Every day, we receive questions about healthcare in Australia. The country has a similar system to Brazil. O MEDICARE is public, but not accessible to international students. In order to guarantee visa approval, the government requires the hiring of OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover).
O OSHC works like a medical insurance plan. The contracted company covers part of the costs related to health services, such as consultations, medication and even emergencies.
If the student comes with dependents (children or spouse)The policy must be extended to them and be valid until the end of the visa.
The conditions for compulsory insurance are:
*Have a student visa
*Have a current student visa application
*Be on a Bridging Visa
*Be on a student visa before migrating to a Bridging Visa
Coverage and Services
The OSHC should cover doctor's appointments, hospital care, ambulance and a variety of medicines. Some insurers also offer discounts and services in partnership with other companies (such as movie tickets, shopping vouchers, etc.).
Plans must cover this:
*The benefit quoted in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee
*MBS fee for inpatients (in the case of surgery, for example)
*Bed in shared room in public hospitals
*Bed in a shared room in private hospitals (find out which hospitals have a contract with your OSHC)
*Accommodation for the day of surgery
*Some prosthetic models
*Up to AUD$ 50 per pharmaceutical item (a maximum of AUD$ 300 per year and AUD$ 600 for a family membership)
ATTENTIONThe cost of treatments that require constant medication, such as cancer, can be high. Bear in mind the coverage of your plan before taking it out.
Expiration date
Students need to be aware of the waiting periods before moving to Australia. Insurance may impose a waiting period for some treatments, if necessary:
*In the first year, there are pre-existing illnesses, disabilities or pregnancy
*Pre-existing psychiatric conditions during the first 2 months of the contract (from the day the student arrives in the country)
Service and Payments
The student's first consultation should be with a General Practitioner. The doctor will then analyze the symptoms and, if necessary, recommend that the patient contact the relevant specialist. The consultation is also necessary because of medical prescriptions (some medicines, such as antibiotics, are only sold with a prescription).
Emergency situations should be directed to "000". The center will forward the request to the service responsible (Police, Ambulance or Fire Department).
There is the option of paying for the services/consultations and then applying for reimbursement or the client can send the bill directly to the insurance company (common in cases of hospitalization). If the clinic offers Bulk Billing, the student passes on all their details and the office sends the bill to the contracted OSHC.
Step by step
Before making an appointment, contact your plan (via app, phone or by going to one of their offices) and check which partner clinic is closest to you. Then schedule your appointment with the center of your choice (many accept "walk-ins").
Don't forget to tell the receptionists about your health insurance. Depending on the partnership/clinic, the discount happens directly with the OSHC. If you need to be reimbursed on account, don't forget to ask for the payment slip. The document contains details of the clinic, the doctor who provided the care, the professional's registration number, ABN and address.
With everything in hand, you have a few options (check which is best with your plan):
APP
*Just scan the required documents and send them to the insurance company
*You will need to scan the necessary documents and send them to the OSHC
Letter
*On some occasions, you will need to send an envelope to the health insurance company with all the documents required for reimbursement.
In person
*Most health companies have offices in shopping malls. With your documents in hand, pay them a visit and let them know you want to apply for a refund.
Cases of hospitalization/surgeries/ambulance are similar. You pay for the service and, when you receive a receipt for the services rendered, you contact the OSHC.
It's worth remembering that, in most cases, the reimbursement NO corresponds to the total value of the service.
For more information, visit your provider's website - many offer content in Portuguese.
Source: Department of Health
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