Sooty and Sweep

The scenario, you have gone and recieved your PR Visa, a great big orange sticker in your passport. You decide to validate the visa rather than take it whole and just go and move without even having a look around.

So on your validation trip you stay for say three weeks in Australia, are you covered by Medicare for those three weeks? If you get ill on your validation trip are you covered should you need to use Medicare.

If so, is there anything you need to do on landing in Australia, so you can use medicare on you validation trip should you need to?

Thanks.

denkar101

Australia and the UK have a reciprocal arrangement re Healthcare.
Applies even if you go for a holiday.
Hope this helps.
Dennis

Sooty and Sweep

If thats the case, regarding my original post, your travel insurance is not required with regards to health cover?

Travel insurance only really required for lost suit cases or delayed departure really?

If you are a PR, then you have Medicare, if you are on hoiliday you are covered by the reciprocal agreement between the UK and Oz?

Sooty

moneypenny20

You still need travel insurance for medical expenses as far I am aware. The reciprocal agreement may not cover getting you back to the UK with medical assistance etc.

Sooty and Sweep

Can someone clarify this for definate?

You are PR, you are on a validation trip, but you are still PR, what is your health cover situation? Are you covered by Medicare, if not why, as you are PR? That was my original question?

Thanks.

Hills Boy

Not sure if this helps. You're right: you are here and you have PR, but unless you're in the Medicare system then they won't know about you.

You have to register with Medicare. You turn up (at a Medicare office), show proof of who you are (UK passport for example), evidence of your PR visa and an Australian address. They give you a temporary card/number (can't remember exactly) and then you receive your Medicare card in the post. I seem to remember Medicare advise that you wait at least a week (could be longer) after you arrive before attempting to register for Medicare - their system needs to be able to tally your details up with the Immigration system (which is updated when you validate your visa) to make sure you are who you say you are.

KVR

Just to note also that Medicare covers you for public hospital only and also excludes things like if you need an ambulance to get you to any hospital.

Swerv-o

You're probably best not registering for Medicare on your validation trip, as that is when the 12 month clock starts ticking in relation to taking up private health insurance. If you register with Medicare on validation, then take more than 12 months to return and take up your residence, you will not be eligible to be treated as a 30 year old when you take up health insurance. If you are older than 30, then you will have to pay a 2% per year over 30 premium if you take up private health insurance after the 12 months.

Does that make sense?


S

ray2gill

Moneypen is right, travel insurance usually covers medivac - repatriation by air ambulance back to your home country with medical attendence.

alipally

I'll 3rd what Moneypen says...

You can use the healthcare system (works the same as in Europe on the E111) as Aussie citizens on hols can use the NHS here. However if you're coming back to the UK you NEED to have Travel insurance, because if you have a terrible accident, or a heart attack, or stroke then you need to have 'repatriation' cover to get you back to the UK... A health care professional and a 1st class seat are expensive if you need it... of course it's your money, and you are at liberty to spend it as you see fit, but you wouldn't catch me travelling without that reassurance!

HTH
Ali x

lesleys

And what if you get ill en route? eg Singapore

Reciprocal cover is for emergencies only, ie not routine visits to GP etc.

alipally

Another good point!

Ali x

ray2gill

There have been numerous incidences on flights where people have been taken ill and have not been covered by medical insurance.

If for instance you have a stroke or heart attach and the nearest airport is Dubai you will be responsible for all medical costs. You will not be allowed to leave the country until they are paid. If you cannot pay them you will go to jail until a benefactor comes to your aid and pays all your outstanding bills.

Melchels

word of warning! I did a validation trip, did not register for Medicare, when I moved over they took my validation trip as the eligible date! so it was only 12 months from the validation trip arrival that I had the age loading waiver for! Medicare is linked into immigration for your arrival date!

Swerv-o

Hmmm. Seems to be mixed messages here. I validated in 2003 and arrived in 2006 - Medicare took my registration date in 2006 as my eligible date for the 12 months for private insurance to begin...


S