Changes to medical benefits under your Overseas Workers Base Hospital cover

An important change to your medical benefits from 15 July 2019.

On 15 July 2019, we reduced the benefits payable for medical services included in your cover.

Before we outline the specific change to your cover, it’s helpful to understand the following:

Your cover allows you to claim benefits towards in-hospital medical services (e.g. surgeon and anaesthetist fees). Each service has an item number and a ‘recommended’ fee that’s been set by the Australian government, called the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. 

Depending on the service, the maximum amount we previously paid towards medical services included in your cover ranged between 100% and 272% of the MBS fee.

So what's changing for you?

From 15 July 2019, the maximum benefit we'll pay towards medical services included in your cover is set to 100% of the MBS fee, which has resulted in a reduction in the maximum benefit we will pay for most medical services in your cover. If your doctor charges more than the amount set by the Australian government (MBS fee), you'll pay the difference as an increased out-of-pocket expense

For more information about the new maximum benefits for specific MBS items you may require, take a look at the table below.

We’re here to help

Of course, if you’d like to review your cover, we’d be happy to guide you through your options and find one that better suits your personal circumstances, give us a call on 132 331.

^ Current as of 15 July 2019.

Note: Items listed in the MBS without an pre-set MBS fee (i.e. derived fees) are not included in this look up as the maximum benefit payable is variable and are unchanged. See mbs.gov.au for more information on MBS fees.

*Offer available until 31 March 2025. Must take out eligible Medibank Overseas Workers Health covers and commence your policy by 30 April 2025.  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.