How long is the waiting period on hospital?

For all new memberships and upgrades of cover (where your new cover has higher benefits, lower excess or more services), including transfers from another fund, the following waiting periods apply:

• two months for all hospital services* and home care programs unless specified otherwise

• twelve months for pre-existing ailments or conditions (excluding palliative care, hospital psychiatric services and rehabilitation) and pregnancy and birth, and prostheses

If you have transferred from another health fund on a comparable level of cover and have served waiting periods you will be able to claim straight away. There are no waiting periods for accidents that occur after you join Union Health. 

See your product guide for details on services available on your level of cover.

*Refer to Lifetime mental health waiting period waiver for details on circumstances where the waiting period for hospital psychiatric services may not apply.