Lana Oconnell
Bupa is a trusted name in health insurance, serving millions of people worldwide. In Australia, Bupa offers Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students and visitors. Bupa's OSHC policy covers accommodation costs for hospital stays, accident and emergency services, outpatient and post-operative care, ambulance services, prescription medicines, and more. Bupa's OVHC and OSHC plans are designed to meet visa requirements and provide peace of mind for international students and visitors in Australia, ensuring they have comprehensive health coverage during their stay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | International students on a subclass 500 visa for full-time study in Australia |
| What does it cover? | Hospital stays, accident and emergency services, outpatient and post-operative care, ambulance services, doctor's visits, prescription medicines, specialist services, pathology tests, X-rays, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, surgically implanted prosthetics |
| What else does Bupa offer? | Digital health services like 24/7 online doctors and chemist delivery, a Member Rewards program offering retail, entertainment, travel, fitness and wellness benefits, continuous coverage assurance, a seamless transition process between different visa covers, access to a global network of doctors for virtual appointments |
| How is it accessed? | Through the myBupa app or by contacting the Bupa Overseas Student support team |
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What You'll Learn
Bupa's Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Bupa's OSHC covers all accommodation costs for hospital stays, including operating theatre, intensive care, and labour ward fees. It also covers accident and emergency services in public hospitals and some agreement-only private hospitals. Outpatient and post-operative care costs, including ambulance services, are also covered, with 100% Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for doctor services. Bupa's OSHC also covers prescription medications up to $50 per item with a $30 co-payment.
To minimise out-of-pocket expenses, it is recommended to locate a doctor with a direct billing agreement with Bupa. This way, you may only need to pay a small out-of-pocket amount, if anything at all. Alternatively, you can opt for a doctor without a direct billing agreement, but you will need to pay the full treatment cost upfront and submit a claim to Bupa for reimbursement later.
Bupa International members can access various digital health services, including 24/7 online doctors and chemist delivery through Blua. However, yearly service limits apply to these digital services. It is important to note that there may be a waiting period of up to 12 months after arriving in Australia before claiming certain expenses. To access your health cover at hospitals and clinics, you will need to present your OSHC membership card, which can be accessed through the myBupa app.
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Hospital treatments
Bupa's Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory insurance policy for international students holding subclass 500 visas for full-time study in Australia. OSHC provides comprehensive health coverage, including hospital treatments, ensuring students can access quality healthcare when needed.
In addition to emergency care, Bupa OSHC covers outpatient and post-operative care costs, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other allied health services provided in hospitals. Bupa also covers the costs of surgically implanted prostheses, in accordance with the Australian Government's List of Medical Devices and Human Tissue Products.
To access Bupa OSHC benefits, students must present their valid OSHC membership card at hospitals and clinics. Bupa recommends locating doctors with a direct billing agreement to minimise out-of-pocket expenses. Alternatively, students can pay for treatment upfront and submit medical receipts to Bupa for reimbursement of up to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee.
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Doctor's visits
International students in Australia who hold a subclass 500 visa for full-time study are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Bupa is one of six approved providers of OSHC mandated by the Australian government.
Bupa's OSHC covers doctor's visits, including specialist services, and provides access to a range of digital health services like 24/7 online doctors and chemist delivery with Blua. There is also a 24-hour Student Advice Line that can provide support in 180 languages and assistance with a range of emergency situations.
Bupa OSHC covers 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for standard face-to-face and telehealth doctor consultations. The MBS fee is a set fee for each medical service in Australia. To minimise out-of-pocket expenses, it is recommended that students locate a doctor with a direct billing agreement with Bupa. With such an agreement in place, students will either pay nothing or a small out-of-pocket amount, rather than paying the full cost of treatment upfront and then claiming reimbursement.
Bupa's OSHC also covers the costs of ambulance and emergency services, including accident and emergency services in public hospitals and some agreement-only private hospitals. It covers all accommodation costs of a hospital stay, including operating theatre, intensive care, and labour ward fees. It also covers prescription medicines up to $50 per item with a $30 co-payment.
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Ambulance services
International students in Australia who hold a subclass 500 visa are required to have health insurance with an approved provider, such as Bupa. Bupa's Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) offers ambulance cover for emergency ambulance services, including air services, provided by recognised ambulance providers in the state that the student is in.
Bupa recognises the following ambulance providers: Ambulance Service of NSW, Ambulance Queensland Ambulance Service, South Australia Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance NT, St John Ambulance Service WA, Ambulance Service Tasmania, and Ambulance Victoria. Bupa OSHC covers emergency ambulance transportation services or on-the-spot treatment anywhere in Australia with a Bupa-recognised provider. Emergency ambulance services will be covered only when medically necessary for hospital admission or for any condition requiring immediate emergency treatment.
It is important to note that Bupa OSHC does not cover non-emergency transportation from a hospital to the patient's home, a nursing home, or another hospital. Additionally, Royal Flying Doctor Services are not included in the cover. Bupa also offers Premium Ambulance cover, which includes non-emergency ambulance trips up to $5,000 per person per calendar year.
For international students, it is essential to understand the specifics of their Bupa OSHC policy, including any waiting periods and out-of-pocket expenses. They should also carry their OSHC membership card and photo ID to ensure that their ambulance expenses can be billed to their OSHC provider.
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Digital health services
Bupa's Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides international students with access to a range of digital health services. These services are designed to meet the needs of students studying abroad and offer convenience and flexibility in managing their healthcare.
One of the key digital health services offered by Bupa is 24/7 online access to doctors. This allows students to connect with medical professionals at any time, providing peace of mind and ensuring they can receive timely advice and treatment. Bupa's digital platform, Blua, enables students to access these services and offers additional features such as chemist delivery. With yearly service limits, international students can rely on convenient access to healthcare professionals and medication.
The myBupa app is another integral component of Bupa's digital health services. Available on Android and iOS devices, the app provides students with a digital membership card, eliminating the need to carry a physical card. Through the app, students can easily manage their cover, update their information, and access their health insurance details on the go. This level of accessibility ensures that students can efficiently utilise their health cover without the hassle of paperwork.
Furthermore, Bupa offers international students digital tools to make medical or hospital claims. Claims can be made online through the myBupa portal or via the mobile app. Alternatively, students can visit a Bupa store or submit a claim form by post. The availability of multiple options ensures that students can choose the most convenient method for their needs. Additionally, Bupa provides a dedicated overseas student support team that can be contacted during business hours for assistance in a range of situations, including medical and property inquiries.
Bupa's digital health services extend beyond convenience and include access to wellbeing resources. International students can benefit from wellbeing articles, tips, and advice to support their overall health. Through the MembersWorld app, students can access 24/7 virtual consultations, ensuring they receive timely guidance and support for their health-related queries. With Bupa's digital health services, international students can feel empowered to take control of their health and well-being during their studies abroad.
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Frequently asked questions
Bupa's OSHC is a mandatory health insurance policy for international students in Australia. It covers various medical services, including hospital stays, doctor's visits, ambulance services, prescription medicines, and more.
Bupa OSHC is designed for international students on a subclass 500 visa in Australia. It is a mandatory requirement for all overseas students holding this type of visa and must be maintained for the entire duration of their studies in the country.
Bupa OSHC covers a range of medical expenses, including accommodation costs for hospital stays, accident and emergency services, outpatient and post-operative care, ambulance services, prescription medicines (with a co-payment), and doctor consultations. It also provides access to digital health services, such as 24/7 online doctors and chemist delivery.
