The world is currently dealing with COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing a very challenging situation health-wise. If you are an international student and trapped in Australia because of the crisis, you might feel concerned about how your OSHC provider reacts to this situation. Or, once the borders are opened, and you will be able to travel to Australia, will your OSHC cover you for COVID-19?

Are you covered?

Whether you are feeling unwell or not, first and most importantly, you will be pleased to know that the COVID-19 situation does not change any of the benefits already given by OSHC providers. It means you will continue to enjoy benefits on hospital and medical services including GP visits, PBS prescription medicines, pathological tests and emergency treatments.

According to government data, all OSHC providers have confirmed to cover COVID-19 related illnesses, mainly for ‘lung and chest’, ‘kidney’, ‘dialysis for chronic kidney failure’ or clinical illnesses. However, if the illness falls under ‘pre-existing conditions’ (hyperlink), a waiting period will apply. The waiting period will get waived in case of emergency treatments.

GetMyPolicy is continuously monitoring the evolving situation, and we strive to provide you with the relevant information on what measures are being taken by your insurer in response to the current scenario.

Before delving deep into specific coverage offered by leading insurance providers, you need to follow the basic guidelines if you contract any illness or COVID symptoms. You are advised to stay at home, call your GP or any healthcare service and seek telephonic advice at first.

Allianz Global Assistance

Both face-to-face and telephonic consultations are available. Pathology and radiology, including Specialists and COVID-19 tests, are covered by Allianz Global Assistance.

The cover is available to OSHC policyholders for hospital and out-of-hospital medical care, including PBS prescription drugs, care for emergencies. Here you can find details about Allianz Care OSHC Coverage during COVID-19.

In case you need any help, you can reach them at;

OSHC general information (within Australia)-  13 67 42

OSHC general information (from overseas)- +61 7 3305 8841

Must Read: With OSHC, Secure Your Health and College Life In Australia

Bupa

Bupa has taken several initiatives during the ongoing situation for its customers. It ensures that all clients who have a hospital policy are covered for lung, chest conditions.

Bupa OSHC has also expanded its Extras benefit and includes a claim for psychology, speech pathology, physiotherapy etc. Video and phone consultations for selected extras services are also available. 

It has announced $50m financial hardship relief, and in case you are facing any financial stress for COVID-19, you can directly reach them. More information is available here.

In case you need any help, you can reach them at;

OSHC enquiries (within Australia) – 1800 888 942

OSHC enquiries (outside Australia) – +61 3 9937 4223

Ahm and Medibank

Ahm OSHC and Medibank is covering 85% of the MBS fee for the cost of COVID-19 pathological testing, 100% of MBS fee for face to face GP consultation, 85% of the MBS fee for GP telepath consultation and so on. Full details are available on their website.

If you are facing any trouble or have any query, you can reach them;

OSHC helpline no- 134 148

Medibank has also introduced COVID-19 health assist. Eligible members with hospital cover may access free of cost personalised support and care at home from healthcare professionals. It has designed several programs to support those who are affected by the pandemic. Starting from ‘at home monitoring’ to ‘mental and physical health-support to recover’ from the disease, Medibank is offering a range of solutions.

Nib

In line with product design and subject to regular waiting periods and pre-existing assessment requirements, Nib benefits are payable. Nib covers 100 per cent of MBS for GP appointments, 85 per cent of outpatient services such as pathology’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) cost, up to $50 on PBS prescription drugs (with a cap) and hospital coverage can differ depending on your policy.

To know what you are explicitly covered for, you should read the OSHC policy fact sheet. Tap here to find out more about COVID-19 and your policies.

You can contact your Nib provider if you have further queries;

OSHC helpline no- 1800 775 204

If you still feel overwhelmed, you can also reach out to the customer support executives of GetMyPolicy for any queries regarding your OSHC policy. Also, you can seek help from GetMyPolicy Live Support, anytime, for any guidance regarding the purchased policy.

In the meantime, if you are looking to buy any Overseas Student Health Cover, visit getmypolicy.online for instant comparison of a wide range of plans from the leading insurers of Australia. Purchase the best health cover to safeguard you and your family at this difficult time.

The importance of international students in Australia is pretty high as it contributes approx. $40 billion to the country’s economy and many of them go on to become responsible citizens of the country.

The current COVID-19 situation has thrown up significant challenges for every sector, including education (offshore and onshore). Many students who already have a student visa couldn’t travel and are waiting for the borders to re-open. Students who are already in Australia may also face some financial struggle due to the current pandemic.

In the previous blog, we have already discussed the COVID-19 insurance coverage for the students who are already here in Australia. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) starts from the day you land in Australia. 

