions
- be covered for the treatment you’re having if you were admitted to hospital
- need treatment that you would have had to stay in hospital for
- ensure your doctor considers that you’re suitable to receive treatment at home and arranges a referral
- live in an area served by an HCF-contracted treatment at home provider
- have a suitable home environment to be treated in.
UNCOMMON CARE IS HELPING YOU FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS
HCF’s treatment at home program was a godsend for Matthew Grootenboer, a married fireman with four children, after he discovered in June 2019 that he had testicular cancer.
Watch video
PALLIATIVE CARE AT HOME
We don’t always get the opportunity to choose where we die, but when we do have the choice, receiving end-of-life care at home can provide greater comfort, dignity and support. HCF is trialling a Palliative Care at Home program to help eligible members access compassionate, clinically appropriate care in the comfort of their home, as an alternative to hospital*. The program is currently available in selected areas in NSW, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast.
Depending on individual needs, care at home may include:
- care planning and coordination with your healthcare team
- symptom management and clinical support
- personal care services
- counselling support
- overnight or intensive end-of-life support (where required)
- bereavement support and referrals for carers and immediate family members.
You may be eligible if you:
- have expressed a preference to die at home
- have a serious, life-limiting illness with a prognosis of approximately 6 months or less
- are not receiving curative treatment
- have care needs that can be safely managed in a home setting
- have a safe and suitable home environment for care delivery
- hold an eligible HCF hospital policy that includes palliative care
- have served relevant waiting periods (where applicable)
- live within a serviceable area covered by one of HCF’s contracted providers in NSW, Townsville and Sunshine Coast QLD.
Palliative Care at Home is a referral-based program. Speak with your doctor about referral options. If appropriate, care will be arranged through one of HCF’s approved providers and tailored to your needs.
If you live outside the serviceable area, please email us at hst@hcf.com.au and we’ll contact you to chat through how we might be able to provide support.
DIALYSIS AT HOME
In partnership with Kidney Solutions, we’re trialling a new home-based dialysis care model. The Dialysis at Home Program trial provides haemodialysis with a registered nurse to eligible members^ in the comfort of their own home.
By coordinating with the member’s specialist and hospital, the nurse-led program provides personalised care and support to deliver the dialysis they need, with the goal of improving member experience and health outcomes.
Participation in the trial is by invitation only^ and only eligible HCF members will be considered for the trial. Eligible HCF members may be contacted to seek their interest in participating in the program at no extra cost to the member.
If you'd like to learn more about the program, email hst@hcf.com.au
VITALIS HOSPITAL AT HOME
In partnership with Vitalis Health, we’re trialling a new virtual hospital care model. The Vitalis Hospital at Home Program trial+ combines virtual patient monitoring with home-based healthcare services to provide integrated care for eligible members with complex health conditions, to prevent hospital readmission and length of stay in hospital.
By coordinating with members’ GPs, specialists and hospitals, the nurse-led program provides personalised care and support through advanced technology with active and remote monitoring, telehealth, health coaching and home-based clinical services. This means eligible members can receive a broader range of care in the comfort of their home, with the goal of improving member experience and health outcomes.
The program expands HCF’s virtual health presence with a unique combination of technology and expert clinical support, bringing patient monitoring and health coaching directly to members’ homes.
Participation in the trial is by invitation only. Eligible HCF members will be contacted to confirm their interest in participating in the program at no cost to the member.
If you'd like to learn more about the program, email hst@hcf.com.au
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
If you have any questions or aren't sure what your options are we're here to help. You can reach out to us by emailing hst@hcf.com.au
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* To be eligible, members will need to live in a serviceable area in NSW, Townsville or the Sunshine Coast QLD, receive a referral from their doctor or treating specialist, have HCF hospital cover that includes palliative care and have served applicable waiting periods (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover). Other eligibility criteria apply. The program is available until 12 June 2028 and HCF reserves the right to change or terminate the trial at any time.
^ This program is available to members by invitation only. To be considered, members will need to have HCF hospital cover that includes dialysis for chronic kidney disease and served applicable waiting periods (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover). Other eligibility criteria apply. The program is available for eligible HCF members within the Sydney metropolitan area until 12 May 2028.
+ This program is available to members by invitation only. Members will need to have HCF hospital cover and served applicable waiting periods (excluding Overseas Visitors Health Cover). Other eligibility criteria apply. Program is only available until 11 November 2026.
