OVHC waiting periods explained

What a waiting period actually is

A waiting period is a set span of time, starting from your policy's start date, during which the insurer won't pay a claim for a specific category of treatment, even though you're otherwise covered. It exists to stop someone taking out a policy specifically because they already know they need a particular treatment, then claiming for it immediately.

Waiting periods apply per category, not as one blanket period for the whole policy — you might be fully covered for a hospital admission from day one while a specific category like pregnancy or a pre-existing condition still has months left to run.

Pre-existing conditions — commonly around 12 months

Most OVHC policies apply a waiting period to conditions you had signs or symptoms of before the policy started — commonly around 12 months, though the exact definition and length varies by insurer and product. 'Pre-existing' is usually defined by whether a reasonable person would have been aware of symptoms in a set period before taking out cover, not necessarily whether it was formally diagnosed.

Be honest and thorough when disclosing health history when you apply. Non-disclosure of a condition can void a claim entirely later, which is a far worse outcome than simply knowing in advance that a waiting period applies.

Pregnancy and obstetric care — commonly around 12 months

Pregnancy and birth-related care typically carries a waiting period of around 12 months as well, meaning you generally need to have held the policy for close to a year before the pregnancy or birth is covered. If you're already pregnant when you take out a policy, this waiting period does not reset or shorten because of that — it runs from your policy start date regardless.

Some insurers structure longer-duration policies (for example, two years or more) with different treatment of this waiting period, but this varies by product — confirm the current terms directly with the insurer rather than assuming a longer policy automatically waives it.

Shorter waiting periods for other services

Some categories of care — commonly psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative care — often carry a shorter waiting period than the 12-month pre-existing-condition standard, sometimes around two months, though this varies meaningfully by insurer and by policy tier, and some insurers structure this differently to others. There's no single figure that applies across every OVHC product.

If a specific waiting period matters to your situation, ask the insurer directly for the current written terms rather than relying on a general rule of thumb — this is genuinely one of the details that differs most between providers.

The myth: 'just ask them to waive it'

A piece of advice that circulates on forums is to simply ring the insurer and ask them to waive a waiting period, on the basis that 'they can generally do it without much fuss.' This is not reliable general advice. Waiting-period waivers are exceptional and discretionary, applied case by case at the insurer's judgement, not a routine request that typically succeeds.

Treating a waiver as a likely workaround risks real financial exposure if you plan around it and it doesn't happen for your specific claim. Plan your cover assuming the standard waiting periods will apply, and treat any waiver as a pleasant surprise rather than an expected outcome.

Switching or upgrading doesn't reset the clock in your favour

Upgrading to a higher tier, or switching to a new insurer, does not remove or shorten a waiting period you're still serving — if anything, switching to a genuinely new insurer can sometimes restart a waiting period, depending on the insurer's policy on prior cover. Some insurers will credit time already served under a similar previous policy if you switch within a short window of the old one lapsing; others won't.

Before switching providers while a waiting period is still running, ask the new insurer directly whether they'll recognise time already served — don't assume either way.

How long is the pre-existing condition waiting period on OVHC?

Commonly around 12 months, though the exact definition and length varies by insurer and product. It's calculated from your policy start date, based on whether you had signs or symptoms of the condition before taking out cover.

If I'm already pregnant, does upgrading my policy remove the pregnancy waiting period?

No. The pregnancy waiting period (commonly around 12 months) runs from your policy's start date and does not reset or shorten because you upgrade or because you're already pregnant when you buy the policy.

Can I just call my insurer and ask them to waive a waiting period?

You can ask, but waivers are exceptional and discretionary — not a routine outcome you should plan around. Treat the standard waiting periods as what will apply, and any waiver as a bonus rather than an expected result.

Does switching OVHC providers restart my waiting period?

It can, depending on the new insurer's policy — some will credit time already served under a similar previous policy if you switch promptly after the old one ends; others won't. Ask the new insurer directly before switching.

Are waiting periods the same for every insurer?

No. While pre-existing conditions and pregnancy commonly carry a waiting period around 12 months, the exact structure — including shorter periods for other services — varies meaningfully between insurers and products. Always confirm the current written terms with the specific insurer.