But what about the students who couldn’t move to Australia due to the closure of international borders? This article aims to resolve some queries related to the health cover for students who are in their home country. But before that, let’s look at some rule changes to ensure the students are not worse-off during this situation.

What measures are taken for international students?

• When borders will re-open, students who already have visas will be able to make plans to fly as the government recommenced issuing of student visas.
• If any student is unable to complete their studies due to COVID-19, they can lodge another student visa application free of cost.
• Student visa holders outside Australia who are studying online due to the current situation can apply for a post-study work visa. They will be able to fulfil the Australian study requirement.
• Graduates with a student visa would be permitted to apply from outside Australia for a post-study work visa if they are unable to return because of COVID-19.

The government had permitted international students to work more than 40 hours per fortnight for a limited period at major supermarkets, Aged Care facilities and hospitals due to the situation. Although, from 1 May, the relaxation was lifted.

Students who are outside Australia at this moment have some common concerns about their OSHC Australia.

We have summed up these frequent queries below:

• Why do I need an OSHC if I am not in Australia? Can I cancel my policy?
• Can I get a refund if I am not using the policy?
• Can I cancel my OSHC policy if I am not coming to Australia?
• If I contract COVID-19 Overseas, will it be considered a pre-existing condition?

Why do I need an OSHC if I am not in Australia?

It is a mandatory requirement for the overseas students to have an OSHC at the time of applying for a student visa under 8501 conditions. There are some exemptions for the students who belong to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia.

The OSHC documents will be required at the time of applying for your visa. Even if you are not in Australia, you need an OSHC, because if you have a visa, you can travel as soon as the borders re-open. However, your cover only commences from the day you arrive in the country.

Can I cancel my policy?

You must keep an overseas student health cover for those on a valid student visa to satisfy the student visa requirements. If your visa has been revoked or refused at the time of application, you can cancel your policy and the insurer’s standard termination and refund rules will apply. Supporting proof would be needed, such as a notice of visa refusal or cancellation.

You cannot cancel your policy if you are studying online from overseas unless you have already cancelled your visa and will no longer return to Australia.

Can I get a refund if I am not using it?

Suppose, you have an OSHC Nib, and you have not been able to travel because of the border closure. However, you will still come to Australia at some point. In that case, you can change the policy dates.

You will be required to send confirmation of enrolment to confirm the new dates or, once you arrive, provide your flight information so that they can modify your policy dates accordingly.

All insurance providers are happy to accommodate change of date requests and re-issue OSHC as per the new travel dates and revised course duration, once the border restrictions are lifted.

Can I cancel my OSHC policy if I am not coming to Australia?

If you are no longer coming to Australia, you can cancel the OSHC policy.

If I contract COVID-19 Overseas, will it be considered a pre-existing condition?

Know More: How Are OSHC Providers in Australia Responding During COVID-19 Pandemic?

Most of the insurance providers, such as BUPA, are providing services without evaluation of whether the presenting condition is pre-existing. It is applicable for out-patient medical facilities such as GP visits and examinations (e.g. pathology). But, in case you need to get admitted to a hospital or require repatriation, a standard pre-existing assessment may apply. The insurer will individually evaluate each case. It would be best if you contact your insurance provider to know more detailed information.

You can also get in touch with GetMyPolicy customer support executive if you need any assistance in purchasing your OSHC or visit www.getmypolicy.online.

That feeling is indeed exhilarating!

You’ve always dreamt of studying in Australia and the opportunity finally knocks at your door.

You got a Confirmation of Enrolment from the desired university to apply for student visa.

Every moment is now consumed preparing the application- collecting required academic certificates, evidence of sufficient funds & proving English language proficiency.

Did you make arrangement for the sufficient level of health insurance cover too?

But I am visiting Australia just to complete my studies. I’ve enough funds to take care of myself. Why would I need health insurance? You wonder.

Here’s why you need health cover!

The applicants of Australian student visa along with their dependents are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of stay in Australia. If you fail to get a health insurance cover, you are at a risk of having your visa cancelled.

The average cost of a private bed in a public hospital is $250 and over $600 in a private hospital without health insurance.

What is OSHC?

OSHC is a health coverage specifically designed to help international students cover the costs of medical and hospital care for the duration of stay in Australia.

With OSHC, an international student is covered for:

• Out-of-hospital medical services
• Ambulance services
• 100% of MBS fee for any in-patient services like surgery or extended care for an illness
• Public and private shared ward accommodation (only those private hospitals that are associated with OSHC insurance provider)
• Some Prosthetic devices
• Pharmaceutical benefits up to $50 to a maximum of $300/year for an individual and $600 for families or couples

Depending on the level of cover you choose, OSHC also include costs for general treatment like dental, optical and physiotherapy.

