Can I suspend my cover?
Overseas travel
If you are travelling overseas and have been a financial member of Union Health for at least twelve months, you may suspend your membership for a minimum period of two calendar months to a maximum period of three years. Premiums must be paid up to the date after you depart Australia, i.e. your suspension date plus one day. Two suspensions are allowed per calendar year. The second suspension can commence after you have resumed the policy for a period equal to the length of your previous absence or nine months, whichever is shorter. No claims can be made while your membership is suspended.
Travel information to verify departure and return dates will be required at the time of application for suspension, unless you have a one-way ticket, in which case verification of return date will be required on resumption.
Please refer to the conditions that apply to suspension of membership, which are listed on the Membership Suspension Request form.
The remainder of any waiting periods not completed prior to departure will continue when the membership is resumed.
Financial hardship
If you are experiencing financial hardship and have been a financial member of Union Health for at least six months, we may allow you to suspend your membership for a minimum period of one month to a maximum period of twelve months.
We'll consider your request to suspend your cover if you experience:
- loss of employment
- significant decline in retirement income due to extrordinary circumstances
- significant extraordinary events like natural disasters
Multiple suspensions are allowed, however, twelve months must be served between consecutive suspensions. No claims can be made while your membership is suspended or for treatment that occurred while your membership was suspended.
Download the Membership Suspension Request form.
