FAQs Regarding The Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)
What is an Overseas Visitors Health Cover?
Overseas Visitors Health Cover is private insurance that is purchased by the international workers while they are living or working temporarily, in Australia.
Overseas Visitors Cover allows you to be treated in a private hospital, selecting your chosen physician (for services included in your cover). This also provides for visits to GPs when you do not go to hospital and emergency ambulance services.
Extra’s services like dental treatment, contact lenses or glasses, physiotherapy etc. can also be included.
Does the OVHC comply with my visa?
Overseas Visitor Health Insurance can be a compulsory requirement for getting a work visa. OVHC bought from leading service providers is compliant with the visa. Generally, an OVHC plan varies from Budget Working Cover, then come Standard Working and Mid Working Cover and ends with Top working cover.
Who can buy the OVHC?
To buy the OVHC, one needs to be aged 18 years or above and have a valid Australian work or holiday visa.
OVHC is not required for the permanent citizen of Australia who can avail Medicare facility or hold an Australian passport.
What do you mean by the Hospital Cover?
Throughout Australia, medical insurance can be costly if you are unable to access Medicare (the Australian universal health care system). Having a hospital cover offers peace of mind that when you need it, you will get appropriate care (for care that is covered by your insurance). The service depends on the level of Overseas Visitors Cover that you select. The services include but not limited to;
- Accommodation
- OT and Intensive care costs
- Specialist Doctor’s fees
- Prescribed Medicines
- Pregnancy and related services
- Psychiatric and palliative care
- Emergency ambulance services
What are the Extras cover?
Insurance providers allow you to buy extras policies along with your Visitors cover. Depending on your cover, you may able to claim for including but not limited to;
- Dental treatment
- Contact lenses or glasses
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
What is Excess?
The excess is the amount you have to pay for a day’s admission or overnight stay while going to the hospital.
What is a Waiting Period?
You may have to serve a waiting period when you get your Overseas Visitors Plan or upgrade to higher coverage. That is the time you need to wait before you can claim the benefits for which you’re covered.
When you’re in Australia already, your waiting times start on the day your Overseas Visitors Cover begins.
In case you don’t live in Australia at the time of getting your cover, your waiting periods won’t start until you arrive in Australia (and activate your cover). Upon picking your cover and enabling your cover in Australia, the time that you are overseas doesn’t count.
Also, the waiting period varies depending on the treatment you require and if your condition is pre-existing.
You may have to serve a waiting period for;
- In-patient psychiatric rehabilitation- 2 months
- Pre-existing Condition- 12 months
- Pregnancy and related services- 12 months
What is a Pre-existing Condition?
A pre-existing disease or disability is a sickness, or disorder that you had signs or symptoms for at least 6 months before you purchased your Overseas Visitors Cover, or upgraded your plan to a higher level, even if you do not have a diagnosis.
If your diagnosis or disease is unknown, the provider may appoint a medical professional to review your doctor’s records and any other details related to your claim.
Whom can I cover under my policy?
The people who are covered under the OVHC depend on the policy you purchase. Your plan will be one of the following;
Single: You are the single policyholder.
Couple: Covers you and your spouse/de facto partner.
Family: Covers you, your spouse/de facto partner, one or more children aged below 22.
Single Parent Family: Covers you, one or more dependent children aged below 22.
What is Medicare?
For all Australian nationals, Medicare provides a high level of health care. This is funded by the Australian taxation system, which provides people with access to hospital services which reduces health care costs outside hospitals.
Medicare does not cover treatment in private hospitals, emergency ambulances or facilities such as dental and physiotherapy treatments.
If you are an international worker who doesn’t fall under the Reciprocal Healthcare Agree (RHCA) countries, you will require buying an OVHC to receive your visa.
If I have access to Medicare, do I require an OVHC?
When an RHCA covers you while you’re in Australia, you’ll have access to some Medicare facilities, but it’s important to note that Medicare doesn’t provide all health services. For example, an emergency ambulance service is not covered under Medicare. So, it is always recommended to buy Extras according to your needs.
How can I decide which plan is best for me?
Buying overseas health insurance isn’t as easy as it seems because it involves research. If you go wrong with your plan, not only it’s going to jeopardise your treatment but also costs your pocket. The best platform to buy your OVHC can be getmypolicy. This platform provides you with the chance to compare from a wide range of plans from leading service providers and assists you to choose the best.
