It's a good idea and required to have health cover if you are moving to Australia on a student visa (subclass 500). The health cover is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It provides important safety for your medical needs while you are in Australia. The following blog will highlight what OSHC covers, where to buy it, and how to maintain it.

What is OSHC?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a specialized health cover intended for international students in Australia. The cover helps you access important medical services.

This includes doctor visits, hospital treatment, emergency care, and more. No matter what medical help you need, OSHC has you covered. Whether it's a GP visit or a hospital stay, you can feel at ease.

What Does OSHC Cover?

There are different coverage options depending on providers however; OSHC typically covers:

· General Practitioner visits and doctor consultations. These could be routine visits and general consultations.

· Hospital care, where both public and private hospitals provide in-patient care.

· Emergency ambulance services for those in critical situation.

· Hospitals performing emergency operations and medical treatments.

· OSHC covers limited prescription medication.

· OSHC covers pathology services, including X-rays and blood tests.

Where to Buy OSHC?

Here are the top OSHC providers in Australia:

BUPA

BUPA is Australia’s one of the most reputable and top providers. With BUPA OSHC, you can get medical benefits in emergency as well as non-emergency situations. As a BUPA member, you can rest assured that your fees will receive 100% coverage. However, you should always crosscheck with your provider.

NIB

NIB is the second most popular OSHC provider in Australia. It offers the right coverage for your visa and health needs. With vast options of plans and unique benefits, you can never go wrong with NIB OSHC.

Allianz Care

Allianz Care in Australia offers the right health coverage for you. It also gives you access to a large network of health professionals across the country. So, you can have peace of mind in regards to health during your stay.

Medibank

Medibank is another popular health cover provider in Australia. With over 40 years in the industry, they know your health needs and budget. They work hard to meet them fully.

AHM

AHM provides health cover that meets your health needs during your stay in the country. You can choose your Overseas Student Health Cover from the unique plans they offer.

How to Maintain Your OSHC?

You should maintain your OSHC to ensure that you cover important medical services. Following are some practical tips:

· Primarily, keep yourself updated about when your OSHC is being expired. Accordingly, renew it to avoid coverage lapses.

· Keep your provider’s details updated to prevent from complications at the time policy claims.

· Make sure you understand waiting periods for the coverage you have bought.

· Choose only top and reputable providers - BUPA, nib, Allianz Care, Medibank, and AHM for buying OSHC.

· Make sure your provider has easy claims processes.

Conclusion

The importance OSHC is very much, especially for international students who come to Australia for higher studies. You can compare and choose OSHC from top providers like BUPA, NIB, Medibank, Allianz Care, and AHM. This choice depends on your healthcare needs and budget.

Seek professional help from budget Policy - your trusted partner in comparing and choosing best OSHC in Australia. Our experts will analyze your needs and help you buy the suitable cover.

Get in touch with us today!