There are also other treatments covered but include a waiting period. These include psychiatric or pregnancy related. The waiting period begins from the first day listed on student visa.

Why it is necessary for international students to buy OSHC?

International students in Australia are not eligible for Medicare, Australia’s health care system that offers a range of medical services for free or at a lower cost.

And paying for emergency medical services can be really costly in Australia. This is when overseas student health cover comes to the rescue. It provides an access to medical treatment that is available and affordable in case any unfortunate situation happens.

Must Read: International Students Who Are Stuck in Their Home Country After Securing Their Student Visa, What Happens to Your OSHC?

How much does OSHC cost?

The cost of OSHC varies depending upon the type of cover you need. There are three different levels of health cover.

• Single – covers the main applicant i.e. overseas student
• Dual family – covers the overseas student and either one adult spouse/de facto partner or one or more children younger than 18 years’ old
• Multi-family – covers the overseas student and more than one dependant, including one adult spouse/de facto partner or one or more dependent children

Who are the top insurers of OSHC Australia?

Currently, there are five leading health insurance providers of OSHC:

• BUPA Australia
• Nib OSHC
• AHM
• Allianz Care
• Medibank

How to make arrangements for OSHC?

You can choose to buy OSHC either from the education provider or OSHC approved provider. Regardless of your choice, it is mandatory to have a continuous coverage for the entire duration of stay in Australia. This particularly applies to those international students studying through two different institutions which make arrangements of insurance on student’s behalf.

If you are planning to choose your own OSHC approved provider, it can be quite tough and overwhelming to buy the best suitable one due to a wide array of insurance policies available. Hence, it is always advisable to compare health insurance plans to make sure you are covered for all medical contingencies.

At www.getmypolicy.online , you can compare wide range of OSHC plans by leading health providers and buy the one that perfectly fits your requirements. It serves you with unbiased comparison and also has quick and simplified buying process. And yes, there are no hidden costs too!

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia

If you belong to the country that has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you are eligible to access some subsidised health services with Medicare. This includes emergency care or care for an illness that needs to be treated immediately. You may be still required to have OSHC as the cover is limited.

So now you have understood the importance of having a health insurance, make sure you don’t let it become a barrier to fulfil your international dreams by not purchasing the one.

If you need further assistance to buy the right OSHC plan, Give us a buzz today! We’ll come with the best solutions in no time.

The thought of studying and getting a degree in Australia triggers endless number of questions in the mind of an international student.

Some of the common ones are:

How will I find accommodation?

What if I face financial problems there?

Will I be able to overcome the language barrier?

How will I make arrangements for the sufficient level of Health Cover?

This is also followed by edginess of going through months of paperwork and applications, travelling thousands of miles and undertaking the challenging course of study.

While getting solutions for these concerns certainly pave the way to ensure a smooth transition to the “land down under”. There’s one question that rarely comes up but has a huge impact on your international journey.

What happens if you become pregnant while studying in Australia?

No doubt the situation is relatively rare, it does happen, whether it’s planned or unplanned. And falling pregnant while you study in Australia greatly affects your student visa.

Let’s see how!

It is evident that international students must have adequate level of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to meet the medical and hospital care costs in Australia.

Must Read: Why Overseas Student Health Cover Is Necessary to Get Australian Student Visa

This health cover clearly specifies that pregnancy is not covered for international students with the exception of emergency medical situations that may arise.

Not having a sufficient level of health cover for the duration of stay in Australia means breaching the condition 8501, which ultimately results into the cancellation of visa.

Hence, it is essential to know OSHC policies thoroughly including the pregnancy related services along with the childbirth.

Upgrading the OSHC Policy

OSHC comprises of three policies- Single, Dual and Multi-family. If you fall pregnant in Australia, you need to upgrade your policy before the baby is born.

If your policy covers the benefits for a single person, you need to upgrade to dual or multi-family policy.

If you are on dual family policy and have one spouse or recognised de-facto and more than one dependent child in your policy, you need to upgrade it to multi-family policy. Both dual and multi-family policy will increase the amount of premium you pay for the policy.

However, if you are already on multi-family policy, you just need to add baby in your policy and there will not be any changes in your premium.

The policy must be upgraded within 60 days of baby’s birth date to avoid waiting periods and ensure baby is covered for medical services that may need.

Once the baby is born, all you need to do is to contact your OSHC provider to add him/her in the policy.

Choosing the Hospital

One can choose to have baby either as:

• Patient in public hospital OR
• Patient in private hospital (Gap fees & out-of-pocket costs applicable)

Types of Pregnancy Care Covered in OSHC Policy

In Australia, pregnancy care is provided by obstetricians, doctors or midwives.

