You know, anyone can get sick, and it doesn't need to always happen from nine to five. Getting sick is in no one’s control.
Now, you might think, what should you do if you or someone in your family is sick? And the worst part is your doctor’s office is closed.

You do not have to rush to Google for the answers. Give it a break to Dr. Google. There are better ways to get doctor’s assistance during unusual hours.

Your overseas student health cover or visitor’s cover must include after-hours coverage. If not, then it is high time you should include it.

Further, what services you can get depends on the kind of policy you purchase. We will know about it later in this blog.

What is After-Hours Care?

Never consider seeing a doctor after their normal office hours as the same as seeing your doctor routinely or for an emergency. If your illness or condition can wait until your doctor's working hours, you must wait and book an early appointment.
However, if you are in a situation, that cannot be waited until the next day, you must go for an after-hour doctor visit.

Now coming to the concept of ‘after-hours doctor visits’. After-hours appointments are for patients with urgent health problems that might occur out of the blue.

For example, below are a few times when you might need to see a doctor in an emergency:
•    If your baby has a fever or is throwing up
•    If someone at your home caught an infection like tonsillitis or the flu
•    If they are dealing with a stomach problem like gastroenteritis, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Therefore, if there is a need for you to see a doctor and it is something that cannot wait until tomorrow, after-hours appointments are the best option.

Private Health Insurance Providing After-Hours Care: A Big Deal?

After-hours care provided by private health insurance involves medical attention or consultations received outside of the usual operating hours of the doctors. This can be highly beneficial for people with busy schedules, sudden illnesses, or situations where immediate help is needed.
With private health insurance offering after-hours care, you get access to:

•    24/7 Medical Assistance: This is useful when your regular health care provider is unavailable or when you are unable to visit during normal hours.
•    Specialist Services: In some cases, you need a specialist, not a general practitioner. This is where; your insurance can cover the cost of the specialist's after-hours services.
•    Flexibility in Schedules: For working individuals and those with family responsibilities, the scheduling for doctor visits outside of regular office hours becomes difficult. With the after-hours care, it becomes simple.

So, does your overseas visitor or overseas student health cover provide after-hours care? If not, it might be time to reconsider your plan. Check with your insurer to understand the specifics of your after-hours coverage.

Private Health Insurance Providing After-Hours Care: Your Shield against Uncertainties
The importance of having a private health insurance plan in Australia should never be underestimated. It is the best defense you can get to avoid unexpected expensive medical costs. However, having an OSHC or OVHC policy that also covers after-hours care adds an extra layer of security. This helps you to be stress-free in emergencies.

To ensure you are making the right choice, always do an OSHC or OVHC comparison from different insurances. One thing you can consider is to look for plans that emphasize providing after-hours care, among other benefits.

Conclusion
Investing in private health insurance providing after-hours care is living proof of the old saying – ‘better safe than sorry’. Its advantage is to provide you timely medical attention you need, without affecting your life savings. And how can we forget about the most important factor, peace of mind? You can sleep well knowing that you are covered for any emergency that life puts you in.

Remember, to keep exploring your options. Do not settle for the first plan you come across. Compare top providers carefully and choose the one that fits best with your situation. You can always come to us – Budget Policy, a platform where you can find all major providers from Australia with the best deals out there.
Get in touch with us today!