About waiting periods

That depends on the types of services or items included on your cover.

2 months*	All included services - except those set out below
6 months	Optical Appliances Ultra bonus for out of pocket expenses
12 months	Pre-existing conditions. However, the 12 month pre-existing condition waiting period does not apply to hospital or hospital substitute treatment for psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation treatment or palliative care Obstetrics-related services Dental Treatment and Major dental services including surgical extractions Orthodontic treatment CPAP type devices Breathing appliances
24 months	Blood glucose monitors
36 months	Hearing aids Laser eye surgery

* If you have an accident after joining us or changing cover and require treatment, we'll waive the 2 month waiting period.

How do I know if a waiting period applies to me?

Waiting periods will apply if you're a new member, you're rejoining Medibank after not having health cover for some time or you're changing to a higher level of cover (either within Medibank or transferring from another registered Australian health fund). If you're changing to a higher level of cover, you'll still be entitled to benefits at the level of your former cover while you're serving any waiting periods on your new cover if:

those services were included under your old cover; and
you've already served the waiting periods that applied under your old cover.

Waiting periods may apply to some of our betterhealth programs.

What is a waiting period?

All health funds have waiting periods. In short, a waiting period is a period of time you need to wait after taking out your cover before you can receive benefits for services or items covered.

You’re not able to receive benefits for any items or services you might have obtained while you’re serving a waiting period or before you joined Medibank.

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