You need to consult your local doctor first and get recommended for the services of an obstetrician or qualified midwife. Such individuals partake in a shared maternity care program to manage pregnancy.  That practitioner or specialist you choose will then be responsible to see you on a daily basis throughout your pregnancy.

Shared maternity care is usually given to women who are healthy and include no complications in pregnancy. Doctors or midwives involved in the care may charge some gap fees but the amount is likely to be less than obstetrician fees.

Obstetricians in public hospitals are the doctors having specialisations in pregnancies and birth. Such individuals are generally involved in providing care if a woman experience complications during the pregnancy. One needs to attend public hospital antenatal clinic and get referred by the local doctor for your initial consultation.

If you choose to select your own obstetrician, you need to have your baby at the hospital, with whom your obstetrician is affiliated. You can first choose your hospital and ask for a list of obstetricians.

Note: Without a referral from the local doctor, you won’t be able to take your first obstetric appointment.  You also need to confirm the fees of private obstetricians and the Medicare item numbers. Once you have all this information, OSHC provider can confirm your gap fees.

Out-of-pocket Costs

Once the baby is born and doesn’t require to be formally admitted to hospital, any charges will not be incurred for the baby’s care. However, in case the baby needs treatment and requires to be admitted as an in-patient of the hospital, you may require to pay certain portion of the costs. This amount usually refers to the co-payment that is payable on your policy. The same is also applicable in case of twins or multiple births.

Services not covered in OSHC Pregnancy Care

• Out-of-hospital medical expenses including consultation and check-ups from obstetrician. 
• Excesses and co-payments (if the baby is formally admitted to hospital)
• Fee for the paediatrician’s visit (on private health insurance policy)

Looking to add pregnancy cover in your OSHC? You can get the best quote at www.getmypolicy.online.

At Getmypolicy.online, you can compare a wide range of OSHC plans by leading health insurance providers on different parameters and pick the one that meet your requirements.

For further assistance on upgrading your OSHC policy, you can get in touch with our experts today at support@getmypolicy.online.

Many students want to extend their stay in Australia after they have completed their studies. They can do so by applying a Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485. This visa gives students full work rights, and additional time to secure points under points test scheme for students who are also keen on securing a permanent residency in Australia.

Who needs a 485 visa?

A 485 Visa can be applied by all international graduates who have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia and wish to live in Australia for some time. You would also need to provide evidence of a valid Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) to get a Temporary Graduate visa, also called a 485 visa.

Who is eligible to apply for 485 visa?

The basic eligibilities to apply for a 485 visa are;

• Must be under 50 years’ old
• Must hold an eligible visa
• Must have held a Student Visa in the past six months
• Covered by a Bridging or Substantive visa
• Must have studied a CRICOS-registered course for at least 92 academic weeks in Australia.
• Apply under graduate work stream or post study work steam on the basis of level of course work completed while on the student visa.
• One visa stream only nomination- stream can’t be changed after you apply
• Meet the additional requirements
• For Graduate Work Stream, you may need accreditation from the industry body that is associated with your qualification/skill

What are the choices of streams given in a temporary graduate visa?

Two choices of visa streams are available under a temporary graduate visa; i.e. Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream. You can apply any of the streams.

Graduate Work Stream

If you have recently completed your graduation in a course that is relating to the occupation of skill shortage in Australia, you can apply or this visa. This visa allows you to study, stay and work in Australia.

• You can work and stay in Australia up to 18 months
• If you have a qualification applicable to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
• Bring your family to Australia
• The processing period for this visa is about four months

Post-study Work Stream

If you have completed a degree from an Australian university recently, you can stay and work in Australia with this visa stream.

• Based on your qualification, you can work and live from 2 to 4 years in Australia
• Have a degree from CRICOS-registered course
• Bring your family to Australia
• It takes approx. 4 months to process the visa

Is it necessary to complete an English Language test for 485 visa?

Yes, it is necessary to complete an English Language Test like IELTS, PTE as a part of your visa application to ensure your English proficiency.

Will I require to buy a health cover for my 485 visa?

During the time of the application, as a condition of your 485 Visa requirement, you will require to buy an Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Basically, a student needs a transition from their OSHC to an OVHC, i.e. a 485 visa health insurance. Having an adequate OVHC is essential to meet the 8501 visa condition.

The main difference between an OSHC and OVHC is that you will need to buy the OSHC at one go for the entire period of your stay in Australia. Whereas, you can pay the premium every month for your OVHC policy.

Remember, like an OSHC; you must have to maintain appropriate health insurance for your entire stay in Australia once your 485 visa request is granted, as well.

Checklist: What things to keep in mind before choosing the health cover?

There are some points one needs to keep in mind before purchasing the health cover. First, you need to know that there are three levels of cover for an OVHC. First, you can take only a Hospital cover, second, you can take a Hospital plus GP cover, and third, you can buy a Hospital plus GP plus Extras.

