medical insurance
May 5th 2008, 1:10 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 36
medical insurance
Hi all
when we arrive in Oz do we have any medical insurance at all..?
what do we get for free (if anything..)
what do we have to get cover for
we are a family of 4, both of the kids will be under 4 when we arrive, if that makes any difference
which is the best company to go to for this cover??
many thanks in advance
ad
when we arrive in Oz do we have any medical insurance at all..?
what do we get for free (if anything..)
what do we have to get cover for
we are a family of 4, both of the kids will be under 4 when we arrive, if that makes any difference
which is the best company to go to for this cover??
many thanks in advance
ad
May 5th 2008, 1:56 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: medical insurance
You will have reciprocal health cover by virtue of being British - that means you can receive treatment for necessary medical events but not things that are pre-existing or elective. The vast majority of Aussies dont get medical cover for free - most of us make a co-payment of about $30 for every (GP) doctor visit and more for specialists. We also have to pay up to $32 for prescriptions for drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
If you are here on a 457 visa then you have more restrictions on what you are entitled to - pretty much just the reciprocal arrangement, hence the requirement for private medical cover. If you have PR then you are covered the same as any Aussie - private medical is optional but you pay a surcharge if you have over a certain income and dont have private cover.
Everyone is going to have their favourite (or least worst) private insurance company but you can input your requirements into Iselect and they will generate the most competitive policies to meet your needs.
If you are here on a 457 visa then you have more restrictions on what you are entitled to - pretty much just the reciprocal arrangement, hence the requirement for private medical cover. If you have PR then you are covered the same as any Aussie - private medical is optional but you pay a surcharge if you have over a certain income and dont have private cover.
Everyone is going to have their favourite (or least worst) private insurance company but you can input your requirements into Iselect and they will generate the most competitive policies to meet your needs.
