If you do not have hospital cover with an Australian registered health fund on your Lifetime Health Cover base day and then decide to take out hospital cover later in life, you will pay a 2% loading on top of your premium for every year you are aged over 30.

In most cases, your Lifetime Health Cover base day is the later of 1 July 2000 or the 1st of July following your 31st birthday.

For example, if you take out hospital cover at age 40 you will pay 20% more than someone who first took out hospital cover at age 30. The maximum loading is 70%.


New migrants to Australia

If you are a new migrant to Australia, then you have until the later of 1 July following your 31st birthday or the first anniversary of your full Medicare registration to take out private hospital cover without incurring a Lifetime Health Cover loading.

If the latter applies to you, your Lifetime Health Cover base day is the 12 month anniversary of your registration for full Medicare benefits (i.e. when you are eligible for a blue or green Medicare card).

However if you are subsequently overseas on your Lifetime Health Cover base day and if you registered with Medicare on or after 1 July 2009, then you will not have to pay a Lifetime Health Cover loading if you purchase hospital cover within 12 months of your return to Australia. The anniversary of your return to Australia becomes your new Lifetime Health Cover base day.

If you miss your Lifetime Health Cover base day, you will have to pay 2% more for each year you are aged over 30 when you take out private health insurance.