Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We may be able to assist. Call us on 1800 027 299. 

RBHS only ever increase premiums in order to manage the rising cost of health care and to ensure members continue to receive value through their health cover.

The good news is that this is we are not-for-profit, which means we only charge what it costs to pay claims and run our fund.

We try to keep our costs down in other ways too, such as:

• running as efficiently as possible so we have low administration costs
• working with the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA) to have more bargaining power with hospitals and doctors
• working with industry bodies to push the Government for changes that make healthcare more affordable for everyone

There are plenty of reasons that we believe private hospital cover is important. Things like:

• knowing you can have access to private hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities
• being able to choose your doctor
• not having to spend months (even years) on a public hospital waiting list by going into a private hospital
• if you earn over the threshold for Medicare Levy Surcharge (currently $90,000 for singles and $180,000 for families), you may save tax by not having to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
• avoiding a Lifetime Health Cover loading (by having hospital cover before you turn 31)

Besides, hospital can be very expensive and that is why having health cover is valuable. The table below shows our most expensive paid on behalf of individual members in the 2022 financial year

When you think about health insurance, it is important to think about more than just the cost. Health insurance is about giving you more choice for your healthcare, less time waiting for the services you need and (most importantly) the peace of mind to know that you will be looked after when you need it most.

We only ever increase membership payments by what it costs to pay claims and keep our fund running. All health fund increases are reviewed and approved by the Government. 

If you have paid in advance, you will not have to start paying the new amount until your next payment is due. For example, if you are paid up to 4 May 2023, you will start paying the new amount from 5 May 2023.

For more information, please call us. 

Finding the right health cover can be confusing. And it can be even more so when comparing your cover with another policy.

We can help in a few different ways. Firstly, every health fund has a short summary of every product in a standard format, to help you compare them side by side. You can easily get this Private Health Information Statement (PHIS) from the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman’s website at privatehealth.gov.au.

If you would like some personalised help, we are just a phone call away. Our experts are happy to help you choose the right level of cover for you, and can help you compare your old cover so you know exactly what you’re covered for. Call us on 1800 027 299.

Simply get a quote online and submit an application.

Just give us the details when you join (in the online join or over the phone) and we will take care of it all for you.

Have a look at covers online and call one of our cover experts on 1800 027 299 and we can help you.

Enter some of your basic details here to start Online Member Services. You can find it at any time by clicking Log in.

You can find the login button at the top right of your screen.

You can change your cover any time you like, simply call us on 1800 027 299.

If you are upgrading your cover, you may have waiting periods for things you were not covered for before.

1. Set up regular direct debits

The easiest way to pay your premiums is through a regular direct debit from your account. This makes sure your account is kept up to date and you do not have to remember to make your payments because they come out of your account automatically on the day you choose.

It is easy to set up your direct debit in Online Member Services. On the Payments screen, click the ‘Change’ button. This is where you can add or update a direct debit, change your payment dates and change the payment frequency.

2. Update your payment details in the RBHS app 

Our app makes it easy to take control of your health cover. Check your cover details, view your extras limits, claim, make a payment and more. Get the app here.

3. Other payment options:

• Pay by credit card, BPay or cheque.
• Make a one-off payment:

You can also make credit card payments through Online Member Services to pay your cover’s outstanding balance or to a date in the future. Click to the Payments page, and you will also find a calculator to see what date a lump sum payment will take you up to and how much you need to prepay to reach a certain date.

Call us a on 1800 027 299 with the student number and place of study and we will update your cover for you.

You are covered on your parents’ membership until you are 18, or 25 if you are studying full time (as long as you’re not married or in a de facto relationship).

Yes. You can do it in Online Member Services. Details → People Covered → Add person

Get straight to it here. Details → People Covered → Add person

Tax statements should automatically populate with your tax agent or on the ATO's tax system. But you can also get it from your inbox in the app.

The most common forms are available on our website, click here.

You will probably be surprised to learn that, on average, couples actually claim more than families with kids. This is mostly because a high proportion of couples are older people whose healthcare costs are generally higher than younger people, and also because kids generally have lower healthcare costs and do not need to claim as much.

All health funds are covered by Government legislation that says we have to charge everyone the same amount (for the same level of cover) – regardless of their age, health status or claims history. It is called Community Rating, and we think it is pretty fair to keep health cover more affordable for most people.

We get this one a lot, but unfortunately Government says no. Private Health Insurance legislation says that health funds are not allowed to offer no-claim bonuses.

This is another thing that is controlled by Government legislation. We are only allowed to pay benefits for products and services that treat a specific medical condition. If you have a medical condition and there is something you think you might be able to claim for, contact us and we will see what we can do.