Managing your cover
How do I cancel my Overseas Visitors Health Cover?
If your visa is ending, you’re leaving Australia, or you no longer need your cover, you can cancel your cover by:
- calling us on 13 68 42
- emailing a completed OVHC cancellation form to OVHC_Service@hcf.com.au
- visiting an HCF branch.
Who can cancel the cover?
Only the policyholder or an authorised representative can ask us to cancel the cover.
When will my cover end?
Your cover will usually end on the date you requested provided that date is on or after the date you contacted us to cancel.
Can my cancellation be backdated?
We may backdate your cancellation to an earlier date if you provide us with sufficient evidence showing that you permanently left Australia or your eligible visa expired and was not replaced with an eligible visa for your policy. If the earlier date is verified by supporting evidence you provide, and it has not been more than 2 years since that date, we may refund eligible payments made after the cancellation date.
Depending on your reason for seeking to cancel retrospectively, the required evidence may be:
- a letter from the Department of Home Affairs showing your visa expiry date, or
- a flight ticket or passport stamp showing the date you left Australia.
Will I receive a refund?
If you paid in advance, we’ll refund any eligible amount on a pro rata basis based on the date your cover ends, noting that:
- The first month’s payment is not refundable.
- Any refund may be reduced by benefits that HCF has paid for services received after the cancellation date.
- We’ll return any refund to your original payment method.
What if I need cover again?
If you take out HCF Overseas Visitors Health Cover again, the usual waiting periods will apply, including any applicable waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
For more information, read the Overseas Visitors Health Cover Fund Rules or call us on 13 68 42.
What happens to my first month’s payment if I cancel my Overseas Visitors Cover?
If you cancel your cover, we’ll refund any payments you made in advance, except the first month which is non-refundable.
If you have any questions, we’re here to guide you. You can call our Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42 (option 1). It’s open Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5pm (AEST/AEDT).
I’m the policyholder. Can family members (on my policy) access our Overseas Visitors Cover?
They have some access, including making claims, adding dependants, upgrading the level of cover and changing contact details.
Only you (as the policyholder) can make changes like removing someone from the policy, changing payment details, lowering the level of cover and cancelling the cover.
If you want to choose someone on the policy to have the same access as you, complete and submit an Authority to Operate Form.
If you have any questions, we’re here to guide you. You can call our Overseas Visitors Helpline on 13 68 42 (option 1). It’s open Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5pm (AEST/AEDT).