Overseas Student Health Cover CBHS International Health

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is an overseas student?

For the purposes of OSHC, 'overseas student' means:

A person who is applying for a student visa, subclass 500
A person who is the holder of a student visa; or
A person who:
- Is an applicant for a student visa; and
- Is the holder of a bridging visa; and
- Was immediately before being granted the bridging visa, the
  holder of a student visa

What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

OSHC is insurance to assist international students meet the costs that may be needed while studying in Australia, such as:

Out of hospital medical treatment
In hospital medical treatment
Prescription medicines
Emergency ambulance
Surgically implanted prostheses

When does my OSHC start?

Your policy starts when you arrive in Australia or the day that your student visa is granted – whichever is later – and ends when your student visa expires. It’s important that you contact us when you arrive in Australia or when your new student visa starts so that we can activate your cover. Note that you are not covered for treatment outside of Australia.

When will I receive my OSHC confirmation of cover?

Overseas Student must have OSHC for the intended duration of the student visa. You will need to pay for your OSHC up front to cover the entire period of the student visa you are applying for.

For more information of visa grant periods, please refer to The Department of Home Affairs website

Once you’ve paid for your OSHC cover, an email with your OSHC confirmation of cover letter will be immediately emailed to you. Please make sure you provide a valid email address to avoid delays.

Your CBHS International Health cover gives you peace of mind knowing that you're covered if you have an accident or illness while you're in Australia.

View All FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is an overseas student?

For the purposes of OSHC, ‘overseas student’ means:

A person who is applying for a student visa, subclass 500
A person who is the holder of a student visa; or
A person who:
- Is an applicant for a student visa; and
- Is the holder of a bridging visa; and
- Was immediately before being granted the bridging visa, the
  holder of a student visa

What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

OSHC is insurance to assist international students meet the costs that may be needed while studying in Australia, such as:

Out of hospital medical treatment
In hospital medical treatment
Prescription medicines
Emergency ambulance
Surgically implanted prostheses

Who has to have OSHC?

It is a condition of a student visa that overseas students must have OSHC for the duration of their student visa. This includes the student and their family members such as spouse and children under 18 years of age.

You do not need to have OSHC if you are:

a Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
a Swedish student covered by Kammarkollegiet
a Belgian student covered under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia

To find out more, please visit The Department of Home Affairs

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas /getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#Eligibility

When will I receive my OSHC confirmation of cover?

Overseas Student must have OSHC for the intended duration of the student visa. You will need to pay for your OSHC up front to cover the entire period of the student visa you are applying for.

For more information of visa grant periods, please refer to The Department of Home Affairs website

Once you’ve paid for your OSHC cover, an email with your OSHC confirmation of cover letter will be immediately emailed to you. Please make sure you provide a valid email address to avoid delays.

When does my OSHC start?

How do I pay for my OSHC?

Your OSHC can be paid for by credit card. If you need assistance, please email oshc@cbhscorp.com.au or call 1300 174 538 if you are in Australia.

What should I do if I need to increase my OSHC length of cover?

If you need to increase your OSHC cover and your OSHC has not started, you can go online to change the dates and make any additional payment. We will email you an updated confirmation of cover.

If your policy has already commenced, please email oshc@cbhscorp.com.au or call 1300 174 538 if you are in Australia and we will help adjust your OSHC.

What are waiting periods under OSHC?

Sometimes you must wait for a period of time before you’re able to claim benefits for services under your OSHC – this is called a waiting period. The following waiting periods apply to your OSHC:

Pre-existing medical conditions 12 months
Pre-existing psychiatric conditions 2 months
Obstetrics & Pregnancy related services 12 months**

**Unless a doctor or nurse confirms emergency treatment is required

This waiting period is calculated commencing from:

The date you or your dependant arrived in Australia; or
The date your student visa was granted whichever is the later date

What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is an ailment, illness or condition, and in the opinion of a Medical practitioner appointed by CBHS International Health, the signs or symptoms of the condition existed at any time up to 6 months prior to the Student or their dependant arrived in Australia and commenced their OSHC.

