Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is designed to support international students moving to Australia for higher studies, in managing their health without burdening themselves with expensive medical bills.

You will get health coverage similar to that of an Australian citizen; however, the coverage will be basic. You can increase the level of your coverage with additional benefits later on.

Now coming to health cover providers, they have different packages and plans at varied prices. Therefore, the following blog will help you understand how to compare and buy the right OSHC policy in Australia.

Why OSHC Is Important For International Students?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is an important visa requirement for international students in Australia. The officials have made it mandatory as it provides them with important healthcare access, ensuring they get the desired medical attention during their stay in the country.

Need of Overseas Student Health Cover
The Department of Home Affairs in Australia ensures every international student has OSHC for their time in the country. However, students from Sweden, Norway, and Belgium are exceptions considering they have their arrangements done under their home country’s healthcare schemes.

Top Providers of OSHC
Nowadays, you will come across many OSHC providers in Australia but are they worth buying from? Not necessarily. We have top providers enlisted below. You can rest assured of getting the best OSHC policy if buying from any of these providers:

•    BUPA
•    NIB
•    Allianz
•    AHM
•    Medibank

What Does OSHC Cover?
Hospital

•    Complete Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Fee for all the medical services offered in the hospital
•    Hospital accommodation for the duration of your treatment or as mentioned in your policy.
•    Emergency ambulance transport from the place of accident or emergency to the hospital.
•    Many in-hospital treatments and surgeries are taken care of.

Out of Hospital Treatment (Doctors)
•    General Practice (GP) visits.
•    Specialist visits.
•    You can include x-rays or blood tests and get up to 85% of the MBS covered.
•    Prescribed medicine by your general practitioner or specialist.

Ambulance
•    As mentioned earlier, you get coverage for emergency ambulance service.
•    If you are receiving on-the-spot medical assistance upon calling an ambulance, you are covered.
•    However, you are not covered for non-emergency ambulance travel.

Prescription Medicines
• You are covered for prescribed medicines however, there is a limit. Such as, you get coverage for $50 per pharmaceutical product to a maximum amount of $300 per year in a single OSHC cover whereas, $600 for a family OSHC cover.
• You must ensure the limit you are being covered for to avoid any misunderstanding later.

What Does OSHC Not Cover?
So far, you read what an OSHC policy covers for you but what does it not cover? Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover you in all types of medical situations. While you get coverage for most medical conditions, you are not covered for some medical treatments. These include:

•    Arranged medical expenses before coming to Australia.
•    You require medical expenses when you are traveling in or out of Australia.
•    Your medical expenses are covered by a court order as compensation.

Understanding Waiting Periods
The waiting period is the time between when you pay for your OSHC cover and when you claim for it. In other words, the time after you paid for your OSHC and before you claim it is known as a waiting period.

However, note the fact that if you are buying a basic OSHC cover, you do not have much waiting time. However, pre-existing conditions have waiting periods, which depend on the provider to provider. For example, if you are going through an illness before entering Australia, you will have to get it included in your OSCH and go through a certain waiting period before claiming coverage.

Approximately, waiting periods are of 12 months, rest you can always verify it with your OSHC provider.

Compare OSHC Today
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is an important requirement that all international students have to abide by and should only enter Australia with it.

If you are looking for an affordable option, look no further than Budget Policy, a place where you can compare and buy OSHC from major providers across Australia.

Get in touch with our experts today and buy the best OSHC for you (and your family).