Waiting Periods
When you become a GMF Health member – or if you’re already a member who wants to upgrade to a higher level of cover – there are waiting periods that apply before you can start making claims.
Without waiting periods, people could take out health cover for an expensive operation or procedure and then cancel their policy afterwards. This would make the cost of claims rise – and these extra costs would need to be covered by all other members through higher premiums.
Waiting periods help to protect you and our other GMF Health members by making health insurance more affordable. Here is a guide to our waiting periods.
|
Hospital Waiting Periods (including Medical Gap benefits) |
Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing Ailments or Conditions^ |
12 months |
| Maternity* | 12 months |
| Assisted Reproductive Services (including IVF) Cosmetic Surgery (with MBS item number only) Joint Replacement Psychiatric Care Sterilisations (no benefit payable for reversals) Other Hospital Treatments |
2 months (pre-existing ailments |
^Does not apply for psychiatric rehabilitation or palliative care.
* If you have a single policy, you need to apply for family cover within 30 days of your baby's birth for your baby to be covered on your policy.
| Extras Waiting Periods | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 1 day |
| Accommodation Audiology Chiropractic Dieticians Exercise physiology Eye therapy Home Nursing Hospital boarders Natural Therapies Nutritionist Occupational Therapy Osteopathy Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Speech Therapy Travel costs |
2 months |
| Optical - spectacles | 3 months |
| Dental - general | 6 months |
| Ante-Natal classes Clinical Psychology Dental - major Optical - contacts Orthotic appliances |
12 months |
| Health Management Aids | 12-36 months |
| Hearing Aids | 24 months |
More Information on pre-existing aliments, conditions and waiting periods are in our Important Information about your membership brochure.