A pre-existing condition (PEC) is one where signs or symptoms of your ailment, illness or condition, in the opinion of a medical practitioner appointed by AIA Health Insurance (not your own doctor), existed at any time during the six months preceding the day on which you commenced cover for the relevant service.
If you have transferred from another health insurer without a break in cover, you do not need to re-serve hospital waiting periods you have previously completed. However, if you are adding or upgrading your hospital cover, you do need to complete waiting periods for the new or upgraded items. This includes reducing a hospital excess.
Pre-existing conditions related to palliative care, psychiatric and rehabilitation services will serve a two month waiting period. If you have less than 12 months membership on your current hospital cover, you’ll need to contact us by phone or email before being admitted so we can determine whether the waiting period for pre-existing conditions applies. It can take up to five working days to complete this assessment, so make sure you factor this in when you book your stay. If you go ahead with your admission without confirming your entitlements and we subsequently determine your condition to be pre-existing, you’ll have to pay all outstanding hospital and medical charges not covered by Medicare.