Overseas Student Health Cover (2024)

In Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory requirement of your student visa unless an exception applies. You must have OSHC for the entire time you are studying in Australia. OSHC helps you easily access medical services while you are in Australia – so you can focus on your studies and enjoying your time in Australia.

To meet the student visa requirements and eligibility for OSHC the Australian Government requires that you have continuous OSHC for the entire length of your stay in Australia, unless an exception applies. When you purchase OSHC, you’ll need to pay your policy premium upfront to cover you for the length of your student visa.

Single– covering only the overseas student who is the primary Student Visa holder/applicant*

Dual family– covering the overseas student and their partner, or the overseas student and their dependant children

Multi-family– covering the overseas student, a partner, and their dependant children

*Important note: if you hold a secondary Student Visa, you must be insured under the same policy as the primary Student Visa holder. You are not eligible to hold an OSHC policy in your own right if you are a secondary Student Visa holder or a dependant. A spouse or de facto partner of a primary Student Visa holder or applicant is considered a secondary Student Visa holder.

As an international student, you are requiredto maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Australia unless an exception applies.Overseas students who don’t maintain adequate health insurance are at risk of having their visa cancelled.

Allianz Care Australia may provide the Department of Home Affairs with the name and contact details of any member who has cancelled his or her Policy or whose premium is refunded.

Read the Policy Wording to learn more about eligibility and requirement

If you hold a secondary Student Visa, you must be insured under the same policy as the primary Student Visa holder. You are not eligible to hold an OSHC policy in your own right if you are a secondary Student Visa holder or a dependant. A Partner of a primary Student Visa holder or applicant is considered a secondary Student Visa holder.

If we become aware that you and any dependants have not purchased the correct OSHC policy type, we may notify you that you must transfer your policy to the correct OSHC policy type. We will give you and your dependants a reasonable period to undertake corrective action on your OSHC policy. If you and your dependants fail to respond and undertake the corrective action, we may transfer your OSHC policy or policies to the appropriate OSHC policy type and issue a revised invoice to you. If you and your dependants fail to pay the revised invoice by the date specified, we may withhold benefits payable for services under your policy.

Upon payment of a revised invoice, we will re-issue policydocumentation and credit any waiting periods already served underyour previous OSHC policy.

The Australian Government requires you have continuous OSHC for the entire length of your stay in Australia. You can purchase OSHC for the proposed length of your Student Visa.

Start Date
Your OSHC policy start date should match your arrival date in Australia or your student visa grant date, whichever is later, to ensure that you are covered for the entire length of your stay.

End Date
Your OSHC policy end date should match your departure date from Australia or your student visa end date, to ensure that you are covered for the entire length of your stay.

READ THE POLICY WORDING TO LEARN MORE

To learn how to calculate your cover start and end date visit theDepartment of Home Affairs.

Allianz Care Australia has two different ways you can make an OSHC claim.

  • Claim online via theMyHealth online members portal.
  • Download ourMyHealth appto manage all your claims on your smart phone.

Find out more about making an OSHC claim here.

Allianz Care Australia's standard Overseas Student Health Cover does not cover dental, optical, physiotherapy or other extras treatments. You can arrange additional coverage for such service with OSHC Extras coverage. To find out more about what OSHC does cover, compare OSHC here.

If the country you are from has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, you may be able to access some subsidised health services with Medicare while you are here.Even if your country has an agreement with Australia, your access to cover may be limited and you may still require OSHC.

The cost of your overseas student health cover will depend on how long you plan to study in Australia, your visa and the number of people on your policy.

Overseas Student Health Cover (2024)

FAQs

Can I get a refund for oshc? ›

When to request a Refund. Where a request to close or refund part of your OSHC is accepted by us, we will refund the unused portion of your premiums where: You paid for ahm OSHC but did not come to Australia to take up studies. You have paid your premiums for an extended stay, but your student visa was not extended.

