Why Overseas Student Health Cover is Essential for International Students in Australia

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2024-10-16

Have you ever wondered what it takes to buy an adequate health cover in Australia? For a fact, we know that as an international student it is important to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for getting the necessary medical attention and treatment during your study course, if needed. Because, all international students are required to have an OSHC as a mandatory visa requirement by the officials.

OSHC aims to support international students in terms of healthcare and medical treatments for the duration of their stay in the country. Australia has an expensive yet best healthcare system in the world. Thus, to ensure everyone regardless of the financial situation, gets the most of the Australian healthcare while being in the country.

Now coming to OSHC plans, these could vary in terms of cost, coverage, waiting periods, claim process, etc. therefore, to understand every aspect of OSHC in Australia and most importantly, its essence, we have jotted down this guide for you.

Why OSHC is Essential for International Students?

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is essential for international students studying in Australia for many reasons, some of which are enlisted below:

·         Throughout the course of your study, OSHC ensures access to important medical services including doctor visits, emergency ambulance services, etc.

·         Various medical services are covered under Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), such as:

a.       Doctor consultations or visits

b.       Hospital accommodation

c.       Emergency ambulance services

d.       Immediate medical care

·         Australia's medical expenses are quite high therefore; OSHC helps cover the unforeseen cost without burdening you with hefty medical bills.

·         Without having a right health cover, you can end up paying out of your pocket that can drain you financially.

·         It is a mandatory visa requirement ensuring health insurance standards in Australia.

·         Protects your health while you focus on your studies.

What are the OSHC Coverage Types?

You can buy an adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from top providers in Australia such as:

·         BUPA

·         NIB

·         Medibank

·         AHM

·         Allianz Care

You can compare and choose the best plan according to your needs and budget as well as go through different levels of coverage. The basic and general level of coverage of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) includes:

·         Doctor consultations

·         Hospital accommodation

·         Prescription medicines

·         Emergency ambulance services

Other than basic coverage, you can also add additional medical services which are not covered otherwise. Extras include dental care, optical care, physiotherapy, and more. However, ensure the more services are included, higher the price.

OSHC is categorized in three different categories - singles, couples, and family. Buy the one that best fits with your needs so you do not have to pay out of your pocket and burden yourself with expensive medical treatments. For OSHC comparison, you can visit Budget Policy – your trusted partner for helping you choose the best health cover.

What are the Key Features of OSHC?

·         Comprehensive Coverage: Hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medicines, and emergency ambulance services are covered under the basic level of OSHC. Ensure this coverage is included in your OSHC plan.

·         Emergency Services: You must be covered for emergency medical services whenever needed for the duration of your stay in the country.

·         Waiting Periods: Before buying the coverage, make sure to know about waiting periods, if any. The time gap is the period between the start date of your OSHC and the day you can claim its benefits. It is important to know these timelines.

·         Extras: Some medical treatments such as dental, optical, or physiotherapy are generally not covered therefore; you must know this before or include them, if needed.

·         Renewability: Keep a check on your OSHC status. As soon as it is about to expire, get it renewed from your provider or if you want to make a switch, you must do it on time.

Key Takeaways

We hope the blog helped you understand OSHC in Australia better. If you want to buy OSHC and are looking for the right source, get in touch with Budget Policy. We are your trusted partners in helping you compare and choose the best plans.