Now, you have to decide for how long you intend to stay in Australia? The next thing is how much can you afford? Depending on those two things, you can start looking for a cover.

Here is a tip. You should think about the budget before choosing a cover; however, you must check what type of coverage you require depending on your profession. You should opt for a higher cover if you are in a risky profession.

Likewise, if you have any chronic health issues or pre-existing conditions, you need to look for the policies that cover that illness. In that case, do not forget to buy Extras to cover facilities like dental, contact lenses, physiotherapy, psychology, chiropractic, hearing aids etc. as a part of your OVHC policy.

How can GetMyPolicy help you?

GetMyPolicy makes your job a lot easier if you are looking for the tailored health cover made for you. The leading insurance providers in Australia are listed under www.getmypolicy.online. You can find a wide range of OVHC Australia policies on this platform which are 100% visa compliant. Select the best cover that suits and need and budget, and you are good to go.

Traveling abroad demands in-depth preparation in various aspects. The key among them are finance, housing, university or job, and of course, health. The last one seems to be more crucial in ongoing times like COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, your foremost aim should be to secure the best Overseas Health Insurance as per your current health condition.

Let’s start right from the basics. Why Overseas Health Insurance is necessary in Australia? Is it over – hyped? Is it compulsory and why? Can’t we just use Medicare? Is it necessary to extend health cover when we extend our visa?

Let’s take a while and know the answers to the most frequently asked questions when people relate the terms: Visa, Overseas Health Insurance, Australia, Compulsory, Cost & Comparison, Extending/Renewing OSHC/OVHC Insurance.

As many of us know, Australia is one of the few nations that brags about the level of medical facilities it provides to its people and citizens. The public health care system a.k.a Medicare, covers all doctor charges at public hospitals. It also reimburses as much as 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for a general practitioner and 85% of the MBS fee for a specialist. Medicare is not just about fee reimbursement or free treatment, it also encompasses eye tests, surgical procedures by dentists, various tests undertaken by patients such as X – rays, pathology tests etc.

However, Medicare stays limited to Australia and a few countries that has Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements (RHA) with Australia. Subject to various types of visa and policies, Australia has an RHA with countries like Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom.

The healthcare system in Australia is dear and can account for massive out-of-pocket expenses if not covered with appropriate overseas health insurance. One day at a hospital in Australia with a private bed and consultations could cost a person as much as $1000

Must Read: With OSHC, Secure Your Health and College Life In Australia

As various types of visas have various health requirements, it becomes important for us to check the requirements as stated by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. Let’s understand some of them.

• All student visas, under subclass 500, requires students to have and maintain an OSHC Health Cover during their entire period of stay in Australia. The ONLY exemptions for an OSHC insurance is if students are from Norway, Sweden or Belgium – covered under various agreements. To everyone else, it stands compulsory.
• Students under Temporary Graduate Visas, under subclass 485, are also mandated to have an adequate OVHC insurance (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) during their stay in Australia. If the applicant hails from the country Australia has a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement (RHA) with, they might be covered under Medicare.
• For Visitor visas, under subclass 600, are not mandated to possess an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) insurance however, it is recommended not to travel without one unless you wish to spend $1000-$2000 everyday unnecessary.

But insurance once done is done. No need to extend or renew, right? Well, you may want to re-think and do things differently.

Sam is studying in Australia and rightfully has an OSHC insurance to save him from medical expenses. He wishes to extend his stay and pursue Masters to have better career prospects.
His friend Bert, who is working in the university library is going through the same conundrum to extend his working visa.

So, what do they do? Can they extend their visa applications without extending their health insurances? The answer is simple. No, they can’t.

When one renews their student visa or working visa, they also have to renew their OSHC or working visa health cover. They have to have the relevant overseas health insurances till the date they wish to stay in Australia.To make the matter simple, Sam can visit GetMyPolicy.online to view, compare & buy the best health policy as per his needs to renew OSHC insurance. Similarly, Bert can renew his working visa health cover and align it with his needs and specifications by comparing various plans from visitors’ insurance providers. GetMypolicy.online enlists all the government-approved OSHC like Ahm, Allianz Global Assistance, Bupa OSHC, Medibank, OSHC Nib etc.

With the renewed status of their respective overseas health insurance, they will be eligible to extent their visa. But hey, what happens if they forget to renew their health covers?

In Sam’s case, if his student health cover expires when in Australia on a student visa, he can still renew OSHC insurance for the rest of his student visa, but will have to pay the premiums for the gap period when he did not have the cover. He will also not be able to claim any benefits during the expired period of his student’s health cover.

