How to switch your health insurance after divorce

If you’re going through a divorce, reviewing and updating your private health insurance is an important step to ensure your cover still suits your circumstances and you don’t lose benefits you’ve already earned.

Divorce can be a challenging time and amid the number of things that need to be organised it’s understandable if switching your health insurance isn't front of mind.

If you're covered under a couples or family policy, your private health insurance policy won’t automatically update when your relationship status changes.

In most cases:

If no action is taken, you could:

Bupa

Bupa allows members to remove a partner from a couple’s policy or family policy and nominate an effective date. The primary policyholder usually keeps the existing policy, while the removed partner will need to take out their own cover if they wish to remain insured.

If you switch insurers within 60 days and move to an equivalent or lower cover, waiting periods already served are usually recognised. If you upgrade, waiting periods apply to the upgraded services only.

Medibank Private

Medibank supports policy changes following separation, including removing a partner from shared cover. Members who leave a policy generally need to take out their own singles cover.

Waiting periods already served are usually carried across when moving to equivalent cover, provided you take out your new policy within the required timeframe. If you switch funds, standard portability rules apply, helping ensure continuity of cover where possible.

NIB

NIB recommends the removed partner contact them within 30 days to set up a new policy. In some cases, NIB can backdate the new policy to the removal date (with premiums payable), helping avoid waiting periods.

Waiting periods already served are generally recognised when moving to comparable cover. However, any claims made under the previous policy may still count toward annual benefit limits.

HCF

HCF allows the primary policyholder to remain on the existing policy while the other adult transitions to singles or single-parent cover. Waiting periods already served are generally recognised on equivalent cover.

HCF also highlights privacy considerations once policies are separated, noting that once a partner is removed from a policy, they can no longer access the other member's personal information or future updates.

HBF

HBF allows separated partners to transfer off a shared policy and recognises waiting periods already served, including partially served waiting periods, when moving to comparable cover. If benefits are increased, waiting periods apply to those upgraded services.