Bupa is a healthcare leader in New Zealand and Australia. Globally, Bupa has 18.5 million health insurance customers. Bupa offer a broad range of services including aged care and retirement, dental, optical, health insurance and community wellbeing initiatives, to improve the health of Australians. Overseas Student Health Cover is one of the insurance policies that Bupa offer.
General Overview of Bupa Overseas Student Health Cover
Bupa OSHC provides health insurance cover for the 500 Student Visa while you are studying in Australia.
This benefits of taking out OSHC with Bupa include:
- Meet visa requirements
- No mental health benefit waiting periods – access to psychiatric treatment and mental health benefits on your cover
- Protect yourself from the unexpected
- Convenience – you have the choice of where and when you’d like to be treated at Members First and Network Hospitals
- Unlimited Emergency Ambulance
- OSHC Extras – you can choose to be covered for extras i.e. dental, physio, chiro and optical
Visa Compliance and Bupa OSHC
Bupa OSHC meets the Home Affairs health insurance requirements.
Bupa Care Health Cover
| Health Insurance Benefits | Bupa |
|---|---|
| Visa Compliance | |
| Meets government requirements | √ |
| Apply online | √ |
| In Hospital Treatment | |
| Accommodation | √ |
| Accident and Emergency Services | √ Public and Agreement Only |
| Outpatient and Postoperative | √ |
| Doctor Services | √ 100% of MBS |
| Out of Hospital Treatment | |
| Standard GP Consultation | √ 100% of MBS |
| Telehealth | √ 100% of MBS |
| Specialists | √ 100% of MBS |
| Pathology and X-rays | √ 100% of MBS |
| Other | |
| Emergency ambulance services | √ |
| Surgically implanted prosthesis | √ |
| Prescription medicines | √ $50 item limit PBS co-payment $300 limit person limit p.a. |
| Waiting Periods | |
| Pre-existing psychiatric | 2 months (waived) |
| Pre-existing conditions | 12 months |
| Obstetrics | 12 months |
| Extra Features | |
| Refund Policy | √ No fees |
| Support Services | √ 24hr student health and support line |
FAQ
How can I get my Bupa membership card?
Once you arrive in Australia, you can order a physical membership card through the Bupa website by creating an online account. Don’t forget to update your membership address. Alternatively, you can access a digital membership card on your mobile phone through the myBupa app.
What doesn’t Bupa OSHC cover?
Bupa OSHC does not cover the following under the insurance policy:
- Treatment at a non-agreement hospital
- Outpatient treatment
- Psychiatric and rehabilitation day programs at a non-agreement hospital
- Hospital treatment performed at a hospital by an unauthorised practitioner
- Hospital treatment for which Medicare pays no benefit
- Surgical podiatry
- Cosmetic surgery
- Respite care
- Experimental treatment
- Personal expenses i,e, pay TV, non-local phone calls
- Non PBS, high cost drugs
- Cosmetic surgery
- Medical services for surgical procedures performed by a dentist, podiatrist or a service that is not eligible for rebate through Medicare
- Costs for medical examination, x-rays, inoculation or vaccinations and other treatments relating to acquiring a visa to enter Australia
Note: This is not a complete list of exclusions. Please ensure you conduct independent research prior to taking out OSHC.
Does Bupa cover the cost of interpreters?
Bupa does not cover the cost of interpreters. However, they have multilingual consultants at Bupa retail stores. Alternatively, there is a 24 hour Student Advice line which can help in more than 180 languages for:
- Personal health or lifestyle related questions including medical and accident assistance
- Personal home and property assistance
- General tax and legal enquiries
- Trauma counselling
How can I make an OSHC claim?
To make an OSHC claim with Bupa, there are three options:
- At participating Bupa-recognised healthcare providers, you can receive your benefit immediately by swiping your myBupa membership card; or
- myBupa website or myBupa app – select “Make a claim”, upload a copy of your receipt and provide your Australian bank account details
- Visit a Bupa store with your receipt to receive help from a Bupa consultant
Book an appointment today for a commitment free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents to find more about your visa options.