How does health insurance work for international students? ›

The University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) meets all J visa health insurance requirements, including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. You are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP when your registration fees are assessed and appear on your campus billing or “ZOT” account.

How much is health insurance for international students in USA? ›

Factors like the duration of time you are planning on studying and the kind of coverage you need can impact the price you pay for an annual insurance plan. On average, such a plan may cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per year.

Does Affordable Care Act cover international students? ›

International students, typically exempt from the ACA as non-residents, may still be required to purchase an ACA plan due to their school's health insurance requirements.

How long does it take to claim OSHC? ›

Most claims for doctor appointments are processed within 5 business days. Hospital claims (including outpatient visits) are usually processed within 7-14 days.

Does health insurance give refunds? ›

Many companies will issue a refund for the period of time left on your policy. You should also check your bank statements after your new health insurance coverage starts to ensure the canceled plan isn't still in effect. You'll also want to ensure your new policy is active under the latest monthly payment amounts.

Which insurance is best for international students in the USA? ›

What Are the Best Health Insurance Plans for International Students in the USA?
  • ExchangeGuard.
  • Patriot Exchange Program.
  • Student Secure.
  • Student Health Advantage.
  • Study USA.
  • Navigator Student.

Can F1 visa students get health insurance? ›

F-1 Visa Insurance Requirements

Some institutions will require all of their international students to buy school-sponsored insurance coverage, while others will allow these students to purchase a plan of their own choosing.

How much does health insurance cost in the US? ›

Average annual health insurance premiums in 2023 are $8,435 for single coverage and $23,968 for family coverage. These average premiums each increased 7% in 2023. The average family premium has increased 22% since 2018 and 47% since 2013.

How much is international health insurance per month? ›

How Much Does International Health Insurance Cost? International health insurance can cost you anywhere from $200 to $900 per month— with an average of $500. However, your international health insurance can vary depending on the following factors: International or local.

Can international students get Medicaid in USA? ›

Yes. Some Student visa holders, who need long term care services that are not covered by Essential Plan or Child Health Plus may be eligible for Medicaid. Enrolling in Medicaid long term care services in a nursing home or mental health facility could make an applicant for a Student visa inadmissible as a public charge.

What is the deductible in health insurance? ›

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. After you pay your deductible, you usually pay only a. copayment.

Can non-US citizens get health insurance? ›

If you're a “qualified non-citizen,” you're generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.

Who pays for international students? ›

However, international students cannot apply for the federal financial aid program. As a result, international students typically rely on private loans to pay for college. Banks, financial organizations, and schools all offer private student loans. Each lender sets different terms for taking out a loan.

Do international students pay for Medicare? ›

Nonresident alien students, scholars, professors, teachers, trainees, researchers, and other aliens temporarily present in the United States in F-1,J-1,M-1, or Q-1 nonimmigrant status are exempt from Social Security / Medicare Taxes on wages paid to them for services performed within the United States as long as such ...

Can I get a refund on Allianz insurance? ›

For a full refund of your premium, you must cancel within 15 days of your plan purchase (depending on your state of residence) and must not have filed a claim or departed on your trip. Premiums are non-refundable after this period.

How to refund health insurance? ›

Steps to Cancel the Health Insurance Policy
  1. Get in touch with the support department of the insurance company to submit the request for policy cancellation.
  2. You will need to send a written request either offline or online with the details of your policy and the reason for the policy cancellation.

Can I change my OSHC? ›

While you can switch OSHC funds at any time, you may incur a refund processing fee if you do so. You may be entitled to a refund on your OSHC if you paid in advance. There cannot be any gap between your previous policy and your new policy, so always ensure you have arranged your new OSHC in advance.

Can I cancel my AHM insurance? ›

To cancel your cover simply contact us on 134 246. Keep in mind that only the Principal Member, or their authorised third party, has the right to cancel a whole membership. We'll cancel your policy from the date that we receive your notice and forward you a refund of any excess premiums.

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