Who is a dependant?

There's plenty of jargon involved with private health insurance - this can even include different terminology around the types of people who are covered. One example is dependants - what does 'dependant' mean for us?

Basically, a dependant is a person aged up to 31 years, who does not have a partner and therefore may be eligible to be on their parent or guardian/s policy. If you've got family cover, your dependant/s can be covered up to the age of 31 on eligible policies, regardless of whether they're a student or not. You will need to upgrade your family cover to include dependants once they turn 25.

A dependant with a disability is a person who is over the age of 31 and participates in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and holds an active NDIS plan.* It is important to note that Westfund's definition of a dependant differs to the Australian Taxation Office's definition.

Westfund offers Disability Dependant cover options, allowing disability dependants to remain on a sole parent/family membership under eligible products. 

Visit the NDIS website for more information on eligibility. 

*An active NDIS plan will be issued to an eligible person with a disability, containing an expiry date. During this time, they will be eligible for disability coverage. If the plan is reviewed, members must provide an updated end date once it is approved. If the plan expires the dependant with disability is no longer eligible to be covered under the disability cover type.

 

Common questions