What is LHC?
The Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is an Australian Government initiative. It’s been designed to encourage more people to take out hospital cover sooner rather than later and help ease the reliance on the public system.
How does it work?
If you don’t have hospital cover by 1 July following your 31st birthday and choose to take it out later in life, a loading of 2% will be added to your hospital cover premium for each year you were aged over 30 without it.
Does the LHC apply to my extras?
No, it doesn’t. If you choose a combined hospital and extras product the LHC loading will only be applied to the hospital cover portion of your policy.
We've done the calculations for you
Check out the table below to see what your LHC loading might be if you take out hospital cover after 1 July following your 31st birthday. As you can see, the longer you wait to take out hospital cover, the more the premium will increase. The maximum LHC loading is 70%.
| Age | % LHC Loading | How much extra you could pay per year* |
|---|---|---|
| 31 years old** | 2% | $20 |
| 32 years old | 4% | $40 |
| 33 years old | 6% | $60 |
| 34 years old | 8% | $80 |
| 35 years old | 10% | $100 |
| 36 years old | 12% | $120 |
| 37 years old | 14% | $140 |
| 38 years old | 16% | $160 |
| 39 years old | 18% | $180 |
| 40 years old | 20% | $200 |
* An example premium based on hospital cover that costs around $1,000 per year.
** After 1 July following your 31st birthday.
Does the LHC apply to everyone?
Some people may be exempt from the LHC loading including new migrants who have been registered for full Medicare benefits for less than 12 months, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders and members of the Australian Defence Force. People born on or before 1 July 1934 also don't have to pay a LHC loading.
To find out more about who is exempt you can visit the the government's private health website.
If you think you might qualify for an LHC exemption, you can apply using the LHC exemption form.
How to make the most of your cover
With hospital cover, benefits can be paid towards included services when you or a family member are admitted to hospital and treated as a private patient. If you're a private patient at a private hospital, you may also have more choice as to when you're admitted to hospital (depending on availability), giving you more time to focus on your and your family's health.
All of our hospital covers also include:
Unlimited Emergency Ambulance
No matter which hospital or extras policy you choose, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your cover includes unlimited emergency ambulance.1
Accident Cover Boost
If you have an Accident, you’ll have access to all clinical categories included in Gold level hospital cover, no matter what level of hospital cover you have, thanks to our Accident Cover Boost.2
24/7 Medibank Nurse and Mental Health Support
Medibank health insurance members can talk to a registered nurse or mental health professional over the phone or online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no extra cost.3
One of the largest health provider networks in Australia
We’ll help you make the most of your cover, with access to more than 470 Members’ Choice hospitals and over 3,600 Members’ Choice extras provider practices.
Awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance 17 years running
We're proud to deliver award-winning health insurance products, but don't just take our word for it. Canstar have awarded Medibank an outstanding value award for health insurance in Australia for the 17th year in a row.
Explore our hospital covers
The amount you pay before Medibank contributes to your hospital costs.
Still have questions?
If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, one of our staff members will happily get in contact and talk you through any questions you have.
Things you should know
¹ Waiting period applies. For ambulance attendance or transportation to a hospital where immediate medical attention is required and your condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way. TAS and QLD have State schemes that provide ambulance services for residents of those States.
² For Accidents that occur in Australia after your cover starts. Must seek medical treatment within 7 days, and receive hospital treatment within 12 months of the Accident occurring. Excludes Private Emergency Department Benefit, hospital bonus, claims covered by third parties and our Private Room Promise. Out-of-pocket costs may apply. For Gold hospital covers, Accident Cover Boost is not required because all clinical categories are Included, regardless of whether or not the treatment is required as a result of an Accident.
³ Some referred services may involve out-of-pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.