In a similar fashion, if Bert’s OVHC insurance policy expires when he’s in Australia on a working visa, he will still be able to renew OVHC insurance. However, if his visa expires, it will be termed as invalid and he will now have to appear for a new visa. It would have been ideal for him had he renewed the same before the expiry of his existing working visa. Moreover, he’ll need to keep in mind to not only to extend his working visa in time but also renew OVHC insurance before it gets lapse.

Must Read: 6 Most Important Terms to Consider for Australia Health Insurance Plan

This post is all about how international students can claim their pharmacy expenses based on their OSHC Insurance.

Before we begin, one ought to understand what is PBS?

PBS stands for “Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme” is an Australian Government program that benefits Australians as well as visitors by subsidizing medicines to make them more affordable.

The PBS is governed by the National Health Act 1953. Details about the Minister for Health are available on the Department of Health website.

OSHC for Australia is mandatory for students to keep for the entire length of their student visa. In short, OSHC insurance is a visa-length cover. Pharmacy bills containing prescription medicines prescribed by a doctor/GP while in Australia are covered under your OSHC Health Insurance.

PBS prescriptions are always accompanied by co-payment. For now, major OSHC providers have set the minimum co-payment amount for the international students to $42.30.

If the cost of a PBS medicine falls below the general co-payment amount (under co-payment prescription), the method used to calculate the maximum general patient charge for the medicine includes an Additional Fee, an Additional Patient Charge, and any applicable price premiums.

To claim the pharmacy expenses, a student first has to pay the co-payment of  $42.30 (counted towards each item in the bill) & the rest will be paid by the OSHC provider up to a maximum limit of $50 per prescribed item.

Later, the student has to contact OSHC health insurance provider to start the claim process for reimbursement. We hope that the pharmacy expenses claim process for OSHC policy will be easier to understand with the following infographic.

Do you always feel “tumbling down the rabbit hole” because of the complex terms involved whenever you need a new or extend your health insurance plan?

Well, relax. We have got you covered in this post.

Australia requires you to have OSHC (overseas student health cover) for students and OVHC (overseas visitor health cover) for working and visitor visa categories.

Choosing the right overseas health insurance can be an intimidating process for aspiring & existing international students because it demands to figure out which policy is the best one.

Aspiring migrants who want to settle down in Australia also face the same issue with buying adequate health insurance (OVHC) to meet the Australian visa requirements.

Australia boasts one of the best health & medical facility across the world and thus; one must require to have the specific level of health insurance (OSHC and OVHC) for themselves as well as the family members for the entire duration of stay in Australia.

Among many others, the leading government-approved health providers are Ahm OSHC, Allianz Care OSHC, Bupa OSHC, Medibank OSHC, and Nib OSHC. ensures the best coverage against hefty medical and hospital accommodation bills that usually occurs due to some situations that we compiled in another blog.

Buying health insurance is a tricky deal to crack, to be honest. No one wants to regret their decision after investing the money. So, it is always recommended not to get overwhelmed with the information available in the market and ever think about the actual need before buying a policy.

This is attributed to a number of questions asked related to health or the use of medical terms that certainly gives a hard time to understand and make the buying process insanely confusing.

Besides, people often confuse “benefits” with “returns”. Even though health insurance is considered an investment, it is strictly limited to risk protection and not increasing your savings.

Are you also looking to buy the best overseas health cover and want to avoid the same consequences? You need not panic.

Let’s start with the 7 points that one must consider before buying an overseas health cover. Take a look!

1. Coverage: Are you among the ones who prefer to buy a overseas health insurance just because it’s less expensive? If yes, then you may have to rethink. One must not purchase a plan just because it is less costly but carefully measure the amount of coverage it offers.

Some of the incentives to ask the insurance provider are pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization, network hospitals, day-care services, free medical check-ups, maternity benefits, amount of money for claims, etc.

2. Premium: Before buying overseas health insurance, one must calculate the premium. Premium is the amount you are required to pay for your health insurance coverage, typically every month.

You need to decide how much you can afford to spend on your policy since each insurer has a different set of standards and assumptions to measure the premium amount, and if you fail to pay that amount you risk losing coverage.

3. Deductibles: A deductible is a specific amount that a policyholder pays each year towards the medical expenses before the insurance provider proceed to provide you with the benefits.

For example, you buy an annual $1000 deductible health cover and a hospital stay that will cost you $20,000. Yeah, you’d only be responsible for paying $1000, and the health plan will start paying the premiums for the remaining $19,000 as per the contract terms and conditions.

The primary purpose of having a deductible is to keep the premiums low through cost-sharing and reduce the number of small claims.

4. Waiting Periods: While purchasing an overseas health cover, one has to keep in mind the waiting period. All health cover plans come with a waiting period for pre-existing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, etc. It is a specific period that you need to cover before claiming any benefits in your insurance policy.