In forming an opinion, the Medical Practitioner must have regard to any information about the condition provided by the Medical Practitioner who treated the condition.

It is important that if you have a pre-existing ailment you contact us as you may be eligible for programs that can help you with your condition.

Are there waiting periods for pregnancy?

There is a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy and pregnancy related services**. If you are going to have a baby it is important that you tell us as early as possible as you may be entitled to a free online birth course or other programs to help you and baby stay healthy and save you money.

**Unless a doctor or nurse confirms emergency treatment is required

What do I do if I need help and I don’t know what to do?

Here at CBHS International Health, we are more than just health insurers, we are committed to your health and happiness. Giving you quick and easy access to any medical information, or help, that you may need - any time, any day, and in any language you prefer - is one of the ways we show that our members are at the heart of everything we do.

That’s why it’s important you always call us as a first step. This way we can let you know all your options, and any costs involved to help you have no (or low) out of pocket costs. We do not want you to have to pay a cent more than you should.

Need a GP or have a medical emergency? Your personal safety and wellbeing are a top priority for us and we offer you free grief and trauma counselling and assist you to understand local laws and safety. All you need to do is call us first.

As an OSHC member you have access to our 24/7 medical and assistance helpline, 365 days of the year. Our helpline includes an interpreter or translator service to ensure we will always be able to help you. We will relay messages on your behalf to family, friends and associates on request.

How does OSHC fit into the health system for students?

The private healthcare system complements the public healthcare system, or if you’re not eligible for Medicare, it replaces it. OSHC is intended to help with the cost of services provided in the private healthcare system. This includes emergency ambulance trips and a range of treatments in private and public hospitals.

How do out of hospital services work?

Most minor medical issues can be treated by a local doctor or General Practitioner (GP) who can also prescribe medication. Usually you will only go straight to hospital if you have an emergency or major accident.

If you have a non-urgent injury or illness that needs to be treated, you may want to consider visiting a GP at a medical centre. In Australia, doctors can be either GPs or Specialist Physicians. To visit a Specialist Physician such as a Gastroenterologist, you must first visit a GP and obtain a referral.

When you see a doctor, there is a fee set by the government for consultations called the Medical Benefits Schedule or MBS for most medical services. If your doctor charges the MBS then your OSHC policy will pay the entire amount.

If the doctor chooses to charge more than the MBS, then you will have to cover the difference known as an ‘out of pocket’ or ‘gap’ payment. For example, if you have a standard consultation with a doctor and were charged the MBS fee of $37.05 your policy would pay 100% and you would have no gap. If the doctor charged $50 then your policy would pay $37.05 (equal to the MBS benefit) and you would have to pay $12.95 which is the ‘gap’ between the benefit your policy pays and the cost of the service. You’ll need to pay the gap fee yourself – you won’t be able to claim that amount.

If you go to a GP who is part of the CBHS International network, you will not have any out of pocket costs for most services. The services are available after hours and during the weekend also.

Phone 1300 174 538 to find a GP who is a member of the network.

How do public hospitals work for OSHC?

All public hospitals in Australia have a 24-hour emergency and casualty department where you can get help after hours and on the weekend. People waiting in emergency are assessed and treated based on the seriousness of their medical condition. The patients with the most urgent problems are seen and treated first. If you attend the emergency department with a less serious medical condition, you may need to wait a long time to be treated and you could have a large out of pocket expense. You should only go to a public hospital emergency department if it is a medical emergency. If you are unsure call 1300 174 538 to get help.

What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)?

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is an Australian Government program that subsidises some prescription medicines to make them more affordable for residents. Generally, overseas visitors to Australia are not eligible for subsidised prescription medication under the PBS. Overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) are also eligible to access the PBS.

What happens after I join?

It’s important that you contact us when you arrive in Australia so that we can start your cover correctly. After you arrive in Australia you’ll receive your membership cards and detailed information about your level of cover and what it includes.

How do I make a complaint?

Your feedback is very important to us so please contact us immediately if you have a concern so that we can help you.

If we can’t help you or you are unsatisfied with our response, you can contact the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO). The PHIO provides free independent service to help consumers with health insurance problems and enquires.

