This is the amount you pay towards your hospital treatment before we pay any benefits. It's paid once per person, per calendar year. It does not apply to children on a family policy. Choosing the higher excess reduces the premiums you pay.
Overseas Workers Cover - Want 8 weeks free?
Join and maintain Medibank Overseas Workers Cover for 42 consecutive days then sign up direct debit and you could enjoy 8 weeks free. T&Cs apply*.
Need some help?
We’re here to help you choose the health cover that matches your needs while you’re in Australia. Contact Medibank how it suits you; online 24/7, WeChat, in-store or by phone.
Hospital cover
Helps towards the accommodation costs and doctors, specialists, surgeons and anaesthetists fees for the Included services below.
What is a waiting period?
A set period of time you need to wait before you can receive benefits for services or items included in your cover. You can’t receive benefits for any items or services you obtained while you’re serving a waiting period. This means you will have to pay the full cost of the service.
What is a pre-existing condition?
An ailment, illness or condition that, in the opinion of a Medical Practitioner appointed by Medibank, the signs or symptoms existed at any time during the six months before you either took out your new cover, or transferred to a higher level of cover (12 month waiting period applies).
| Inclusions | Waiting Period
What is a waiting period? A set period of time you need to wait before you can receive benefits for services or items included in your cover. You can’t receive benefits for any items or services you obtained while you’re serving a waiting period. This means you will have to pay the full cost of the service. What is a pre-existing condition? An ailment, illness or condition that, in the opinion of a Medical Practitioner appointed by Medibank, the signs or symptoms existed at any time during the six months before you either took out your new cover, or transferred to a higher level of cover (12 month waiting period applies). |
|---|---|
| Nil | |
| Nil | |
| 2 months | |
| 2 months | |
| 2 months | |
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| 12 months | |
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
|
| Nil
(12 months for pre-existing conditions) |
Please note: Medibank does not pay any benefits towards the cost of cosmetic surgery/procedures e.g. surgery that isn’t clinically necessary and which an MBS item is not billable.
Hospital cover explained
For the services listed as Inclusions in the table above, we pay benefits towards:
- Doctors' fees for Included in-hospital medical services (as set out in Medical benefits below).
- Surgically implanted prostheses (such as an artificial body part like a limb) and other items on the Federal Government's Prostheses List^^.
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)** listed medication given to you as part of your admitted treatment for most medical conditions, including medication prescribed for after you leave hospital.
- Overnight accommodation in a private or shared room
- Same-day admissions
- Intensive care
Other benefits as set out in 'Hospital benefits' below.
- Overnight accommodation in a private or shared room
- Same-day admissions
- Intensive care
- Operating theatre fees
- Outpatient and emergency department charges (where it leads to an admission)
Hospital benefits
Members’ Choice hospitals
Medibank has agreements with most private hospitals and day surgeries in Australia. We call this our Members’ Choice network. When you visit a Members’ Choice hospital you will generally get better value for money compared to a non-Members’ Choice private hospital, provided the service is included under our agreement with the hospital and not Excluded under your cover.
To find your nearest Members’ Choice hospital, visit medibank.com.au/memberschoice. Members’ Choice hospitals are subject to change from time to time and are not available in all areas.
Hospital excess
With Overseas Workers Base Hospital you can choose from a $300 or $500 excess.
This is the amount you pay towards your hospital treatment before we pay any benefits. It's payable once per member, per calendar year if admitted to hospital. If you choose a higher excess you will pay a lower premium, but will need to pay more of your own accommodation costs.
For example:
You choose an excess of $500. You'd need to pay $500 towards your accomodation costs before Medibank we'll pay any benefits.
The excess does not apply for any children on a family membership.
Medical benefits
Overseas Workers Base Hospital includes benefits towards medical services provided by a doctor, that are listed in the government’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The MBS is a list of medical services and corresponding fees.
Overseas Workers Base Hospital pays 100% of the MBS fee for:
- in-hospital medical services provided as part of an Included service (for example, surgeon and anaesthetist fees)
If your doctor chooses to charge above the MBS fee you will likely have to pay an out-of-pocket expense to cover the difference.
