Understanding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for Australia

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2024-03-15

In Australia, all international students are required to include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in their visa application. The health cover typically covers students’ medical expenses such as general practitioner visits, prescription medicines, emergency ambulance services, and more.

Now you must be thinking about why OSHC is important. The Australian authorities have made it an important requirement to consider the well-being of international students in a foreign country, away from their native places.
Therefore, with OSHC, you can live with peace of mind knowing that your health and well-being are taken care of. Still, have doubts? Continue reading the blog to know more about OSHC in Australia.

Why OSHC in Australia is Important?
Overseas Student Health Cover is health insurance for all international students and their family members or spouses (if any) in Australia. Everyone has to buy it with their visa other than Norwegian, Swedish or Belgian people. OSHC helps take care of medical and hospital expenses that might occur during the stay in the country. Therefore, other than a mandatory visa requirement, OSHC eases your financial situation hence it is important.

What role does OSHC play in an International Student’s Life?
OSHC plays a bigger role than just meeting Australian visa requirements. It helps in covering the medical and hospital expenses that would otherwise be expensive or more than the budget one has. And with, illness, accidents, etc. happening anytime, anywhere, and to anyone, you cannot compromise your health and well-being in a place where it costs a fortune to get medical services.

What does OSHC cover?
Hospital
OSHC takes care of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) prices for hospitalized medical treatments completely that includes, including blood tests, X-rays, and appointments with doctors, surgeons, specialists, and anesthetists. Further, it covers the expenses of hospital accommodations, emergency medical services, accident, and outpatient care that is provided on the same day. You also get complete reimbursement of all your expenses for hospital accommodations or overnight stay in private hospitals but, there is a condition that these expenses are covered in your OSHC policy. Lastly, you can also get coverage for surgery for artificial joints including hip replacements and the like. However, the amount to be covered will be only to the extent allowed by the Federal Government's Prostheses List - human tissues, pacemakers, eyeglasses, hip and knee replacements, and much more. Hospital expenses are skyrocketing in Australia; therefore, you must speak with your OSHC provider about what is covered in your policy before receiving any medical attention in the country.

Ambulance

Medical emergencies are unpredictable i.e., they can happen anywhere, at any time, and can be quite expensive. With a recognized OSHC provider in Australia, you can get coverage for emergency ambulance services, hospital care, or on-the-spot emergency medical attention through your OSHC policy.

Prescription Medicines
The next medical service you are covered for in your OSHC policy is prescription medicines. These medicines must be prescribed by your doctor and authorized before you can purchase them.

What is a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition, as its name suggests, is a medical condition or pertaining problem that you had before entering Australia, or even buying your OSCH policy. To ensure you are covered for your pre-existing condition, you must consult with your provider. Because pre-existing coverage varies so, you must cross-check and include in your policy if it does not cover you for the same.

What is a waiting period?
A waiting period is a bridge between the time you buy your policy and the time you claim its benefits. Note that, there are different waiting periods depending on the policy you buy or the condition you are covered for. See the following examples -
•    You will have to wait for up to 2 months to claim for medical conditions related to psychiatry.
•    You will have to wait for up to 12 months to claim for all pregnancy and birth-related medical services as well as pre-existing conditions.

Summary
Looking to buy the best Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia? Your search ends with Budget Policy – an online platform where you can compare and buy OSHC plans from major providers BUPA, NIB, AHM, Allianz, and Medibank across Australia.

You can also save up to 47% on OSHC and get up to a $100 gift card on eligible products or a 1-week free PTE voucher.
Wait no more and contact our experts today!