Switch Health Insurance | No re-serving waiting periods

Q: How do I change my health insurance to Medibank?

Switching is simple and easy. Once you’ve decided which one of our health insurance options is right for you, call us on 1300 576 282 so we can get you started. We’ll contact your current health insurer, cancel your old membership, and organise a transfer certificate.

Q: Can I switch health insurance at any time?

Yes, you can switch health insurance anytime – whether that’s at the start of the year, end of the year, mid-year, or whenever you feel it’s time. But remember: you need to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your previous Australian health fund if you want the waiting periods you've already served recognised and waived.

Q: Do I need to cancel my old health insurance before switching?

We can cancel your old health insurance when you join Medibank. You can also do it yourself – just remember to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your previous Australian health fund so that we can recognise the waiting periods you’ve already served.

Switch to Medibank in 3 simple steps

1. Find your cover

Compare heath insurance options and find cover that best suits your needs. If you need assistance, call us on 1300 576 282.

2. Let us do the paperwork

Simple and easy. We'll contact your old fund, cancel your old membership and organise the transfer certificate.

3. No waiting periods again

There’s no need to re-serve waiting periods you’ve already served with your old fund^, so you'll be able to make the most out of your new cover straight away.

Why switch to Medibank?

We are Australia's largest health insurance provider, trusted by 4.1 million members.

Australian-owned, we know all about supporting our customers and community – after all, we've been doing it since 1975.

And that's just the beginning.

Competitive prices

Options to suit your budget.

Outstanding health insurance products

4.1 million members trust our covers for the health services they need.

Lots of cover options

Many products and services for your health and wellbeing to choose from.

1000s of no-gap providers

Get 55%-100% back thanks to one of the largest provider networks in Australia.

Discounts and rewards

Get exclusive offers, benefits and discounts just for being a Medibank member.

Member health programs

Programs to help manage your health conditions and give you access to more affordable care.

Low-hassle claims

Claim for many services quickly and easily with My Medibank.

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.

Are you ready to make the switch?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my health insurance to Medibank?

Can I switch health insurance at any time?

When is the best time to switch health insurance?

Many people think about switching health insurance leading up to the annual premium review. However, the “best time” is really “the time that’s best for you”. As our lives change, so do our health needs, so it’s worth regularly taking the time to check whether your health insurance is meeting your needs.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking of switching health insurance:

Are you extending or starting your family?
Do you reach your annual limits ahead of time?
Do you have any specific health needs?
Are you about to turn 31?
Has your financial situation changed?
Would you like to add or remove someone from your policy?
Are you satisfied your cover is right for you?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, call us on 1300 576 282 so we can chat through your options.

Do I need to cancel my old health insurance before switching?

Is there a waiting period when switching health insurance?

We recognise the waiting periods you have already served with another Australian health fund, as long as you join us within 2 months of leaving that fund.

If there are waiting periods that you didn't fully serve with your previous fund, you may still need to serve these. Also keep in mind that if your new Medibank cover includes new or upgraded services or benefits, there will be waiting periods for these.

Unsure about your level of cover and what waiting periods you'll need to serve? Then call us on 134 190.

What if I change my mind after switching?

When you join Medibank – or any health fund – you’re entitled to a cooling-off period. This means that we give you 30 days from the date your new or changed cover begins to review your cover and make sure you’re happy with it. If you change your mind during that time and haven’t made any claims, we’ll either transfer you to a more appropriate cover from the original beginning date or cancel it altogether and refund your premiums. During the cooling off period, you generally can’t return to a cover that Medibank has closed.

Can I switch health insurance while pregnant?

Yes! Portability rules in Australia mean that you have the right to change to another hospital policy with the same insurer or another insurer. As long as your payments for your current policy are up to date, it’s a straightforward process. We recommend that you make sure your new policy includes all the obstetrics services you were previously covered for so that you can look after yourself and welcome your new baby with peace of mind. To switch and chat about our pregnancy cover, call us on 1300 576 282.

Things you should know

^{^} You need to join Medibank within 2 months of leaving your old fund, or waiting periods apply again. Also, benefits that have been paid under your previous cover will be taken into account in determining the extras benefits payable under your Medibank cover.

^* Canstar, 2023, for Medibank Essential Extras 75.

^€ For new members on new memberships who join and start eligible combined Bronze hospital and extras cover or above from 1 July – 31 July 2024 and who have not held Medibank health cover in previous 60 days (unless they are dependents coming off their parent’s cover). Must quote promo code ‘6WEEKSPLUS’ and set up direct debit when joining. Excludes Basic cover, Corporate covers, Hospital only cover, Extras only cover, Accident Cover, Overseas Visitors Health Cover, Overseas Workers Health Cover, Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance Cover, ahm covers, and other selected covers. Not available to Medibank employees. Not available with any other offer. Medibank reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

6 weeks free terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible cover for 42 consecutive days from the policy start date to get next 6 weeks free. The 6 weeks free will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period.

2&6 month waits waived on extras terms: 2&6 month waiting periods on extras waived. Other waiting periods apply (including 12 months on some dental services). Annual limits apply. If you're switching from another fund and you’ve used any of your current limits (at that fund), that will count towards your annual limits with us. If you've reached your limits at your previous fund you may not be able to claim straight away on extras.

Live Better rewards points terms: Must maintain direct debit and hold eligible product for 42 consecutive days from the policy start date to receive Live Better rewards points. The points will not be issued if you change to an ineligible cover, terminate your cover or suspend your cover during this period. Policyholder will require access to a smartphone and will need to download the My Medibank app. Policyholder will need to have registered a My Medibank account, sign up to Live Better via the My Medibank app and track a Live Better activity within 42 consecutive days from the policy start date. Must be 16 years or over to register for Live Better. Live Better rewards points could take up to 10 weeks from the policy start date to be loaded to the policyholder’s Live Better account. Singles and single parents will receive 25,000 Live Better rewards points, and families and couples will receive 50,000 Live Better rewards points.

Live Better rewards terms: Must be a Medibank member with eligible hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Live Better via the My Medibank app to redeem rewards. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the redemption of a reward depending on the type of reward chosen. Read full Medibank Live Better terms here: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/rewards/terms/

Switching health insurance is simple and easy

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