What is LHC?
The Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is an Australian Government initiative. It’s been designed to encourage more people to take out hospital cover sooner rather than later and help ease the reliance on the public system.
How does it work?
If you don’t have hospital cover by 1 July following your 31st birthday and choose to take it out later in life, a loading of 2% will be added to your hospital cover premium for each year you were aged over 30 without it.
Does the LHC apply to my extras?
No, it doesn’t. If you choose a combined hospital and extras product the LHC loading will only be applied to the hospital cover portion of your policy.
We've done the calculations for you
Check out the table below to see what your LHC loading might be if you take out hospital cover after 1 July following your 31st birthday. As you can see, the longer you wait to take out hospital cover, the more the premium will increase. The maximum LHC loading is 70%.
| Age | % LHC Loading | How much extra you could pay per year* |
|---|---|---|
| 31 years old** | 2% | $20 |
| 32 years old | 4% | $40 |
| 33 years old | 6% | $60 |
| 34 years old | 8% | $80 |
| 35 years old | 10% | $100 |
| 36 years old | 12% | $120 |
| 37 years old | 14% | $140 |
| 38 years old | 16% | $160 |
| 39 years old | 18% | $180 |
| 40 years old | 20% | $200 |
* An example premium based on hospital cover that costs around $1,000 per year.
** After 1 July following your 31st birthday.
Does the LHC apply to everyone?
Some people may be exempt from the LHC loading including new migrants who have been registered for full Medicare benefits for less than 12 months, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders and members of the Australian Defence Force. People born on or before 1 July 1934 also don't have to pay a LHC loading.
To find out more about who is exempt you can visit the the government's private health website.
If you think you might qualify for an LHC exemption, you can apply using the LHC exemption form.
How to make the most of your cover
With hospital cover, benefits can be paid towards included services when you or a family member are admitted to hospital and treated as a private patient. If you're a private patient at a private hospital, you may also have more choice as to when you're admitted to hospital (depending on availability), giving you more time to focus on your and your family's health.
All of our hospital covers also include:
Unlimited Emergency Ambulance
No matter which hospital or extras policy you choose, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your cover includes unlimited emergency ambulance.¹
Accident Cover Boost
Medibank members with hospital cover are eligible for benefits of gold level cover if they have an Accident in Australia after joining, thanks to our Accidental Injury Benefit.²
24/7 Nurse and Mental Health Phone Support
Eligible members with hospital cover can talk to a qualified nurse or mental health professional over the phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no extra cost.³
One of the largest health provider networks in Australia
We’ll help you make the most of your cover, with access to more than 470 Members’ Choice hospitals and nearly 3,800 Members’ Choice extras provider practices.
Awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance 16 years running
We’re proud to deliver outstanding value health insurance products designed to suit your needs. But don’t just take our word for it.
Explore our hospital covers
*Prices below are based on
This is used to calculate any Australian Government Rebate (AGR) you may be entitled to.If you’re unsure how to calculate your income, this ATO calculator can help.
We can help - Leave your details and a Medibank expert will contact you to help you find the right cover. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.
The amount you pay before Medibank contributes to your hospital costs.
Still have questions?
If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, one of our staff members will happily get in contact and talk you through any questions you have.
Things you should know
¹ Waiting periods apply. For ambulance attendance or transportation to a hospital where immediate medical attention is required and your condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way. Tas and Qld have State schemes that provide ambulance servies for residents of those States.
² For Accidents that occur in Australia after your cover starts. Must seek medical treatment within 7 days, and receive hospital treatment within 12 months, of the Accident occurring. Excludes claims covered by third parties and our Private Room Promise. Out-of-pocket expenses may apply.
³ 24/7 Medibank Nurse and Mental Health phone support is available to all eligible Medibank members who hold hospital cover. OSHC members should call the Student Health & Support Line on 1800 887 283.
⁴ Must be 18 years or over and have a valid Australian residential address to register for Medibank Live Better. Must be a Medibank member with hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Medibank Live Better with ‘My Medibank’ or have linked their My Medibank account with their Live Better account to redeem rewards. Excludes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance only cover, ahm covers and other selected covers. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the redemption of a reward depending on the type of reward chosen. See full Medibank Live Better terms.