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Private health cover confusion


Rosshf

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I'm starting to look at getting some private health cover as we don't get Medicare cover on our visa. However, it seems to operate differently in Oz from the UK, so I have a couple of questions. We would aim to get comprehensive cover and I am particularly keen to ensure that -- having a toddler and a baby -- we have access to a GP. But so far I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere.

Is GP cover standard?

Also, it appears that while you pay a monthly premium, on accessing services you still need to contribute to them i.e. there is a rebate but for the most part it isn't 100%. Is this right?

And finally can anyone recommend a good provider?

 

Thanks

Ross

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Are you a British passport holder? If so then you do qualify for Medicare on almost all visas. Even tourist to some extent. What visa are you coming on?

 

GP cover is not covered by any of the health care plans.

 

Bupa, I found offers the highest cover. But it is expensive. I pay $4200 a year for me and the wife, no children. If you are on a temp visa such as 457, then it is one of the few schemes that offers the tax rebate. But you need to specify visitors cover when you take it out

 

With health cover, it doesn't give anything towards GP visits. These cost about $64 and you get about $28 back via Medicare if you are entitled, which British passport holders normally are.

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Are you a British passport holder? If so then you do qualify for Medicare on almost all visas. Even tourist to some extent. What visa are you coming on?

 

GP cover is not covered by any of the health care plans.

 

Bupa, I found offers the highest cover. But it is expensive. I pay $4200 a year for me and the wife, no children. If you are on a temp visa such as 457, then it is one of the few schemes that offers the tax rebate. But you need to specify visitors cover when you take it out

 

With health cover, it doesn't give anything towards GP visits. These cost about $64 and you get about $28 back via Medicare if you are entitled, which British passport holders normally are.

 

Hi, thanks for the reply.

 

Yes, British passport holder. Visa is a 163 visa, so we only qualify for the reciprocal agreement stuff (urgent medical needs I think).

Wonder if that includes GP Medicare rebate?

The visa info specifically says no Medicare cover -- I guess that means I won't get the 30% government rebate as I believe I won't have to pay the medicare levy on income. So far I've looked at BUPA and Medibank and with the rebate it's around $300 per month for good cover including the kids. Without the rebate it's considerably more.

 

Cheers

Ross

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Hi verystormy

 

In the blurb for the 163 visa it says: "With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme." I took this to mean that I won't get the Oz Medicare benefits, but I could access the reciprocal services if requiring urgent medical attention. I'm guessing there is a gap between the two which will be filled by private cover which will also cover loads of non-medicare services. But I don't really understand it.

 

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The reciprocal agreement means you can claim for anything that an Oz can get other than treatment for pre existing conditions. It's same as 457 holders. And I had surgery and a 5 day hospital stay on it when I was on 457.

 

You will also get the standard fees paid towards doctors visits. In order to get the Medicare rebate you need private health cover as well. Be careful as 99% of health cover funds dont allow people on short term visas such as yours and 457 visas to get it the exception I found was Bupa visitors cover

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The reciprocal agreement means you can claim for anything that an Oz can get other than treatment for pre existing conditions. It's same as 457 holders. And I had surgery and a 5 day hospital stay on it when I was on 457.

 

You will also get the standard fees paid towards doctors visits. In order to get the Medicare rebate you need private health cover as well. Be careful as 99% of health cover funds dont allow people on short term visas such as yours and 457 visas to get it the exception I found was Bupa visitors cover

 

That's very helpful, thanks

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