Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
If you live with endometriosis, take these food tips from accredited practising dietitian Christie Lee Austin-Hore to help ease symptoms and inflammation caused by this condition.
Our COACH program supports members with heart-related conditions or diabetes, and it helped Joseph make a life-changing positive step to an improved health and wellbeing journey.
HCF dental hygienist Jasmina goes above and beyond to ensure kids visiting our dental centres have a successful experience.
At the recent Customer Service Institute of Australia’s 2023 Australian Service Excellence Awards, we were awarded ‘Customer Service Organisation of the Year (Large)’ for the second year running, as well as Service Champion for 'Service Excellence in a Large Contact Centre'. The annual awards event, hosted by the Customer Service Institute of Australia (CSIA), is Australia’s premier customer service awards event with attendees coming together each year to recognise best practice, performance and innovation in customer service. HCF CEO Sheena Jack was delighted with the win: “Our singular member focus is embodied in the leadership and commitment of our Member Service teams and the Uncommon Care promise we make to our members. We’re again delighted to be recognised by the CSIA and these awards are further testament to our unwavering focus on providing outstanding service and support for our members. “We have a strong track record of challenging ourselves to do our best by our members and our people, and to deliver a level of care and support that sets us apart. This is evidenced by HCF remaining number 1 in Member Satisfaction of the major health funds and growing more than any other fund over the past 5 years. “Our strong performance at this year’s awards reinforces our reputation for putting our money where our members are and positions us as an undisputed customer service leader.”
We’re continually innovating to improve our members’ experience. That’s why we’re proud to be the first private health fund in Australia that uses both QR codes and tap-and-go so you can claim on the spot at selected extras providers. The QR code claiming solution is a joint initiative developed between HCF and HICAPS, Australia’s foremost healthcare claiming solution. HCF CEO Sheena Jack said, “We’re proud to partner with HICAPS on this innovative feature to further streamline the claims and payments experience, which has long been a pain point for our members and providers.” Building on HCF’s rich history of pioneering innovation in the healthcare sector, Ms Jack added, “Our new QR code on the spot claiming functionality represents a first to disrupt and better the healthcare payment system for our members and essentially, for all Australians.” From today, HCF members are encouraged to use the QR code on their digital card in the HCF app when claiming at HICAPS Trinity payment terminals. It’s designed to provide a quick, easy and convenient alternative to using physical membership cards, revolutionising the way healthcare claims are processed.
At HCF, our focus is where it should be – on providing great value health insurance, not profits for shareholders. We want to help our members get the most from their cover and live their healthiest life. That's why we're pleased to announce we’ve been highly successful at the Canstar 2023 Health Insurance Awards, winning 11 awards, more than triple any other fund, including the highly coveted national Outstanding Value Award for Health Insurance for the 8th year in a row (2016-2023). HCF CEO Sheena Jack said, “HCF’s dominance across this year’s award categories underscores our resolve to continue delivering great value and quality cover to support our members, while keeping downward pressure on premium costs amid rising living expenses. “In a competitive market, we remain steadfast in our commitment to minimising out-of-pocket costs while offering members better coordinated care and choice through a wide range of quality, flexible treatment options.” “As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, we’re the original for-purpose organisation, focused on making a positive impact for our members and the broader community for 91 years. These awards represent our singular focus on delivering value for those we serve through our products, services and advocacy efforts”. The annual Canstar Health Insurance Awards is considered the gold standard in the health insurance industry, showcasing excellence in value, coverage, and customer satisfaction.
Today the HCF Research Foundation, Australia’s leading non-Government funder of health services research, announced the findings of a ground-breaking study calling for the Australian adoption of rapid recovery joint replacement surgery programs proven internationally. The first of its kind in Australia, the study has been funded by HCF’s Research Foundation and led by Professor Ackerman and a multidisciplinary team at Monash University. Presented by Prof Ackerman at the Short Stay Hospitals Forum 2023, the study highlights the benefits of short-stay joint replacement care, revolutionising Australia’s healthcare system by saving up to $641 million over the next seven years with potential savings of up to $1,400 per joint replacement procedure by 2030, reducing the burden of overcrowded wait lists for Australia’s ageing population. HCF Chief Officer of Member Health, Julie Andrews, said the innovative study evidences the clear need for safe and efficient alternate models of care to ensure the long-term sustainability of the healthcare sector in Australia. “This study provides compelling proof short-stay joint replacement programs are not only clinically safe but support efficient use of scarce health resources and have the potential to realise significant savings for the healthcare system,” Ms Andrews said. Implementing short-stay joint replacement programs nationally would provide people with greater access to affordable, convenient care options while reducing unnecessary.
We recently had the privilege of hosting our Women in Leadership event, organised by HCF's Gender Equality Matters (GEM) employee reference group. We had an outstanding turnout, bringing together over 80 women and men from all areas of HCF to connect, network and learn from remarkable women leaders who have left their mark in their respective fields and communities. Our special guest speaker, Lisa Annese, CEO of Diversity Council Australia Ltd (DCA), delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation. She shed light on the experiences and challenges faced by culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women in leadership positions. The term 'CARM women' includes cisgender, transgender, non-binary and gender diverse women who are not white. We're grateful for this opportunity to learn from Lisa and reflect on how we can continue promoting gender equality and inclusivity within HCF, as well as support current and emerging women people leaders.
We're returning another $40 million in COVID-19 savings back to our members, bringing this year’s total cash giveback to $176 million. Since the start of the pandemic, we've provided over $536 million in total support and benefits to our members. “We recognise the current pressures on household budgets being faced by our members and have kept our promise to continue passing on any COVID-19 savings,” said Sheena Jack, HCF CEO.
With 1 in 2 Aussies struggling with their mental health during their lifetime*, we know how important it is to access mental health support when and where you need it. That’s why we’ve increased our cover for mental health services on selected extras. Members with eligible extras cover can now claim consultations with: • a psychologist (if you don’t have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan or you’ve used it up) • an HCF-approved counsellor • an accredited mental health social worker. We’ll also cover the cost of eligible online cognitive behavioural therapy courses, up to your annual limit. It’s just another way we provide a level of care that’s uncommon.
