Question 1

Does Westfund offer any services to support my mental health?

Accepted Answer

Looking after our mental health is just as important as our physical health, however all too often we don’t give our mental health the care it needs. Fortunately, there has been an active shift to give mental health the attention it deserves. So, how can we help? Depending on the level and type of your cover, we have a range of services to support your mental health, including:

Comprehensive Mental Health Support: 8 week or 16 weeks program delivered by mental health professionals. Eligibility criteria apply.
Benefits for Clinical Psychology and group therapy on eligible Extras policies.
Psychometric/learning assessments: If your cover includes Clinical Psychology, you may be able to claim a benefit for assessments such as cognitive tests, which looks at thinking, memory and reasoning skills and an academic skills test.
Accredited counsellors and social workers: You can see access additional mental wellbeing support when needed, under the same limits as your Clinical Psychology benefit.
Unrestricted cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services on our Gold-tier Hospital policies.
Our Health Co-Op offers a range of mental health programs designed to support you. Depending on your level of cover, you may be eligible for discounts, benefits, or access to programs at no extra cost.

The best way to view your benefit limits is by checking your Policy Summary on the Westfund app or via Members Online.

Question 2

Am I covered for anything under my Extras?

Accepted Answer

Eligible Extras cover includes a benefit for Clinical Psychology – this includes individual and group sessions as well as tele-consultations. We pay a benefit per session, up to an annual limit. Benefit limits vary depending on your level of cover – check your Policy Summary on the Westfund app or via Members Online to see what amount you can claim.

Psychometric/learning assessments: If your cover includes Clinical Psychology, you may be able to claim a benefit for assessments such as cognitive tests, which looks at thinking, memory and reasoning skills and an academic skills test.
Accredited counsellors and social workers: You can see access additional mental wellbeing support when needed, under the same limits as your Clinical Psychology benefit.
Our Health Co-Op offers a range of mental health programs designed to support you. Depending on your level of cover, you may be eligible for discounts, benefits, or access to programs at no extra cost.

Benefits for Clinical Psychology have a two month waiting period and must be provided by a recognised provider, such as a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.

Please check our provider recognition criteria to make sure you are seeing a recognised provider.

Question 3

What policy do I need to be covered for in-patient psychiatric services in a hospital?

Accepted Answer

Our Gold-tier Hospital policies offer unrestricted cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services. If you have Gold-tier Hospital cover, we’ll cover you as a private patient for the cost of accommodation and a portion of the medical fees. There may still be some out-of-pocket costs and we encourage you to contact us to discuss how we can best support your treatment.

Cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services is a restricted service on our Basic-tier, Bronze-tier and Silver-tier hospital policies. Restricted services are covered only to a limited extent and large out-of-pocket expenses will apply.

If you need to access these services and you need to upgrade your level of cover to do so, you may be eligible for the mental health waiver, allowing you to upgrade without needing to serve the two-month waiting period.

Question 4

What is a mental health waiver?

Accepted Answer

The mental health waiver means you can access the treatment you need, when you need it, without having to wait.

A member who has held a policy with Hospital cover for at least two months and upgrades to a policy which includes Hospital Psychiatric Services can waive the 2 month Waiting Period that applies to this treatment. This waiver can only be accessed once in a member's lifetime.

Question 5

Am I eligible for the mental health waiver?

Accepted Answer

To be able to access the one-off exemption, members need to meet the following criteria:

Must be admitted under the care or by referral from a consultant Psychiatrist or Addiction Specialist.
Must currently have hospital cover and held the cover for a minimum of two months.
Not have previously used the mental health exemption with Westfund or any previous health fund (lifetime limit per person).
Westfund must be advised within five business days of the admission date.

As always, we recommend contacting us to discuss any future admissions.

Question 6

What is Hospital Psychiatric Services

Accepted Answer

Hospital Psychiatric Services is a clinical category and refers to hospital treatment for the treatment and care of patients with psychiatric, mental, addiction or behavioural disorders. For example: psychoses such as schizophrenia, mood disorders such as depression, eating disorders and addiction therapy.

Question 7

What is the waiting period for Hospital Psychiatric Services?

Accepted Answer

The waiting period for Hospital Psychiatric Services is two months.

This means that if you don’t use the mental health waiver or have already used it once, you'll need to wait two months to be covered for Hospital Psychiatric Services.

Question 8

Can I claim through Westfund if I'm on a Medicare mental health plan?

Accepted Answer

A Medicare mental health plan is a treatment plan for a mental health condition. By working with your GP to create the plan, you can get the appropriate support and treatment you need by accessing mental health professionals like psychologists.

If you have a Medicare mental health plan, you claim up to 20 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year – however if your clinician charges above the Medicare rebate amount, you may need to pay a gap payment.

We’re unable to pay any additional benefits towards sessions claimed as part of a Medicare mental health plan.

Question 9

What policy do I need to be covered for in-patient psychiatric services in a hospital?

Accepted Answer

Our Gold-tier Hospital policies offer unrestricted cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services. If you have Gold-tier Hospital cover, we’ll cover you as a private patient for the cost of accommodation and a portion of the medical fees. There may still be some out-of-pocket costs and we encourage you to contact us to discuss how we can best support your treatment.

Cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services is a restricted service on our Basic-tier, Bronze-tier and Silver-tier hospital policies. Restricted services are covered only to a limited extent and large out-of-pocket expenses will apply.

