Use your extras cover to improve your health and wellbeing

It’s February already, and for some of us, those new year’s resolutions may have already flown out the window. While your year may already be on a roll, now’s still a great time to get on track and plan to use your extras benefits for 2025. Getting more value from extras cover is easy when you set aside a little time to proactively use your benefits throughout the year. And it’s an investment in your health and wellbeing. 

We’ve pulled together some tips on how you can claim your extras health insurance to make 2025 healthier and happier.

Know your cover

Knowing what you’re covered for is important. Why? Because you might have extras benefits you haven’t claimed or you’ve forgotten about.  It’s one way you can make your private health insurance work for you. 

Your RT Health Cover Guide is a good place to start. It’s worth checking in to make sure you’re making the most of your extras cover. 

To find your Cover Guide, log in to the online Member Services portal. Or just go to our website any time that suits you. 

Extras for eyes, ears and teeth

Your eyes, teeth and ears: three of the most important parts of your body to check in on when it comes to your general health. We know they’re one of the main reasons for having extras cover.

The start of any new year (most RT Health extras benefits re-set every year on 1 January) is the perfect time to map out how and when you plan to use your optical, dental cover, and audiology benefits. Whether it’s just you, or you’re protecting the health of those you love, being hands-on when it comes to your eyes, teeth and ears can really pay off.

Book in now for annual check-ups. That way you’ll be sure to use your benefits for new glasses, dental work or hearing aids, if you need them.

Remember, members with extras cover also have access to our More for Teeth program and many other new benefits introduced for 2025.

Do you have joint pain?

Backs, hips, knees, necks – if the joints in these important body parts are giving you trouble, it’s time to get a check-up. If it’s covered by your extras, you’ll be able to get benefits paid up to your service and annual limit for lots of services like physio, chiro, osteopathy, podiatry. You can use your extras benefits to get pain relief or advice.

Need mental health support?

Eligible RT Health members* can claim for online cognitive behavioural courses delivered by This Way Up. These are evidence-based programs developed by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. 

Courses dealing with depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are just a few of the programs available.

Depending on your level of cover, you may also be able to access benefits for mental health services under the psychology annual limit of your cover. Check your RT Health Cover Guide to see what’s available to you.

Feeling tight in your body?

Remedial and Swedish massage are covered by most RT Health extras covers (as long as it’s with a registered provider) and, if so, you’ll be able to get benefits paid up to your service and annual limit. Why not get some treatment for those pesky pains a few times throughout the year?

Looking into alternative therapy?

Alternative therapies like acupuncture, exercise therapy, Chinese medicine and myotherapy may also be included in your extras cover (when the service is provided by a registered provider) and, if so, you’ll be able to get benefits paid up to your service and annual limit. Speak with your GP if you’re not sure about how these alternative therapies can help with your personal health concerns. 

Claiming gym membership?

If your extras cover includes gym membership (take a look under the ‘Health Improvement’ section of your RT Health Cover Guide) you’ve served your waiting periods, you’ll be able to claim a benefit for your gym membership.

Just fill in the special form (not the usual claim form), get your health professional to complete their section, send us your claim and you'll get a benefit for your gym membership. 

You won’t get the whole cost back, but it’s a helping hand to help you reach for your health and wellbeing goals. And if you stay covered, you can claim a benefit every year.

Need to claim health aids?

Items that help you monitor and improve your health are often covered under the ‘Health Aids’ section of your extras cover. Depending on your level of cover, you may be able to claim custom-made orthotics and orthopaedic shoes, as well as benefits for monitoring equipment that helps you deal with a health issue – devices like blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors, CPAP masks, nebulisers, crutches and TENS machines may be included in your cover.

Cost of prescription medicines adding up?

The cost of prescription medications can add up. If you’ve got extras cover, you may be covered for some of those high-cost prescription medications (medicines, vaccinations and injections).

Check out our recent Stay Well hub article to learn more about what you can claim.

We're here to help

We get it. Private health insurance can be complicated, but we’re here with you every step of the way to help you get more value from your cover.

If you have any questions about your cover, our Member Care team can answer any questions you have. Give us a call on 1300 886 123 or get in touch via email to help@rthealth.com.au

Important information

*This Way Up is available to RT Health members with Top Extras, Deluxe Extras and Smart Extras.

This wellbeing message is brought to you by the team at RT Health, a division of HCF, The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (ACN 000 026 746). This communication contains information which is copyright to HCF. It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, we do not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on our website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. The information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to your individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.