Generally, a waiting period of 2 to 4 years is a standard clause in the majority of the health policies. When you abide by this clause (i.e. serve your waiting period), you will never be denied for appropriate claims by the insurance companies.

5. Co-pay or Coinsurance:  Co-payments are the fixed amount of cost-sharing between the insurance provider and the policyholder for specific health benefits or drugs. For example, you purchase a policy for primary care doctors with $20 co-pay, and generic drugs with $10 co-pay. For those facilities, you have to pay specific fixed amounts regardless of the cost.

More often, people confuse co-pay with deductibles, but, they are entirely different terms. A co-pay is the fixed amount that you pay each time you get a particular type of health service. While a deductible is an amount that you pay annually before actually reaping the benefits of your health insurance cover.

6. Sum Insured: Sum Insured is the guaranteed amount of money an insurance company assures to pay when a claim is made. When choosing a ‘Sum Insured’, you need to consider your age, income levels and add-on covers in the policy as it also affects your premium amount. It is always advisable to take care of medical inflation in order to make the most of the sum insured.

7. Exclusions: Before purchasing the policy one must check the exclusions. Exclusions are the disease, situation or condition that is not covered by the insurance provider and those medical costs are totally upon the person. Exclusions can be either ‘permanent’ or ‘first year’. Permanent exclusions are never covered whereas the first year exclusions will be hidden from the second year.

Now that you are aware of these terms and before you leave us to buy one, why not compare multiple plans first at www.getmypolicy.online and be sure of making a right decision!

On GetMyPolicy.online, you can compare the plans from leading service providers in Australia and get the best quote, be it for 485 Visa, 489 Visa or student visa. Through this platform, you can purchase the overseas health insurance from Bupa (OVHC & OSHC), Allianz Care (OVHC & OSHC), Ahm (OSHC), Medibank (OSHC & OVHC), and Nib (OSHC).

There are no hidden overheads, just the platform with the most accurate information and hassle-free buying process.

Start navigating now to get the best value at the least price!

When it comes to buying overseas health insurance there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important is whether you should buy individual or couple’s coverage.

This article will discuss some of the major differences between these two types of policies so that you can make an informed decision about what type of overseas health insurance is best for your needs.

What is Couple Overseas Health Insurance?

The idea of private health insurance is to offer you and your partner protection against the costs associated with hospitalization, doctors’ appointments, out-of-hospital medical services like dental care or physiotherapy that aren’t covered by Medicare.

Outsmarting these expenses can be difficult for many people who are on tight budgets. Thus, it’s important not only to have this type of coverage but also to investigate what else might apply to get full value from insurers including the extra cover which offers help paying bills when emergencies arise.

How Does a Couple OSHC Policy Work?

If you’re legally married or in a de facto relationship, then there are two options for couples’ health insurance. One is to take out separate policies and buy them together as partners; the other would be getting one policy that covers both of your needs under this arrangement.

What is Single Overseas Health Insurance?

A single health insurance policy will cover one person instead of multiple people. This means it can be more tailored to the needs and preferences of that specific policyholder, as opposed to needing what benefits parents or spouses may need to maintain their families’ coverage.

What are Hospital Cover & Extras Cover?

Hospital Cover

Hospital insurance is a great way to protect yourself from high medical costs. Hospital policies can cover the cost of treatment when you are admitted as either an in-patient or outpatient, including doctor visits and hospital stays!

• theatre and hospital accommodation fees
• patient meals
• intensive care
• prostheses objects
• diagnostic tests
• drugs, dressings, and other medical supplies

Extras cover

A person with OSHC for Australia with Extras cover will be able to pay for out-of-hospital medical services, such as:

• dental treatment (including dental check-ups)
• optical including eye check-ups, glasses, and contact lenses
• orthodontic treatment
• chiropractic treatment 

For people who question the need for an OSHC cover, a private bed at an Australian hospital with basic medical facilities could cost you as much as 1000 Australian Dollars a day. Too much of a ‘hole in the pocket,’ isn’t it?Answering your question with basic statistics, if an overseas student looks to buy an OSHC, say, for one month, it costs, at an average, approximately AUD 41. (Varies as per the OSHC provider) Therefore, for a two–year course, a person would end up paying close to 1000 AUD. Again, two persons would end up paying 2000 AUD for the same.

However, in case a couples’ OSHC insurance is taken, for the same month taken for individual calculation, it would, at an average end up costing them AUD 250 for a month and as much as 3000 AUD for a year. And, for the similar case as mentioned above, a whopping 6000 AUD for a 2-year course!

