Benefit Changes 2024

Your cover from 1 January

You can now claim for Mental Health Programs, whether they are online or in-person, as long as the program is not Medicare claimable. You will need a Health Management Declaration Claim Form to accompany your claim.

What this means for you

Mental health programs play a crucial role in supporting overall wellbeing. That’s why we’ve improved your existing benefit to include online or face-to-face Mental Health Programs. You can make a claim as long as you’re referred by a Medicare Registered Practitioner this includes your GP, psychologist or mental health nurse. You can find a copy of the Health Management Declaration Claim form on our website. There’s no change to your existing limits.

Your cover from 1 January 

Counselling services provided by Medicare accredited Mental Health Nurses are now claimable.

What this means for you

To improve access to personalised treatment for mental health conditions for our members, we’ve expanded our existing benefit for Clinical Psychology & Counselling to incorporate Counselling services offered by a Mental Health Nurse. Accredited Mental Health Nurses have a breadth of experience in treating mental health conditions and offer additional options for members looking for personalised mental health support. There’s no change to your existing item benefits or annual group limits.

Your cover from 1 January

You can now claim for Psychometric/Learning Assessments when completed by a clinical psychologist, up to your applicable annual group limit.

• Mid Extras and Essential Pro Extras - $100 
• Overseas Top Plus Hospital with Extras, Overseas Top Hospital with Extras, High Extras, High Extras Over 50s, Ultimate Extras, Gold 500, Gold, Gold Classic 500, Gold Classic - $200
• Ultimate Pro Extras - $250

What this means for you 

You can now claim on a wider range of services completed by a psychologist. These assessments can play an important role in early detection and early intervention, opening up a wider range of treatment options. There’s no change to your existing annual group limit. 

Your cover from 1 January 

We’ve increased our range of claimable Eye Health Tests under the Ear and Eye Health Checks benefit. In addition to tests that we have previously accepted, here are some examples of new tests you can now claim on:

• Visual Field Test
• GDx Scan
• Dilation Test

What this means for you

Prevention and early detection improves health outcomes. That’s why we’re providing our members with greater access to preventive eye health services. The Eye Health Test will still need to be completed by a recognised provider and cannot be claimable from Medicare. There’s no change to your existing limits or benefit amounts.

Your cover from 1 January

A dental comprehensive oral examination is now claimable once per member, per provider, per calendar year.

What this means for you

If you’ve already had a dental comprehensive oral examination (item number 011) within the calendar year, you are now able to claim again if you visit a different provider. This means that you can now claim a benefit for additional dental services, as long as you haven’t reached your annual limit. There’s no change to your dental limits or benefit amounts.

Your cover from 1 January

You no longer need to provide us with your orthodontic treatment plan. Under your Orthodontic benefit, we will continue to pay benefits as per the existing terms and conditions. If the benefit amount is still accruing when you start your treatment, you may be asked to provide additional documentation for confirmation.

What this means for you  

Orthodontic treatments can be stressful enough without having to navigate through complicated processes. That’s why we’ve simplified the claiming process for members.

Your cover from 1 January

Your benefit has increased per subsequent service for Speech Therapy, up to your applicable annual group limit. There is no change to the item benefit for initial or group services.

• Gold, Gold 500, Gold Classic, Gold Classic 500, High Extras, Overseas Top Hospital with Extras- $48
• Ultimate Extras, Overseas Top Plus Hospital with Extras - $60
• Ultimate Pro Extras - $80

What this means for you

You now get more back per service for your Speech Therapy consultations helping to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. There’s no change to your existing annual group limit.

Your cover from 1 January 

We now accept a letter from a medical practitioner for contraceptives, anabolic steroids or cosmetic injections. The letter will still need to detail that the pharmaceutical is treating a specific health condition.

What this means for you 

We understand that it’s not always possible to see the same doctor every time you need a repeat prescription. That’s why we’ve simplified the process. We now accept a letter detailing the pharmaceutical is treating a specific health condition from any medical practitioner. 

It's important to note that you only need to provide this letter once for the same pharmaceutical.

Your cover from 1 January

Compression devices are now claimable under your Compression Garments benefit, up to your existing annual group limit.

What this means for you 

Compression devices can help with managing health issues and improving quality of life. That’s why we’ve added compression devices to your cover. There’s no change to your existing annual group limit.

Your cover from 1 January 

You can now claim on a Chronic Disease Health Screen completed by a medical practitioner or pharmacist that is not Medicare claimable. This is available under your existing Preventative Health Tests benefit. No benefits are payable if a Chronic Disease Health Screen is primarily for employment-related medical evaluations.

What this means for you 

You will now receive a benefit for a Chronic Disease Health Screen. These screens can help detect potential health issues before they become a problem. Early detection often means a better prognosis and may give you more treatment options. There’s no change to your existing annual group limit.

Your cover from 1 January 

We’ve increased your benefit to $200 per policy, per calendar year.

What this means for you

Antenatal and postnatal services play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of mothers and their newborns. This increase means families can get more value for both face-to-face and online services

Your cover from 1 January

You can now claim a benefit for Myasthenia Gravis Association fees (includes state-based subsidiaries) under your Chronic Disease Association Fees benefit.

What this means for you

This improvement is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance the wellbeing of our members across a broad range of conditions. There’s no change to your existing annual group limit.

Your cover from 1 January

You’re now able to claim your benefit using your physical or digital membership card whilst seeing an eligible provider.

What this means for you 

Your benefit can now be paid while you’re at the provider, meaning an easier and more convenient claiming experience. You can still submit your claim via the Westfund App, Members Online or in person at a Care Centre if your provider doesn’t offer electronic claiming.