High Use Health Card

To be eligible for this card the patient needs to have visited a health practitioner at the general practice they are enrolled in, 12 or more times in one year, with the consultations being related to a particular condition or condition(s) which are ongoing. This card is not means tested.

The general practice will have a record of visits, and the doctor will need to make the application on the patient’s behalf for a HUHC. The card lasts for one year, after which time a new application can be made (if appropriate).

The HUHC may reduce the cost of:

• fees for after-hours general practice visits
• visits to a general practice where the individual is not enrolled – check this with the practice.

Some practices may charge a lower fee to enrolled patients with a HUHC – talk to your doctor or nurse about whether this is the case for you.

For patients with a Community Services Card (CSC), the subsidy for prescription fees and general practice visits for non-enrolled patients is the same. However, for patients with a HUHC, there is an advantage in also having a CSC, because the CSC enables enrolled patients to get lower cost fees and also gives subsidies to dependent family members. 

There are also a range of other benefits that CSC holders and their dependents may be entitled to. For more information go to the Community Services Card section.