What is HICAPS? How to claim on the spot at the provider's

What HICAPS is

HICAPS is the on-the-spot claiming terminal used by most Australian providers. After your visit, reception swipes your health fund card, your insurer pays its share straight to the provider, and you only pay the gap — no claim form afterwards.

Step by step

• When booking, ask whether the provider has HICAPS (our provider pages show this).
• Before treatment, ask reception for a HICAPS quote to see roughly what you'll get back.
• After treatment, hand over your health fund card (physical, or the digital card in your insurer's app).
• Pay the gap: the benefit is deducted and you pay the rest by card.
• Keep the receipt for your records.

If the provider doesn't have HICAPS

Pay in full, keep an itemised receipt showing the provider and item numbers, then claim in your insurer's app by uploading a photo. The benefit is usually paid to your bank account within a few days.

Claiming for your parents

If your parents are on your family policy, the same card works, but tell reception which member was treated. If they have their own policy, bring their card or have their digital card ready in the app.