Waiting periods apply to those who are new to private health insurance or those who are already members of CBHS Corporate Health – or another fund – and choose to upgrade to a higher level of cover. Parts of waiting periods served within one health fund can be completed in another when a person transfers funds. If you upgrade your level of cover, waiting periods may apply to benefits not previously included within your original cover.

Hospital waiting periods

Waiting periods apply to all levels of Hospital Cover and are listed in the table below.

All waiting periods displayed are in calendar months.

^* If a member has a pre-existing condition, a waiting period of 12 months will apply before we will pay hospital or medical benefits towards any treatment for that condition.

^** Note that upon serving the two month waiting period, members can choose to upgrade their cover (once in a lifetime) and access the higher benefits for hospital psychiatric treatment associated with that cover, without serving an additional waiting period.

^*** Accidents mean injuries inflicted as a result of unintentional, unexpected actions or events that require treatment by a registered practitioner, but excludes pregnancy.

^{^} Other treatments include psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care as an admitted patient in hospital

A pre-existing condition means an ailment or illness, the signs or symptoms of which, in the opinion of the Medical Adviser, or other relevant health care practitioner appointed by CBHS Corporate Health to give advice on such matters, having regard to any information furnished by the Member's Health Care Provider providing the treatment and any other relevant information furnished in respect of the claim for Benefit, existed at any time in the period of six months ending on the day on which the person because insured under the policy and the commencement of contributions for the benefit.

Members must also wait 12 months to be covered for pre-existing conditions where they upgrade their cover.