Just have a look at what has been highlighted. Do you realize that the insurance covered is the same, for the same number of people – two? Then how come the couples’ insurance is three times the cost of 2 individual student insurances? Conventional thinking, however: Isn’t it economically feasible to buy two such individual OSHC policies? Smart savings, right?

Well, there is a clash of thoughts! As per the Australian home affairs, the OSHC policy for families or couples need not be combined, and each applicant can take out their covers respectively. (Economically simple and feasible, isn’t it?) But keep in mind, that in almost all cases, the department of home affairs doesn’t have anything else to do wrt. Individual/couple insurance as their primary concern is addressed – You have made arrangements for adequate health insurance for your period of stay in Australia.

However, the policies of insurance companies seem to collide with this view of thought. As per them, a couple is not allowed to have dual individual policies. They MUST have the couple’s insurance.

Must Read: Savvy Ways to Compare & Buy the Most Suitable OSHC Policy

There is NO CLEAR REASON for the extreme difference in prices, however. Here are a few possible reasons:

• You might take up two individual policies, but the insurance provider could annul the benefits of the claim on the pretext of a wrong insurance cover.
• The reason for the price difference could be covering pregnancy & infant – treatment costs by the insurance provider. This again collides with a couple who don’t intend to have a baby during their months of study in Australia. In such cases, there would be unwanted high payments.

Must Read: Pregnancy Care in OSHC! Essential Things You Need to Know!

• Even though individual policies are liable to get their visa approved, problems could arise in case of bill clearances. Also, if one of the two members or both visits a doctor, they could still be denied coverage on the pretext of possessing incorrect insurance.
• In the case of individual policies, your dependents are not covered if there is a need for prolonged treatment. This could result in excessive costs being made out of pocket and worse, you wouldn’t even be able to claim for it.

Wrap Up:

Whatever your choice is, we are here to help you. At GetMyPolicy, choose between the best government-registered insurance providers and plans. Also, compare between them, see available features, and know precisely what you pay for. That is not all. Upload your policy and get 15 FREE PTE Practice Tests!

South Australia has unveiled its Skilled Occupation List for 2023-24 (General Skilled Migration program), introducing a Registration of Interest (ROI) system to manage the influx of potential applicants. This system is designed to balance the high demand from individuals residing and working in the state with the limited availability of nomination slots.

Registration of Interest (ROI) Process:

The South Australian Government has transitioned to an ROI process to streamline applications. This implies that aspirants are required to submit an ROI and await an invitation to apply for state nomination from South Australia, prohibiting direct applications for state nomination.

Priority to International Graduates and Temporary Visa Holders:

South Australia is emphasizing the retention of its international graduates and temporary visa holders, prioritizing them under this invitation process. This approach ensures that the state retains a diverse and skilled workforce, contributing to its overall development and growth.

Targeting Experienced Overseas Workers:

The state is actively seeking experienced overseas professionals possessing skills in sectors experiencing high demand in South Australia. Professions within Trades and Construction, Defence, Health, Education, Natural and Physical Science, and Social and Welfare are particularly targeted. These individuals are approached through invitations to apply for South Australian nomination, ensuring the state has access to a pool of skilled and experienced individuals.

For more information on the Skilled Occupation List: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/occupation-lists/south-australia-skilled-occupation-list

Contribution to Fast-Growing Industries:

South Australia is on the lookout for highly skilled overseas workers capable of significantly contributing to the state’s rapidly expanding industries and nationally prioritized projects. The focus is on individuals with experience in the defense industry and those with specialized skills in digital and critical technologies sectors. The inclusion of such skilled individuals is crucial for the state’s progression in these pivotal sectors.

Opportunities for International Graduates and Temporary Visa Holders:

International graduates and other temporary visa holders are evaluated across a wide range of occupations, maintaining consistency with previous years. Moreover, over 290 occupations are available to offshore skilled workers, offering a plethora of opportunities for individuals around the globe.

2023–24 Business Innovation and Investment Program:

Currently, South Australia is not accepting applications for state nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). However, business or investor migrants possessing a provisional visa (subclass 188) are eligible to apply for nomination for the extension stream or permanent visa (subclass 888) in 2023–24, as these are not constrained by a nomination cap.

South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List for 2023-24 and the introduction of the ROI process mark a strategic approach to managing the demand for state nominations. By prioritizing international graduates, temporary visa holders, and experienced overseas workers, South Australia is fostering a diverse and skilled workforce to drive the state’s growth in various high-demand sectors. The opportunities presented by the state are extensive, spanning across numerous occupations and industries, and are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s future landscape.

Application Fees:

For more detailed information regarding application fees and any other associated charges, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to assist you with any queries or clarifications you might need.

Content Courtesy: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/news-events/2023-24-general-skilled-migration-program-now-open