Practical ways to save money on your Latrobe Health Services insurance.

Understanding rate change

Rate changes happen across the industry each year, with health funds generally adjusting premiums each April. Latrobe Health Services is a not-for-profit insurer, meaning we don’t increase premiums unless we have to. We write to all members ahead of time, explaining our increases which vary by product. We focus on keeping any increases as low as we can and helping you pay less where possible. This article outlines simple, practical steps you can take now to hold your costs and get more value from your membership.

Lock in today’s price with rate protection

You can prepay up to 13 months of premiums and hold your current rate when you pay before 31 March 2026 using the Latrobe Health app or online member portal.

How do I take advantage of rate protection?

1. Log into your Latrobe Health Online Account or app. You can register and login here.
2. Navigate to the payment details section and select a date up to 13 months in the future. Selecting a date means you’re choosing to pay your premiums at the current rate until the selected future date.   
3. Provide your card details and press ‘process payment’

If you make a 6-month advance payment you will receive rate protection for this period and a 1% discount, and if you make a 12-month advance payment, you will receive rate protection and a 2% discount.  Visit our help centre for more information.

Get a cover review with our team

Call us and ask for a cover review. Our expert team in regional Victoria will complete a needs analysis, understanding your life stage, how you use your cover, and what’s ahead. We confirm the core benefits you rely on and identify options you don’t use. We check your excess, waiting periods and limits, and we suggest straightforward savings moves. The goal is simple. Keep the right cover and reduce what you pay without losing the care you value.

Cut inhospital gaps with Access Gap Cover

When you’re planning a hospital procedure, ask your specialists to bill under Access Gap Cover. Specialists who participate either charge no gap or a known gap capped at up to $500 per doctor per admission and $800 for obstetrics, with written Informed Financial Consent. Latrobe Health participates in the AHSA Access Gap scheme, and doctors can opt in episode-by-episode. Always ask your surgeon, anaesthetist and assistant surgeon if they will use Access Gap and get the estimate in writing before you book.  Learn more about Access Gap cover here.

Pick the right excess to lower premiums

Choosing a higher hospital excess can reduce your premium. Latrobe Health offers excesses up to $750. Make sure the excess suits your budget if you’re admitted. Our team will explain the trade-off clearly but a higher excess typically means a lower premium but more upfront costs at admission, and a lower excess means a higher premium with fewer upfront costs at admission.

Use Accident Advantage after an accident

Latrobe Health Services offers Accident Advantage on all available-to-purchase hospital covers. Accident Advantage provides you with top-tier coverage for related treatments that would normally be excluded or restricted on your policy for up to 90 days. Submit the Accident Advantage form within 21 days and your hospital excess for the related admission is waived. This is built into eligible Latrobe Health policies, with clear timing and eligibility rules on our website and form. Learn more about Accident Advantage here.  

Claim your Government rebate

Most Latrobe Health members are eligible for the private health insurance rebate. You can claim it upfront through your health insurer or as a tax offset at yearend through the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Rebate percentages and income thresholds are set by Government and updated each year. From 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026, base tier rebates for under 65s are up to 24.288%, with higher thresholds applying; confirm your tier before choosing how to claim.

Plan hospital care smartly

Use agreement hospitals recognised for your policy to help manage costs. Before admission, get itemised quotes and Informed Financial Consent (IFC) from your doctor and hospital so you know any gaps upfront. If your doctor agrees to bill under Access Gap, IFC is required when a patient has a gap. Latrobe Health members also receive excellent deals when treated at Maryvale Private Hospital in Morwell. Learn more about Maryvale Private Hospital on their website.

Save on everyday optical

Latrobe Health members have exclusive partner offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs for glasses and lenses. At Specsavers, members can receive 25% off one pair from the $149 range or above and 20% off lens options instore. At OPSM, members can access 20% off lenses and lens extras and 15% off non-prescription sunglasses. Always present your membership card or your Latrobe Health Services QR code generated from the app at the counter to gain access to these deals.