A waiting period is the length of time you must wait before you become eligible for benefits. Waiting periods apply to new members and to members re-joining after a lapse in cover. Waiting periods may also apply to additional benefits if you upgrade your level of cover.
The following waiting periods apply to Hospital cover:
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Pre-existing condition* (other than psychiatric treatment^, rehabilitation and palliative care): 12 months.
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Obstetric related conditions (including private post-natal care services+): 12 months
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All other services (including hospital psychiatric services^, rehabilitation and palliative care: 2 months
*For more information on waiting periods and pre-existing conditions, refer to the membership conditions.
^Insured people with limited or restricted cover for hospital psychiatric services may upgrade to a higher level of cover without serving a waiting period to access hospital psychiatric services once per lifetime. The waiting period exemption applies for each person covered on the policy. A two-month waiting period applies to hospital psychiatric services for people new to private health insurance.
+ The Private post-natal service is available to St.LukesHealth members in Northern Tasmania where there is no access to a private hospital post-natal service. Members who reside Interstate or in Southern on North-West Tasmania are not eligible for this service as post-natal services are provided by private hospitals in these regions, unless they deliver at the Launceston General Hospital.
The following waiting periods apply to Extras cover:
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Health management programs: 3 months
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Optical: 6 months
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Major dental (including periodontics, endodontics, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures and orthodontics): 12 months
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Orthotic appliance and other health appliances and aids: 12 months
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Clinical psychology: 12 months
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Hearing aids: 36 months
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All other services: 2 months
If you have served all your waiting periods with another fund, you can transfer to equivalent or lower cover with St.LukesHealth without having to reserve those waiting periods on benefits common to both funds, providing you transfer within two months of ceasing to be covered by your previous fund. If you transfer to a higher level of cover, some waiting periods may apply for the higher benefits.
