OSHC Coverage and Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide for International Students
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) refers to a type of health insurance specifically designed to help international students in Australia get access to medical care and emergency services.
OSHC coverage helps overseas students meet the costs of medical and hospital care for the duration of their stay. OSHC is a mandatory requirement for most student visa holders in Australia (Visa Subclass 500), so prospective students need to know what it is.
There are numerous benefits to having OSHC coverage beyond the legal requirements which we will outline in this blog.
Key Benefits of OSHC
The key OSHC benefits include in-hospital treatment, out-of-hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, and prescription medication.
OSHC Australia coverage varies between each provider, so read the details of each policy to know what is included as well as the exclusions and limitations.
Exclusions are the medical services that are not included in the OSHC policy. Limitations are services that have caps or limits with the customer responsible for any costs beyond the insurer’s limit.
When looking for an OSHC plan, weigh out the benefits relative to the cost. Lower premiums won’t always be the best choice for you. Take your medical history into consideration because not all insurance plans will cover everything, and you may end up paying more money out of pocket.
Access to Medical Services
Medical services are easily accessible and widespread, with many OSHC-participating clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities available to provide healthcare for international students.
For GP consultations outside of a hospital, policyholders will receive 100% of the benefit listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Policyholders will also receive between 85-100% of the benefits listed in the MBS for telehealth consultations depending on their insurer. Pathology and X-rays also receive between 85-100% of the MBS benefits.
Out-of-hospital services include full or partial coverage for GP and specialist consultations, telehealth services, and X-ray/pathology services. The waiting periods are two months for pre-existing psychiatric conditions and twelve months for pregnancy-related and other pre-existing conditions.
Hospital Care and Accommodation
For in-hospital treatment, OSHC covers you for accommodation, accident and emergency services, outpatient treatment, and doctor services.
If you are admitted to a public hospital, you are covered for a room in a shared ward only, theatre fees, same-day services, and more. You will be covered for 100% of the rate set by the State and Territory health authorities.
All OSHC providers also have agreements with private hospitals. Read your policy to see what private hospitals they have an agreement with and what private hospital cover is included in your policy.
If you go to a private hospital that your insurer does not have an agreement with, you will have to pay the difference between the hospital charges and the default rate for the insurer – which could be a huge amount.
Prescription Medications
When claiming a prescription medication, you must first contribute an amount before your insurer will pay a benefit. This amount will be equivalent to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment amount (which is currently $30). There are also varying up-front costs, per person and family limits, and max benefits per item.
For example, most policies will look something like this:
- Maximum benefit per prescribed item: $50 item limit
- Up-front cost: $30 co-payment
- Limit per person per calendar year: $500 person limit (per annum)
- Limit in total per calendar year: $1000 family limit (per annum)
Pathology and Diagnostic Tests
Essential diagnostic services such as X-rays, blood tests, and other pathology services receive between 85-100% of the MBS benefits, depending on the OSHC policy.
Emergency Services
If you are injured or suddenly become ill, you are 100% covered for emergency treatment at an A&E department. This includes shared ward accommodation and emergency ambulance services as well.
Emergency services are an essential component of OSHC that makes sure international students are looked after while in Australia. All OSHC policies include emergency services and you should read your policy carefully to see what private hospitals, if any, they have agreements with.
Comparing OSHC Providers
The cost of your OSHC will vary depending on the length of your stay and the insurance you select. The best advice is to start researching and budgeting early. Start researching early enough so you don’t have to rush, and you can take your time going over the OSHC policies.
To begin budgeting for your OSHC, you can compare the different providers and policies. Look for a policy that has widespread coverage, a competitive price point, and benefits that are useful to you. Our OSHC Comparison site makes comparing policies easier than ever.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, remember to check whether or not it's covered and if there are any waiting periods under your plan.
To compare the top insurance providers and find the best overseas health cover for you, visit OSHC Australia today and compare the top 6 OSHC providers instantly.
Making the Most of Your OSHC Coverage
OSHC coverage is wide-spanning, including in-hospital treatment, out-of-hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, pathology, diagnostic tests, and prescription medication. However, OSHC does not cover everything and it is up to the insured to take financial responsibility for anything not included in their policy.
OSHC is not only a legal requirement as per condition 8501 of most international student visas, but it’s also important to have for your own financial protection. Access to healthcare is a privilege and having OSHC guarantees that in the event of an accident or emergency, overseas visitors have access to the services they need.
As an international student, you’ve already got a lot to prepare for. Don’t let your OSHC fall under the radar, start comparing now. At OSHC Australia, we offer instant quotes and side-to-side breakdowns of the top OSHC providers with our comparison tool. Make the most out of your cover with OSHC Australia today.
