No, premium increases will be postponed automatically to all policies so there is nothing you need to do.

We are very mindful that the current situation with COVID-19 may place some customers under financial pressure, which is why we're introducing an intial support package.

Regardless of your level of existing hospital cover, Medibank will pay benefits towards chest, heart, lung and kidney hospital admissions, including those related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) until the crisis passes.

We have also introduced a financial hardship policy, which includes suspension to customers’ policies.

We would encourage people who are suffering financial hardship to contact us so we can review your cover options.

Regardless of your level of existing hospital cover, Medibank will pay benefits towards chest, heart, lung and kidney hospital admissions, including those related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) until the crisis passes (standard waiting periods apply. This includes customers with Basic and Bronze levels of cover where currently excluded. If you are admitted to a public hospital and treated as a public patient, your treatment is fully covered by Medicare and you don’t have to use your private health insurance. In fact, you may end up paying extra if you do use your private cover (for instance, if your policy includes an excess).

Please check with your hospital. If you’re 75 or older (with eligible hospital cover), our Hospital Assist service will support you, before and after your booked treatment.

During this time, it’s more important than ever that you feel supported in any decisions involving your health. So please don’t hesitate to call us on 1800 789 414. 

Put simply, good hygiene and social distancing.

Good hygiene

Practising good hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect against infection and prevent the spread of coronavirus.  All of us have a role to play in maintaining high standards to protect our own health and the health of each other.  These measures include:

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

• disposing of tissues properly

• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet

• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers

• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Social distancing

Another way to protect the community is social distancing, which is essentially reducing the contact you have with other people.  It includes:

• staying at home if you are unwell, and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell

• avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential

• keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible

• minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions 

Self-isolation

If you returned to Australia from overseas from midnight 15 March 2020, or have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, you will be required to self-isolate.  The Australian Government has prepared some information around what this means and the advice you should follow.

As of midnight, on Wednesday 25 March 2020, all non-urgent elective surgeries in Public Hospitals are suspended, with Private Hospitals doing the same on 1 April 2020.  

Announced by the Prime Minister, this decision will ensure that all health services can focus their efforts and resources on assisting communities for any incoming coronavirus cases.    

Please note, emergency surgeries WILL NOT be affected by this announcement.  

You will likely hear from your specialist regarding these changes. However, if you have surgery booked this week, or any other concerns, we recommend calling your specialist or admitting hospital as soon as possible to see how this may affect you.  

During this time, it’s vital that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the support they may need. If you have eligible hospital cover and going to hospital, or have been in hospital, our Hospital Assist service is here for you. If you have any concerns about your hospital stay, please don’t wait, you can call us on 1800 789 414. 

Understandably, these are stressful and uncertain times. Even if you don't feel ill, you may still find it difficult to cope with things like social distancing and any potential financial pressures. 

You may find it worthwhile to visit Beyond Blue for some very helpful information to help look after your mental health.

To protect our people, customers and community from Coronavirus, our stores will be closing from close of business Tuesday, 31 March 2020, until further notice.  

Rest assured, we’re not reducing our levels of service, as our store staff will now join the phone & webchat teams to continue supporting you, until it’s safe to re-open stores.  

To ensure we can help you effectively, we’re encouraging all our members to: 

• claim online via My Medibank or the My Medibank app where possible  
• switch your communication preferences to electronic, rather than mail, so we can get in touch with you quickly  
  
• update your payment preferences with your bank account details, rather than cheque, so you can claim faster 
  
• change your payment preferences to direct debit, rather than cheque, for speedier transactions