Health Insurance for International Students

An Overview

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires all international students on student visas and their families (on 'dependant' visas)  to have adequate health cover during their stay in Australia. This is referred as the Overseas Student Health Cover.

The cost of your initial OSHC was included in your fees deposit.This payment will provide you with cover for the first 12 months starting on the day you arrive to Australia.  The ANU preferred OSHC provider is OSHC Worldcare .

However, if you have been studying in Australia prior to attending the ANU and already have current OSHC, please contact

OVERSEAS STUDENT HEALTH COVER

WHAT IS OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is insurance that provides cover for the costs of medical and hospital care which international students may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for most prescription drugs, other medical services such as radiology and pathology and emergency ambulance transport.

The list below includes the names of health funds approved to provide OSHC to international students:

1. OSHC Worldcare,
2. Medibank Private,
3. BUPA OSHC, and
4. Australian Health Management.

ANU’s preferred provider of OSHC is OSHC Worldcare, however, you may choose whichever OSHC provider that is best suited to your needs. The university can only arrange OSHC on your behalf with OSHC Worldcare. For more information about the other providers visit http://www.health.gov.au

WHY DO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NEED OSHC?
International students are not eligible for Medicare, the Australian government’s public health insurance system.

Additionally, it is your student visa condition (Condition 8501) that you and your family members (your spouse and children under 18 years old) must have OSHC during your time in Australia.

Students without current OSHC are in breach of their student visa condition and may risk having their student visa cancelled by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR OSHC?
You are eligible for OSHC if you are:

1. the holder of a student visa; or
2. a person who:
1. is an applicant for a student visa; and
2. is the holder of a relevant bridging visa.

A spouse or legally recognised de facto partner and/or dependant children under the age of 18 years of a student will be covered on OSHC as long as the policy is for a family plan and they hold appropriate visas.

Exception:

1. Norwegian students are covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme; or
2. Swedish students are covered by CSN International (the National Board of Student Aid), or by Kammarkollegiet.
3. (Note: OSHC is available to Swedish nationals if they require it)
4. New Zealand citizens not on a student visa should visit:  http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ to ascertain you eligibility for Medicare Services

PAYING YOUR OSHC

Students are required to pay for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) when they accept their ANU offer.

If you have been studying in Australia prior to attending the ANU and already have OSHC and need the OSHC requirement to be waived, sufficient documentation (current certificate of insurance) must be provided when paying your acceptance fees.

OSHC RENEWAL
Renewing your OSHC is very IMPORTANT!

Your first cover is usually arranged for 12 months. Students are responsible for renewing OSHC before it expires. You can renew your OSHC online at :
http://info.anu.edu.au/studyat/International_Office/student_life/_oshcpayment.asp

or visit the International Education Office to fill a paper renewal form.

Note: If you are a sponsored student having your OSHC covered by your scholarship, you are responsible for renewing your OSHC. The OSHC renewal cost will be forwarded to your sponsor.

PROGRAM LENGTH COVER (PLC)
PLC is OSHC that covers you for the duration of your program of study in Australia. By having PLC, you do not need to renew your OSHC each year.

Also, OSHC Worldcare offers discounts in premiums for policies over 12 months duration. By having PLC, you are protected from future OSHC premium increases and ultimately will pay less for OSHC for the whole of your program duration.

WHAT OSHC DOES NOT COVER
Your standard OSHC does not pay for services provided by physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths or any other ancillary services. Dentist or optician charges are not covered by your OSHC. 

EXTRAS COVER
However, an affordable and tailored extras cover is available under the OSHC Worldcare Student Plus. For more information, please contact oshc@peoplecare.com.au or 1300 733 676.
For other insurance companies you can use please visit

BENEFITS PAYABLE 

Out of Hospital Services

1. Most general practitioner services are covered by your OSHC. However, practitioners are able to charge fees which are higher than the scheduled rates for the services they provide. Please ask before your appointment how much the cost will be.
2. Pathology and radiology services. OSHC may not cover 100% costs of these services. Benefit amount is 85% as listed in MBS and you may be asked to pay the co-payment.

In Hospital Services – Public Hospitals
Medical services such as same day services, accident and emergency and outpatient medical and post-operative services provided by a public hospital is 100% covered. Hospitalisation cost in a public hospital is 100% covered on the condition that patient admitted in shared ward hospital accommodation. Benefit amount (Schedule fee) is 100% as determined by State and Territory health authorities for services charged to a non Australian resident.

In Hospital Services – Private Hospitals
OSHC will contribute benefits towards treatment and shared ward accommodation, however, you may have to pay for any difference between the charges and the schedule fee.

Emergency Ambulance Transport
You are covered for 100% of the ambulance transportation charge:

1. When the services are medically necessary for admission to hospital OR
2. For emergency treatment.

Non emergency use is not covered.

Prescription Medicines
You are covered for prescription only if the medicines are prescribed and dispensed by a registered practitioner.

Your OSHC will pay expenses exceeding the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) patient contribution ($31.30) up to $50 per prescription item.
This means that you need to pay the first $31.30 and then OSHC will cover the extra amount. The maximum benefit payable per calendar year is $300 for Single plan and $600 for Family plan.

HOW TO CLAIM

Online
Go to www.oshcworldcare.com.au and follow the step by step instructions to submit a claim. The original invoices and receipts need to be posted to:
OSHC Worldcare
Locked Bag 3001
Toowong Queensland
Australia 4066

By Post
Collect a claim form from the International Education Office or download from www.oshcworldcare.com.au. Complete and send the form with original invoices and receipts to OSHC Worldcare.

Cash Claims
This service is available on campus to process claims under $75.00. Please contact Worldcare Client Represenatative on campus by e-mail:

actcsr@worldcare.com.au

Any claim enquiries can be directed to OSHC Worldcare at 1800 651 349

General Enquiries
For more information, please feel free to contact

ANU OSHC Officer
T: +61 2 6125 5699
E : oshc@anu.edu.au

OSHC Worldcare
ANU Client Service Representative
E: actcsr@worldcare.com.au

Member Services
T: 13 67 42
E: oshc@worldcare.com.au

Online Information
www.oshcworldcare.com.au

Information Sheet:

OSHC.pdf

The Australian Health Care System.pdf

Health Cover for AusAID students

If you are an AusAID sponsored student, you will not need to pay OSHC yourself, however, if you are bringing your family to Australia, please discuss your Family OSHC with your AusAID Liaison Officer.

Related Link:

External Links

OSHC Worldcare

Department Health and Ageing

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

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