About Working Visa Health Insurance
Working Visa Health Insurance is designed for international visitors who are in Australia for business purposes or who are sponsored by an employer.
Having “adequate arrangements for health insurance” is a mandatory condition of subclass 457 visas granted from 14 September 2009. This means that most subclass 457 visa applicants will be required to purchase a certain level of private health insurance for themselves and their dependants for the duration of their visa. Working Visa Health Insurance is suitable for this purpose.
Note: Subclass 457 visa applicants who propose to remain in Australia for less than 3 months or who are adequately covered by reciprocal health care agreements may not be required to take out private health insurance. For more information, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au.
Working Visa Health Insurance satisfies the requirements for subclass 457 visa applicants/holders. It is a comprehensive cover combining the three key areas of health care - hospital, medical and extras cover. It helps cover you for hospital stays and services from doctors as well as for other services provided out of hospital by professionals other than doctors, such as visits to the dentist, optical items and physiotherapy.
Hospital cover
What's covered?
We will pay benefits towards (less any applicable excess):
Public hospital
You’re covered for the full cost of overnight accommodation charges in a shared or private room, less any applicable excess.
For same day admissions in a public hospital, Medibank Private will cover the full cost of a shared room only, less any applicable excess.
Any charge above your benefit will form part of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Excess
To help reduce your premiums, you can choose to pay an excess. An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of your treatment if admitted to hospital.
The optional excess is $500 per person, per hospital admission. It applies each time a member is admitted to hospital. However you will not pay more than $500 per single membership or $1,000 per couple/family membership each calendar year.
Medical cover
We provide benefits for medical services, in and out of hospital, that are listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and provided by a doctor. The Medicare Benefits Schedule covers most medical procedures and treatments provided by a doctor.
Generally you will receive higher medical benefits than the benefits paid to a permanent Australian resident under Medicare. You will have to pay any additional cost if the doctor charges you more than the benefits we pay you. Medical benefits are only payable for services listed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule. If you are eligible for Medicare, you will not receive benefits under Working Visa Health Insurance for services for which a Medicare benefit is payable.
Prescription only pharmaceuticals – Important information
Most international visitors to Australia are not eligible for subsidised pharmaceuticals under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). With Working Visa Health Insurance, Medibank Private will pay benefits towards PBS listed drugs, prescribed according to PBS approved indications, that are administered during and form part of your admitted episode of care (including drugs prescribed upon discharge).
Your benefit is equal to the PBS government subsidy in excess of your patient contribution. If high cost pharmaceuticals are required for your treatment when in hospital, you may incur significant out-of-pocket expenses. For more information on the PBS visit www.health.gov.au.
Extras cover
Having extras cover means you’ll receive benefits towards expenses associated with health services other than those provided in hospital or by a doctor.
These types of services include:
- Dental treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Optical items
- Alternative therapies.
View the extras table to see all the services you can claim benefits towards and to find out the find out about the annual limits and sub-limits that apply to benefits for extras item and services.
Additional service – Repatriation benefit
If you or any other member included on your membership has to be repatriated to your home country due to a substantial life-altering illness or injury, Medibank Private may arrange, and pay the reasonable cost of, return travel with the appropriate medical supervision.
And in the event of death, your mortal remains or those of any other member on your membership may be repatriated to your home country if legally permissible.
The provision of any repatriation benefit is at the discretion of Medibank Private. Conditions apply, for further information call us on 132 331.
Is this cover right for you?
Working Visa Health Insurance satisfies the requirements for subclass 457 visa applicants/holders. It is designed for visitors and their families who are in Australia for business purposes or are sponsored by an employer and who are not eligible for full Medicare entitlements.
If you are required to purchase private health insurance to obtain a subclass 457 visa, Working Visa Health Insurance will be suitable for your needs.
If, at any time, you gain access to full Medicare entitlements or your work visa status changes, (eg you are granted permanent residency), Working Visa Health Insurance covers may no longer be suitable. In these instances, you should notify us of the change in your circumstances.
Medibank Private can still remain an important part of your private health insurance plans as we offer a range of other covers to suit your needs.
If you are coming to Australia on a student visa our visitor cover will not satisfy your visa requirements. You should consider our Overseas Student Health Cover.
Before you join it’s important that you take a look at Further information for details on waiting periods (including the pre-existing ailment rule) and other benefit assessment information.
If you are unsure of a term or phrase used, check out our Glossary.