If you need to access these services and you need to upgrade your level of cover to do so, you may be eligible for the mental health waiver, allowing you to upgrade without needing to serve the two-month waiting period.

Question 10

Mobile Skin Clinic

Accepted Answer

How do I book a skin check at the Mobile Skin Check Clinic?

Booking a skin check is simple! If you're a Westfund member in one of our Care Centre locations, you'll receive an email with a link to book your appointment. The mobile clinic visits each Care Centre location twice a year, and you can find the schedule here.

If you're not a Westfund member or live outside of a Care Centre location, you can check the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation's website for other spots.

Appointments are preferred as spots fill quickly, but walk-ins are welcome if time is available. If you need to cancel or reschedule, simply update your booking through the link provided in your confirmation email.

Make sure to book early to secure your spot!

Question 11

Where can I get domestic violence support for my family?

Accepted Answer

Member support

We are committed to supporting our members affected by family and domestic violence and encourage members to reach out for a confidential discussion about how we can help.

Family and domestic violence takes many forms and can affect anyone. For your safety, we recommend you open this page in a private/incognito window or open using a secure device. For more information visit respect.gov.au

Where can I get domestic violence support for my family?

There are a number of free services available to support those impacted by family and domestic violence. We’ve listed many of them out below.

While Westfund staff are not counsellors, we are here to support you. We encourage you to call us for a confidential discussion about the assistance we can offer when it comes to your health cover.

000

If you are in danger or need emergency assistance, please call 000.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

For free and confidential telephone counselling in relation to family and domestic violence and/ or sexual assault. If you need an interpreter or translator, you can ask for one and the counsellor will make the arrangements. You can visit 1800RESPECT or call 1800 737 732.

Lifeline (13 11 14)

For free, 24-hour telephone crisis support, visit Lifeline or call 13 11 14.

Elder Abuse Help Line (1800 353 374)

For free information and support services for people that have experienced or witnessed elder abuse, call Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 353 374.

Financial Counselling Australia (1800 007 007)

For free resources and advice from a private financial counsellor, please visit Financial Counselling Australia or call 1800 007 007.

Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)

For free telephone and online counselling, 24/7, visit Beyond Blue or call 1300 224 636.

13Yarn (13 92 76)

For mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13Yarn offers confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. Visit 13Yarn or call 13 92 76.

MensLine Australia (1300 789 978)

For free telephone and online support for men dealing with family and relationship difficulties, visit MensLine Australia or call 1300 789 978.

How Westfund can help

Financial leniency, in periods where your focus needs to be on your safety.
The option to help you take out your own policy, if you want, to protect your safety.
The introduction of additional layers of password protection to your account, to ensure that your personal and sensitive information remains safe and confidential.
The option to include a confidential note on your file, so that you only need to explain your situation to us once and so that subsequent staff who deal with you are aware of your situation.
The option to protect any claims that are made meaning claim information will not appear online or in any claims history documents that are issued, if it is sensitive.
The option to lock your account so that it can only be access by our staff that are directly involved in provided your assistance, giving you additional privacy.
We can discuss safe ways to communicate with you.

Financial leniency, in periods where your focus needs to be on your safety.
The option to help you take out your own policy, if you want, to protect your safety.
The introduction of additional layers of password protection to your account, to ensure that your personal and sensitive information remains safe and confidential.
The option to include a confidential note on your file, so that you only need to explain your situation to us once and so that subsequent staff who deal with you are aware of your situation.
The option to protect any claims that are made meaning claim information will not appear online or in any claims history documents that are issued, if it is sensitive.
The option to lock your account so that it can only be access by our staff that are directly involved in provided your assistance, giving you additional privacy.
We can discuss safe ways to communicate with you.

Question 12

What's the Natural Disaster Financial Hardship suspension?

Accepted Answer

We support our members when they need us the most.

That’s why we offer a Natural Disaster Financial Hardship suspension to members feeling the impacts of natural disasters – floods, fires and other events dealt by Mother Nature.

During the tough times, you don’t need the extra burden of health cover payments.

Temporary suspension (for up to three months) means you are able to retain your membership and resume paying your premiums when your situation improves.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim during this period.

However, once you reactivate your membership, you will not need to re-serve any waiting periods and you will be able to claim immediately on the benefits provided by your level of cover.

Our Natural Disaster Financial Hardship suspension is available once a natural disaster zone has been declared.

Need more support?

Our team are here to help. To chat about further support options that might be available depending on your circumstances, get in touch by calling us on 1300 937 838 from 8am - 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

You can also reach out via enquiries@westfund.com.au

There are some criteria and Terms and Conditions that apply to this offer. Find out more.

Question 13

What is the Westfund Community Grants Program?

Accepted Answer

The Westfund Community Grants Programs is an initiative by Westfund designed to give back to the communities we serve. Each year, the program provides over $200,000 in grants and defibrillators to support community groups and organisations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

The program is built upon a foundation of three pillars: family and community, health and wellbeing and fit for life. By supporting grassroots initiatives, we aim to foster thriving communities and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families.

Read the full details of our Community Grants Program here.

Question 14

What is the Westfund 2026 Giveback for Good Health?

Accepted Answer

Our Giveback for Good Health package, a $7 million* initiative to support our members with enhanced benefits and support accessing care in 2026.

Learn all about this initiative here.

Westfund member support

Mental health support

Skin screening

Other Member Support