Switch Health Insurance | No re-serving waiting periods

Q: How do I change my health insurance to Medibank?

Switching is simple and easy. Once you’ve decided which one of our health insurance options is right for you, call us on 1300 576 282 so we can get you started. We’ll contact your current health insurer, cancel your old membership (with your consent to do so), and organise a transfer certificate.

Q: Do I need to cancel my old health insurance before switching?

We can cancel your old health insurance when you join Medibank (as long as you give us consent to do so). You can also do it yourself – just remember to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your previous Australian health fund so that we can recognise the waiting periods you’ve already served.

Switch to Medibank in 3 simple steps

1. Find your cover

Compare heath insurance options and find cover that best suits your needs. If you need assistance, call us on 1300 576 282.

2. Let us do the paperwork

Simple and easy. We'll contact your old fund, cancel your old membership and organise the transfer certificate.

3. No waiting periods again

There’s no need to re-serve waiting periods you’ve already served with your old fund^, so you'll be able to make the most out of your new cover straight away.

Why switch to Medibank?

We are one of Australia's largest health insurance providers^*, trusted by millions of members.

As an Australian brand, we know all about supporting our customers and community – after all, we've been doing it since 1975.

And that's just the beginning.

Outstanding health insurance

4.1 million members trust us for the health services they need.

Lots of cover options

Many products and services for your health and wellbeing to choose from.

1000s of extras providers in our network

Help reduce your out of pockets with one of the largest Extras provider networks in Australia.

Awesome rewards program

Points and perks for your healthy actions.

Member health programs

Programs to help manage your health conditions and give you access to more affordable care options.

On-app claiming

Claim for many services quickly and easily with My Medibank.

Discover how we compare to other funds

Canstar Outstanding Value Health Insurance 2008 - 2024

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.

Are you ready to make the switch?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my health insurance to Medibank?

Can I switch health insurance at any time?

Yes, you can switch health insurance anytime – whether that’s at the start of the year, end of the year, mid-year, or whenever you feel it’s time.

But remember: you need to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your previous Australian health fund if you want the waiting periods you've already served on equivalent services to be recognised. Also, keep in mind that any benefits previously paid under your previous extras cover this year will be deducted from your available limits with Medibank.

When is the best time to switch health insurance?

Many people think about switching health insurance leading up to the annual premium review. However, the “best time” is really “the time that’s best for you”. As our lives change, so do our health needs, so it’s worth regularly taking the time to check whether your health insurance is meeting your needs.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking of switching health insurance:

Are you extending or starting your family?
Do you reach your annual limits ahead of time?
Do you have any specific health needs?
Are you about to turn 31?
Has your financial situation changed?
Would you like to add or remove someone from your policy?
Not quite satisfied with your cover?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, call us on 1300 576 282 so we can chat through your options.

Do I need to cancel my old health insurance before switching?

Is there a waiting period when switching health insurance?

We recognise the waiting periods you have already served with another Australian health fund, as long as you join us within 2 months of leaving that fund.

If there are waiting periods that you didn't fully serve with your previous fund, you may still need to serve these. Also keep in mind that if your new Medibank cover includes new or upgraded services or benefits, or a lower hospital excess, there will be waiting periods for these.

Unsure about your level of cover and what waiting periods you'll need to serve? Then call us on 134 190.

What if I change my mind after switching?

When you join Medibank – or any health fund – you’re entitled to a cooling-off period. This means that we give you 30 days from the date your new or changed cover begins to review your cover and make sure you’re happy with it. If you change your mind during that time and haven’t made any claims, we’ll either transfer you to a more appropriate cover from the original beginning date or cancel it altogether and refund your premiums. During the cooling off period, you generally can’t return to a cover that Medibank has closed.

Can I switch health insurance while pregnant?

Yes! Portability rules in Australia mean that you have the right to change to another hospital policy with the same insurer or another insurer. As long as your payments for your current policy are up to date, it’s a straightforward process. We recommend that you make sure your new policy includes all the pregnancy and birth services you previously had cover for so that you can look after yourself and welcome your new baby with peace of mind. To switch and chat about our cover that includes pregnancy and birth, call us on 1300 576 282.

Things you should know

^* By membership and policy numbers, based on the data set out in APRA’s Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report 2022/23 for Medibank Private Limited.

^{^} You need to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your old fund, or waiting periods apply again. Also, benefits that have been paid under your previous cover will be taken into account in determining the extras benefits payable under your Medibank cover.

€For new members on new memberships who join and start eligible combined Bronze hospital and extras cover or above and who have not held Medibank health cover in previous 60 days (unless they are dependents coming off their parent’s cover). Must set up direct debit and quote promo code ‘4WEEKSPLUS’ when joining. Excludes Hospital only cover, Extras only cover, Basic covers, Corporate covers, Accident Cover, Ambulance Cover, Overseas Visitors Health Insurance, Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC), Working Visa Health Insurance, ahm covers and other selected covers. Not available with any other offer. Medibank may end this offer or amend these offer terms and conditions at any time without notice. Medibank employees are not eligible for this offer.

4 weeks free terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible cover for 28 consecutive days from the policy start date to get next 4 weeks free. The 4 weeks free will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period.

2&6 month waits waived on extras terms: 2&6 month waiting periods on extras waived. Other waiting periods apply (including 12 months on some dental services). If you're switching from another fund and you’ve used any of your current limits (at that fund), that will count towards your annual limits with us. If you've reached your limits at your previous fund you may not be able to claim straight away on extras.

Live Better points terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible product for 28 consecutive days from the policy start date to receive Live Better points. The points will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period. Policyholder will require access to a smartphone and will need to download the My Medibank App. Policyholder will need to have registered a My Medibank account, sign up to Live Better rewards via the My Medibank App and track any Live Better rewards activity within 28 consecutive days from the policy start date. Policyholder must also maintain direct debit and continue to hold an eligible product for 28 consecutive days from the policy start date to receive the Live Better rewards points. Must be 16 years or over to register for Live Better rewards. Live Better rewards points could take up to 8 weeks from the policy start date to be loaded to the policyholder’s Live Better account. Singles and single parents will receive 25,000 Live Better rewards points, and families and couples will receive 50,000 Live Better rewards points.

Live Better Rewards terms: Must be a Medibank member with eligible hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Medibank Live Better via the My Medibank app to redeem rewards. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the redemption of a reward depending on the type of reward chosen. Read full Medibank Live Better terms here: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/rewards/terms/

Switching health insurance is simple and easy

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