Further benefits
- 24/7 Medibank Nurse Support
Medibank health insurance members can chat to a registered nurse about their health questions or concerns and get guidance on what they can do next. Chat online or call 1800 644 325 anytime of the day or night, 7 days a week at no extra cost.#
- Repatriation
If you or any person on Overseas Worker Base Hospital sustains a substantial life-altering disability or a serious medical condition, as determined by us, and needs to return to their home country, we may arrange and pay the reasonable cost of travel with the appropriate medical supervision.
In the unfortunate event of death, we’ll pay the reasonable cost for the repatriation of mortal remains of you or anyone else on your membership to their home country.
The provision of any repatriation benefit is at our discretion. Conditions apply, including waiting periods. Contact us or refer to the Overseas Workers Member Guide for more information.
If your situation changes
If at any time you gain access to full Medicare entitlements or your visa status changes (e.g. you are granted permanent residency), Overseas Worker Base Hospital may no longer be suitable. In these instances, you should notify us of the change in your circumstances. Medibank can still remain an important part of your private health insurance plans as we offer a large range of other covers.
Supporting documents
Things worth knowing
Find out more about things like waiting periods and pre-existing conditions or check our list of definitions if you don't know the meaning of a word or phrase
^ For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.
+ For Accidents that occur in Australia after your cover starts and while your cover is not suspended. You must seek medical treatment for the Accident within 7 days, and receive hospital treatment within 12 months of the Accident occurring. Any Excluded service under your cover will be treated as an Included service where you require hospital treatment as a result of injuries sustained in an Accident. Excludes claims covered by third parties and our Private Room Promise. Out of pocket costs may apply.
~ Services not provided by a doctor but are billed with an MBS item number. For example, eye checks and services related to chronic disease management plans. Excludes mental health services.
^^ Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.
++ Medibank Live Better Challenges & Goals Earning Policy: The participant of a Medibank Live Better Challenge or Goal may not receive Live Better points or may have their already credited Live Better points reversed in accordance with the Medibank Live Better terms and conditions. To earn Live Better points, the participant needs to properly complete 100% of the eligible Challenge according to the instructions. The number of Live Better points available for Medibank Live Better Challenges and Goals is subject to change without prior notice. The maximum number of Live Better points that each Medibank Live Better member can earn from successfully completing health and wellbeing Challenges, Goals or any Onboarding action in a calendar year is 40,000 Live Better points. To the extent of any inconsistency between this Policy and the Medibank Live Better terms and conditions, the terms and conditions will take precedence.
≈ Must be 16 years or over to register for Medibank Live Better rewards in the My Medibank app. Some program partners and earning activities require a person to be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to earn and/or redeem a reward. Must be a Medibank member with hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, and be up-to-date with premium payments. Excludes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance only cover, ahm covers and other selected covers. Live Better Management Pty Ltd, ACN 003 457 289 has entered into commercial arrangements with Medibank Live Better program partners and may receive commissions. Please choose carefully as rewards will not be amended, cancelled, exchanged or refunded due to change of mind. Points earning activities and rewards are subject to change without prior notice and may be subject to availability. Additional terms and conditions may apply to points earning activities and rewards. See full Medibank Live Better rewards terms.
*Offer available until 31 March 2026. Must take out eligible Medibank Overseas Workers Health covers by 31 March 2026 and commence your policy by 30 April 2026. Offer available via phone, web, messaging and in store. For new members on new memberships residing in Australia on a working visa or Medibank members who are transferring from Medibank OSHC or ahm OSHC. Must be over the age of 18. Must quote promo code 'WORKER8’ when joining. Member must sign up to direct debit. Excludes Overseas Visitors Health Cover, all corporate covers, all Corporate Non-resident covers, all residential hospital and extras covers, Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance Cover, ahm covers, and other selected covers. Waiting periods may apply to hospital cover. Not available if the policy holder has already taken up this offer, or taken up any other discount offer from Medibank within 12 months from the policy start date. Not available to Medibank employees. Not available with any other offer except the Overseas Extras only offer. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash. Member take up of the offer is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Medibank reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions without notice from time to time.
8 weeks free terms: Member must maintain direct debit and keep policy premium payments up to date and hold eligible cover for 42 consecutive days from the policy start date to get next 8 weeks free. If you change to an ineligible cover during this period, or you terminate or suspend your cover, 8 weeks free will not be issued.