Extras cover can pay benefits towards optical services including glasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery (depending on your level of cover), and usually has annual limits and waiting periods. Let’s start with waiting periods.
Waiting periods – these apply to all health funds
Nobody loves waiting. But all health funds have waiting periods to protect their whole membership from ‘hit-and-run’ claims from new members, or people who might join a health fund to claim after the event. Sort of like trying to get car insurance after you’ve already had an accident. (We know you wouldn’t do that, but there are some people out there who do!)
Any waiting periods you have served when transferring from a similar level of cover within 30 days will be recognised. When upgrading your cover, waiting periods still apply if your new level of cover has higher benefits or covers more dental treatments.
Example: You have Mid Extras cover (which only has glasses and contact lenses coverage) for 12 months and you upgrade to High Extras, you’ll still need to wait another 24 months before getting laser eye surgery that you can claim on your cover.
| Optical category | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| Glasses & contact lenses | 6 months |
| Laser eye surgery | 24 months |
| Waiting period | Hospital cover |
|---|---|
| No waiting period | Hospitalisation related to an accident |
| No waiting period | Services covered by your old fund (if you transfer straight to a similar level of cover with us and have already served your waiting periods) |
| 1 day | Ambulance |
| 2 months | All other services, except for those listed below |
| 2 months | Upgrading your cover |
| 2 months | Health programs |
| 2 months | Hospital substitution programs |
| 2 months | Rehabilitation, psychiatric services and palliative care (even for pre-existing conditions) |
| 12 months | Pregnancy and birth |
| 12 months | Pre-existing conditions (except rehab, psych and palliative) |
Please note that not all items are listed and other waiting periods may apply. Please contact the fund for more information.
| Waiting period | Extras cover |
|---|---|
| No waiting period | Services covered by your old fund (if you transfer straight to a similar level of cover with us) |
| 1 day | Ambulance |
| 2 months | All other services, except for those listed below |
| 2 months | General dental, pharmacy, physio, chiro, podiatry & natural therapies |
| 6 months | Optical |
| 6 months | Health management programs |
| 12 months | High cost dentistry |
| 12 months | Pre/post-natal services (including midwifery) |
| 24 months | Laser eye surgery & hearing aids |
Please note that not all items are listed and other waiting periods may apply. Please contact the fund for more information.
If you're upgrading your extras cover, waiting periods still apply for the services that you weren't previously covered for.
Transferring from another fund? Switching is easy
We can’t speak for other health funds but switching to Peoplecare is simpler than you think! It takes around five minutes and you can switch online or over the phone.
Don’t worry, if you’re transferring from another health fund we’ll make sure we recognise any waiting periods you’ve already served if you switch within 30 days! Plus, if you’ve only served part of a waiting period, say, 2 months of a 6-month waiting period, you’ll only need to serve the remaining 4 months when you transfer to Peoplecare.
If you’re upgrading your cover, waiting periods still apply for the services that you weren’t previously covered for.
What does glasses & contact lenses include?
Peoplecare extras allows you to claim for a huge range of optical purchases including:
| Glasses | Contact lenses |
|---|---|
|
|
Why choose extras cover for your optical needs?
- Access extra discounts
Get exclusive offers only available to health fund members. No one likes missing out on a sweet deal!
- Score a rebate
Members can score a rebate (depending on your income) from the government to reduce the cost of Extras and Hospital cover premiums. It’s called the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance. View the income thresholds here.
- Claim lens extras
Don’t miss out on the latest lens technology and helpful features to keep your eyes comfortable and seeing clearly.
Optical benefits: Peoplecare extras covers
| Glasses & contact lenses | Laser eye surgery | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefit | Annual limit | Benefit | Limit (resets every 2 years) |
|
| Premium Extras | 100% | $300 per person |
80% | $600 per eye |
| High Extras | 100% | $250 per person | 70% | $500 per eye |
| Mid Extras | 100% | $200 per person | No | No |
| Simple Extras | 100% | $150 per person | No | No |
How does Peoplecare’s annual limit work?
Extras annual limits reset 1 July every year at Peoplecare. Many other health funds reset their annual limits 1 January every year.
Can I get No Gap or Low Gap glasses and sunnies?
Yes, Peoplecare has a number of offers that slash the price of your next pair of prescription glasses that are displayed below.
At the time of writing, here are our offers for Peoplecare extras members:
| Company | Special Offer Click the link for full details |
|---|---|
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(one location in Wollongong NSW) |
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(various locations across Australia) |
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(various locations across Australia) |
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(various locations across Australia) |
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Head to the Peoplecare member perks page for the latest offers.
How do No Gap glasses deals work?
Usually optical stores provide a limited range of lower cost frames to choose from with their No Gap range. The lenses you can select depend on the store and their current offers. For instance, more expensive lenses such as bi-focals often aren’t No Gap.
Can I swipe my Peoplecare card to claim optical?
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
|
Glasses & contact lenses |
Laser eye surgery |
How do I claim laser eye surgery?
The easiest way to claim for laser eye surgery is to take a photo of your receipt with our app Larry.
There are some important details that your receipt needs to include, so make sure you read our claiming guide before you get your surgery.
How can I claim for optical?
Use your Peoplecare membership card or take a photo of your receipt with our friendly claim app, Larry.
Did you know about Peoplecare’s combo discount?
Get a 10% discount off any Peoplecare Extras cover when combined with any Peoplecare Hospital cover. Sweet!
Are you near our one-stop dental and optical store in Wollongong?
Get a whole swag of discounts for Peoplecare members and top-quality care. Read more.