At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Our Better Living Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Better Living Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
Waiting periods
Do waiting periods apply to your level of cover?
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Waiting periods apply if you’re new to private health insurance. They also apply if you belong to CBHS - or another fund – and upgrade to a higher level of cover.
If you transfer from another fund, any waiting period you’ve partially served can be completed in your new fund. If you upgrade your level of cover, waiting periods may apply to benefits that weren't included in your original cover.
This CBHS article has a whole range of information and FAQs about waiting periods and why the Australian Government says we have to have them for Hospital cover. Funds can set their own waiting periods on Extras cover.
Hospital waiting periods
Waiting periods apply to all levels of Hospital cover and package cover.
| Description | Period |
| Pre-existing conditions* (except for hospital psychiatric services, rehabilitation and palliative care) | 12 months |
| Pregnancy and birth | 12 months |
| Hospital psychiatric services**, rehabilitation and palliative care | 2 months |
| Accidents*** and emergency ambulance transport | 1 day |
| All other treatments | 2 months |
All waiting periods displayed are in calendar months.
Extras waiting periods
Waiting periods apply to all levels of Extras cover and package cover.
| Description | Period |
| Crowns, bridges and orthodontia | 12 months |
| Artificial aids, healthcare appliances, oxygen and oxygen apparatus | 12 months |
| Prescribed optical appliances | 6 months |
| Periodontics, endodontics, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, occlusal therapy, implants and dentures | 6 months |
| All other services | 2 months |
For more information on waiting periods, please refer to the Health Benefit Fund Rules
* If you have 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.
** After the two-month waiting period, you can choose to upgrade your cover (once in a lifetime) and access the higher benefits for hospital psychiatric treatment associated with that cover, without serving an additional waiting period. For more details contact us on 1300 654 123 or email help@cbhs.com.au.
*** Accident means an unexpected or unforeseen event caused by an external force or object resulting in an injury to the body which requires treatment by a medical practitioner, hospital or dentist (as the context requires) but excludes pregnancy.
A pre-existing condition is an ailment or illness for which the signs or symptoms were evident up to six months before you become insured by a policy. A CBHS-appointed doctor determines whether the signs or symptoms were in existence – that doctor, however, will have regard to any information provided by your own doctor.
You must also wait 12 months to be covered for pre-existing conditions when you upgrade your cover.