Phone: 1300 362 072 (within Australia)
Website: http://www.ombudsman.gov.au /making-a-complaint/overseas-students to access tools & resources and seek advice

How do I contact CBHS International Health?

If you need assistance with your cover or to help navigate the Australian health system then you can contact CBHS International Health either by email at oshc@cbhscorp.com.au or telephone our award-winning call centre on 1300 174 538 .

How do I receive my claims benefits payment?

If you have paid for the benefit and it’s claimable on services you’re covered for, we will pay directly to your Australian bank account. If you have not paid for the service, then your General Practitioner/Doctor will be reimbursed.

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Accident related treatment^ after joining
Dental services, removal of tonsils, adenoids, appendix
Investigation, repair or reconstruction of bones and tissues of a knee, hip or shoulder that have been damaged as a result of physical trauma

Silver Visitors
Description	Cover
Doctors services (100% of MBS fee) e.g. GP visits, Specialist fees
Prescription medicine	$300 per year
Outpatient psychiatric and psychology benefits

Description	Amount/Item Covered
In Australia your local doctor is called a general practitioner.
For eligible services provided by GP’s who are part of the CBHS International Health network up to the relevant service limit.	100% of the cost
For eligible services provided by GP’s who are not part of the CBHS International Health network.	100% of MBS fee*

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Hospitals in Australia are for having an operation or for a medical emergency. If you are unsure if you should go to a hospital call us first to make sure you are covered for your treatment. You are covered for Private and Public hospital. Your cover includes benefits for accommodation, operating theatre, intensive care and labour ward for overnight or same day stays.	100% of the MBS fee* for medical services provided in a public or private hospital. 100% of the cost for accommodation, operating theatre, intensive care and labour ward at a private agreement hospital.For a public hospital, we pay the State gazetted rate. Some public hospitals charge more than this rate which means you will have to pay the difference.

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Transportation provided by State or Commonwealth ambulance services that are medically necessary for admission to hospital or emergency treatment at the scene due to an accident or emergency.	100% of the charge

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Pathology services such as blood tests.	100% of MBS*

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Radiology services such as x-rays	100% of MBS*

Description	Amount/Item Covered
Surgically implanted prostheses which are listed on the Federal Government Prostheses List.	100% of the benefit as determined by the Federal Government.

Description	Amount/Item Covered
A waiting period is a period of time you need to wait from the commencement of your cover date before you are entitled to receive benefits for the services or items that may be covered	12 months for obstetrics and pregnancy-related services 12 months for pre-existing conditions 2 months for pre-existing psychiatric condition

Psychiatric treatment	2 months
Palliative Care	2 months
Rehabilitation	2 months
Pre-existing medical conditions	12 months
Pregnancy and birth related services	12 months

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Get a quote for OSHC

Where will you be living in Australia?

The cover is for:

Select passport country of issue:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is an overseas student?

What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

When does my OSHC start?

When will I receive my OSHC confirmation of cover?

Bronze Visitors

$

per month

Silver Visitors

$

Your OSHC policy

Do you have a student visa? Please specify if you have your student visa

$

Policy document

OSHC Plan

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per month

Doctors’ Visits

Hospital

Emergency Ambulance

Prescription Medicines

Pathology

Radiology

Prostheses

Waiting Periods

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Have you, or anyone covered in the policy, been affected by any of the following pre-existing conditions?

1. Diabetes, high blood sugar, sugar in the urine

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2. Injury to, or disorder of any joint, muscle or ligament

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3. Any heart or circulatory condition, including but not limited to, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack or chest pain

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4. Any type of cancer, tumour or blood disorder

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5. Any nervous disorder or mental health condition

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6. Any other significant medical condition requiring ongoing monitoring or treatment

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7. In the last 5 years been admitted to hospital for any reason

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8. In the last 5 years taken any medication, other than the contraceptive pill or for cold or flu

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9. In the last 5 years experienced any symptoms, or sought advice or treatment from any medical specialist for anything other than already answered above

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CBHS International Privacy and Terms and Conditions

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