What is PackageBonus?

It’s an incentive for taking out HealthyPlus, SmartPlus, AdvantagePlus or PremierPlus (or their corporate equivalents). Each year, you receive a bonus that you can put towards a wide range of approved membership and health-related expenses.

You can use it to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for extras like dental, optical items or physio or you can use it for things like travel vaccinations and stop smoking programs. The choice is yours. The beauty of the PackageBonus is you don’t have to be sick to benefit. Plus, if used smartly, it can sometimes even cover 100% of the cost of a particular service or item. Not bad!

How does it work?

When you first take out a packaged cover with a PackageBonus, you’ll get $50 (on a single membership) or $100 (on a couple or family membership) to get you started. But you’ll have to wait 6 months before you can start spending it.

Then, on 1 January each year, you’ll automatically receive your yearly PackageBonus. If you’re on a single membership, you’ll get $100. Couple and family memberships will get $200.

So, what can I spend it on?

One of the great things about the PackageBonus is that you can choose to put it towards a wide range of approved membership and health-related expenses. Take the general health-related costs that may crop up over the course of the year. This could be things such as:

  • travel vaccinations
  • health management program costs approved by us (excludes goods purchased)
  • health-related appliances or equipment such as wheelchairs and blood pressure monitors
  • stop smoking programs
  • any out-of-pocket expenses related to the cost of non-PBS pharmaceutical prescriptions
  • a range of other health-related expenses including services, appliances and equipment approved by us.

It’s also there for membership-related expenses. You may want to put it towards:

  • your hospital excess
  • your out-of-pocket expenses you might have for approved in-hospital medical expenses or hospital charges
  • your out-of-pocket expenses for extras, such as dental.

There are a number of other expenses that are included as well. Before you incur any costs, it’s best if you call us on 132 331. This way, we can let you know if it’s something that’s approved as the rules around PackageBonus are subject to review and can change. We can also let you know the available balance on your membership.

Is there anything I can’t use my PackageBonus for?

Yes, there are some things, such as:

  • your premium
  • any contributions towards PBS prescriptions
  • out-of-hospital medical expenses covered by Medicare
  • other non-approved expenses or costs precluded by law from being paid.

What if I don’t spend it all?

It simply rolls over into the next calendar year. You can keep saving it up to a certain limit – as long as you stay on the same membership and on a cover with a PackageBonus. For single memberships, the maximum limit is $500. For couple or family memberships, the maximum limit is $1,000.

Is it easy to claim?

Yes, it’s very easy to claim using your PackageBonus. You have four choices:

1. Claim on-the-spot at participating extras providers. Make sure you have your membership card with you so you can settle your claim, including the PackageBonus portion.

2. Claim online for most extras services. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to register, then log in to Online Member Services

3. Mail it to us – you’ll need to include your receipt and a claim form, which you can pick up from one of our stores or download a claim form You can also give us a call, and we’ll pop one in the post for you. Just make sure you tick the box marked ‘I am claiming a PackageBonus’. Then send it to Medibank Private, GPO Box 9999 in your capital city.

4. Drop in to a Medibank store – again, you’ll need your receipt and a claim form, which you can get in-store. We’ll process your claim and make any payments within five working days directly into your bank account, or send you a cheque.

Anything else I need to be aware of?

There are some extra things you need to know:

  • If you’re not claiming your PackageBonus on-the-spot, you need to pay for the item or service first before you can claim the expense.
  • The account and receipt of payment need to be in the same name as the member who used the item or service.
  • You’ll also need to make the claim within two years of the date the item was purchased or from when the particular service was received. Always keep a copy of your accounts and receipts – just for your own records.
  • All members on the membership can access the total PackageBonus amount accrued on the membership.

PackageBonus - everything I need to know

If you’re expecting to use your PackageBonus for a particular item or service, it’s best to call us first on 132 331 as the rules around PackageBonus are subject to review and can change.

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132 331 within Australia
+61 3 8622 5780 outside Australia

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