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April 2005 changes to the Federal Government Rebate

A Federal Government legislation introduced in April 2005 resulted in an increase in the Private Health Insurance Rebate from 30% to 35% for Australians aged from 65 up to and including 69 years, and from 30% to 40% for Australians 70 years and over.

Effective from 1 April 2005, the increased rebate will apply to any applicant or person covered by your policy who is already 65 years or older at 1 April 2005, or from the date any person covered by your policy turns 65 years old after 1 April 2005.

Rebate Change FAQs

Who is eligible for the Federal Government Rebate?

The Government Rebate is available to anyone who is eligible for full Medicare benefits and has private health insurance, no matter what the level or type of cover. It is not means tested. The rebate makes quality health care more affordable and accessible to all Australians. However, the Rebate is not available for Overseas Visitors Cover.

What rebate am I entitled to?

I currently receive the 30% Government Rebate and am eligible for an increased amount due to my age, what do I need to do to receive the increased rebate?

Nothing, HBA will automatically adjust your premium to incorporate the increased rebate amount.

How can I claim the Rebate?

There are three ways to claim the Rebate:

  1. As a reduction on your premium paid to HBA (requires a completed Government Rebate Application form)
  2. As a refund from a Medicare office (on presentation of a HBA contribution receipt)
  3. As a rebate through your annual tax return

What is the Savings Provision Entitlement?

The Government has created a new Savings Provision Entitlement for people remaining on a policy that has been eligible for the 35% or 40% Rebate. The Entitlement ensures that those people remaining on the policy do not have their rebate amount reduced to 30% when the person aged 65 years or over leaves or cancels the policy.

The Savings Provision Entitlement only applies when the person over 65 years leaves or cancels the policy after 1 April 2005.

Who is entitled to the Savings Provision Entitlement?

When a person 65 years or over leaves a policy, the people remaining on the policy – as long as they are aged 18 years or over and not full-time students at the time the entitling member leaves the policy – are entitled to receive the 35% or 40% Government Rebate, until they add a new person to their policy. When they add a new person, the Rebate entitlement is recalculated based on the age of the oldest person on the policy.

Who is not entitled to the Savings Provision Entitlement?

Any person aged under 18 or anyone who is a full-time student under the age of 25 at the time the entitling member leaves the membership.

When will I not be able to retain the age-based 35% or 40% Rebate?

Anyone under 65 years old, who leaves a policy before the policy member who is 65 years or over, will have their rebate revert back to 30%, unless they add a person 65 years or over to their new policy.

Can I retain the increased Rebate if I transfer to another level of cover or another fund?

You will retain the increased rebate if you are 65 years or over, have transferred with a policy member who is 65 years or over, or have received a Savings Provision Entitlement.

To retain the increased Government Rebate via a Savings Provision Entitlement when transferring to another fund, you must request a Clearance Certificate from your departing fund to provide to your new fund.

For more information about the Federal Government Rebate or the Savings Provision Entitlement please call us on 131 243 or visit the Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au.