Keep your children covered for longer
In response to your feedback we are extending the maximum age for dependants. This means that, from 1 October 2023, you can keep your adult children covered on your policy up until their 32nd birthday.
There are no changes to the coverage of dependants under 21. They will stay covered on your policy while they're under 21, regardless of whether they're studying or not. Once they reach 21, you may need to take some action to keep them covered. There's a couple of different options available.
Options for you and your dependant
For some dependants, staying on their parents’ cover will be better. For others, it may be more cost-effective to take out their own individual cover. Our team is happy to walk you through the best options for your family.
Full time students
Dependants can stay covered under our Family cover until their 32nd birthday as long as they are:
- studying full-time; and
- not married or living in a de facto relationship
Register your student dependant
Not studying full-time
If your dependant is under 32 and not studying full time, they can choose to take out their own cover or be covered under your policy.
To be covered under your policy they can’t be married or living in a de facto relationship. You must also be on one of our Extended Family policies.
Turning 32, married, or entered into a de facto relationship
Once your dependant turns 32, marries or enters a de facto relationship, they can no longer be covered under family cover.
They will need to take out their own cover to access the benefits that private health insurance provides such as treatment with their choice of doctor, or help with the costs of extras services.
They can avoid having to re-serve any waiting periods by:
- choosing a level of cover that is equal to or lesser than their family cover; and
- transferring within 2 months of leaving their family cover
They will need to serve any waiting periods for higher benefits or new services they add to their new cover.
Questions and answers
1. What are the advantages if my dependant takes out their own policy?
By taking out their own policy, your dependant can choose the cover that best suits their needs. As their needs evolve they’ll have the flexibility to change their policy without impacting your level of health cover.
Your dependant may also be eligible for a discount if they have their own policy. This includes the youth discount that could provide them with up to 10% discount until they turn 41.
2. My dependant was taken off my family policy when they turned 25, can they be added back on?
If they meet eligibility criteria, your dependant may be able to re-join a family policy.
Not all policies allow for dependants, so depending on your current level of cover you may need to be on or upgrade to a Family or Extended Family Membership (depending on their study status).
3. What's Extended Family Cover?
If your dependants aren't full-time students, and are unmarried or not in a de facto relationship, you can continue to cover them until they turn 32 with Extended Family Cover.
This is available on most levels of cover and will add a loading to your premium.
Extended Family Cover will replace Family Focus cover from 1 October 2023.
4. What happens if my dependant is aged between 21 and 32 and there is a change to their study status, they are married or entered into a de facto relationship?
You must contact us at the time of the change, as it may require a review of your cover.
5. We currently have a Family Focus/Single parent Family Focus Membership and my dependants are aged between 21 and 24, what do I need to do?
We will automatically change your membership type to the new Extended Family or Extended Sole Parent Family options. There is no change to your policy. Your dependants can remain on the cover until they turn 32, as long as they are not married or in a de facto relationship.
6. We currently have a Family/Single parent Family Membership and my dependants are aged between 21 and 24, what do I need to do?
There is no change to your policy. Your dependants can remain on the cover until they turn 32, as long as they are studying full-time, not married or have enter into a de facto relationship.
We're always here to help
If you have any questions about the extended maximum age of dependants and what it means for your cover, then please call us on 8225 9675 to discuss your options and find the best cover for you and your family.
Alternatively, you can request our team to contact you.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.