Health insurance
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 23
Health insurance
We are currently in regional Qld on a 457 visa and would like to take out private health insurance. We have been told as we are not permanent residents the only option we have for full hospital and extra cover is visitors insurance however, when getting a price for a couple, costs are $400 per month. Unaffordable! We receive reciprical rights under Medicare with being from the UK so we didn't have to get the insurance for the visa process. We would like this with being rural and health services being very minimal and costly where we are, especially if we start a family in the future.
We apparently could take a standard policy available to permanent residents but then they dont cover hospital admissions only extras and medicare can then apparantly refuse to pay the gap. From the quotes and information we have, there doesn't appear to be any benefit to taking out a policy whatsoever. Basically - use the medicare system. Just wondering what other peoples experiences are of this? Thanks
We apparently could take a standard policy available to permanent residents but then they dont cover hospital admissions only extras and medicare can then apparantly refuse to pay the gap. From the quotes and information we have, there doesn't appear to be any benefit to taking out a policy whatsoever. Basically - use the medicare system. Just wondering what other peoples experiences are of this? Thanks
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,217
Re: Health insurance
Er... I was told I HAD to take out private medical to get a 457 Visa, then get Medicare once in Oz.
I had no choice but to sign up. Bit confused.
I had no choice but to sign up. Bit confused.
#3
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Re: Health insurance
We are currently in regional Qld on a 457 visa and would like to take out private health insurance. We have been told as we are not permanent residents the only option we have for full hospital and extra cover is visitors insurance however, when getting a price for a couple, costs are $400 per month. Unaffordable! We receive reciprical rights under Medicare with being from the UK so we didn't have to get the insurance for the visa process. We would like this with being rural and health services being very minimal and costly where we are, especially if we start a family in the future.
We apparently could take a standard policy available to permanent residents but then they dont cover hospital admissions only extras and medicare can then apparantly refuse to pay the gap. From the quotes and information we have, there doesn't appear to be any benefit to taking out a policy whatsoever. Basically - use the medicare system. Just wondering what other peoples experiences are of this? Thanks
We apparently could take a standard policy available to permanent residents but then they dont cover hospital admissions only extras and medicare can then apparantly refuse to pay the gap. From the quotes and information we have, there doesn't appear to be any benefit to taking out a policy whatsoever. Basically - use the medicare system. Just wondering what other peoples experiences are of this? Thanks
#4
Re: Health insurance
I am wondering if OP means 475 visa as they mention regional Queensland and not having to get insurance for the visa process?
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,217
Re: Health insurance
You are probably correct, they seem to be here already..
#6
Re: Health insurance
It might have just been a slack CO but I remember someone posting that they just put down "repicrocal agreement" on their 457 visa app and that was accepted as meeting the medical requirement. They specifically said they didn't get any, even for arrival.
#7
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Health insurance
They were lucky I think; unless they were already in Australia and Medicare registered. The idea is that the applicant needs to get cover until they arrive and register with Medicare.
#8
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 23
Re: Health insurance
Its a 457 visa we're here on, sponsored by a company. We've been here since September and didn't have to have medical insurance for the visa process. That's interesting to hear most people have had to prove they had insurance even under reciprocal rights. We've certainly found companies which provide it but I am astonished at how expensive this is per month ($400) and I'm not quite sure how beneficial it would be when we would already get medicare cover. we did however have an annual travel insurance policy with being frequent travellers so maybe that's what got us through the visa stage.
Last edited by katdan28; May 12th 2012 at 6:40 am.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,217
Re: Health insurance
Its a 457 visa we're here on, sponsored by a company. We've been here since September and didn't have to have medical insurance for the visa process. That's interesting to hear most people have had to prove they had insurance even under reciprocal rights. We've certainly found companies which provide it but I am astonished at how expensive this is per month ($400) and I'm not quite sure how beneficial it would be when we would already get medicare cover. we did however have an annual travel insurance policy with being frequent travellers so maybe that's what got us through the visa stage.
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 23
Re: Health insurance
which company is that? Does that include any extras or just hospital? Are you on a visitors policy?
#11
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Health insurance
Its a 457 visa we're here on, sponsored by a company. We've been here since September and didn't have to have medical insurance for the visa process. That's interesting to hear most people have had to prove they had insurance even under reciprocal rights. We've certainly found companies which provide it but I am astonished at how expensive this is per month ($400) and I'm not quite sure how beneficial it would be when we would already get medicare cover. we did however have an annual travel insurance policy with being frequent travellers so maybe that's what got us through the visa stage.