Tonyonthemove

I have seen a few threads on the subject of getting private medical insurance while awaiting PR if you are in the 2 year limbo phase as a spouse/defacto, but couldn't find a definitive answer.

I have phoned many companies who said they wouldn't cover me without first being a resident. I finally managed to get mine at the eleventh hour (I'm over 30 and have been here 11months). Basically all you need is to get a letter of 'Medical Eligibility' from Medicare, which shows that you have full Medicare entitlement - as long as you have got your 'Interim' card. Private Health Insurance companies should take this in leiu of not having PR yet.

If you are over 30 without private health cover you get a 2% insurance loading for every year that you don't take it. This amount will be locked once you finally get insurance for ever (i.e. wait 4 years over the age of 30 there will be an 8% loading EVERY year from then on). The good news is if you are a new arrival over 30, you get 1 years grace to take out insurance without penalty.