Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), a distinctive health insurance programme for foreign students, is available in Australia. For overseas students studying in Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a special health insurance programme. An insurance product called OSHC is designed to help international students pay for hospital and medical treatment while they are studying in Australia. Because of these laws, foreign students should get their Australian international student health insurance before departing their place of residence.
What is Oshc (Overseas Student Health Cover)?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), a distinctive health insurance programme for foreign students, is available in Australia. For overseas students studying in Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a special health insurance programme. An insurance product called OSHC is designed to help international students pay for hospital and medical treatment while they are studying in Australia. Because of these laws, foreign students should get their Australian international student health insurance before departing their place of residence.
Why Are International Students Required to Have Oshc?
While you're studying abroad, it helps you pay for medical costs like prescription medications:
- Hospital
- Emergency Ambulance
- Prescription Medicine
- Doctor visits
Before you may apply for a student visa, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover for specific nations.
Who Offers Oshc and How Much Will It Cost?
The following funding to provide OSHC have been authorised by the Australian Government Department of Health:
- Allianz Care Australia
- BUPA Australia
- Medibank Private
- NIB OSHC
- CBHS International Health
- Ahm OSHC
The cost of OSHC varies based on the kind of coverage required. As of September 2021, the price of minimum insurance is as low as AUD $478 (INR 35,905) for a year of singles coverage, $2,600 (INR 1,95,302) for a year of couples coverage, and $4,200 (INR 3,15,488) for a year of family coverage. Your academic institution may arrange for your OSHC, or you may purchase it online through the OSHC provider's website.
What Does Oshc Cover?
Hospitalisation and medical care expenses are reduced in part by OSHC rules. Benefits also include coverage for ambulance services. OSHC does not provide coverage for general care (often known as auxiliary or supplemental cover), including dental, optical, or physiotherapy. You can obtain Extras OSHC from an OSHC provider or general treatment cover from any Australian private health insurer if you require coverage for these treatments. You can utilise additional insurance to supplement OSHC, such as foreign travel insurance.
Oshc and Covid-19
- OSHC principally covers the clinical subtypes "Lung and chest," "Kidney and bladder," and "Dialysis for chronic kidney failure" when it comes to illnesses caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).
- In order to assure continuity of coverage during this time, foreign students who are stranded in Australia as a result of the country's necessary travel restrictions in response to the worldwide epidemic should get in touch with their private health insurance.
- Contacting their private health insurance can help international students on student visas who are away from home owing to the coronavirus (COVID-19) learn about their options.
Oshc and Pharmaceuticals
Only a few pharmacological advantages are available:
- With a limit of $50 (INR 3757) per pharmaceutical item and $300 (INR 22,545) a year for a single membership ($600 for a family membership).
- You may be required to make large out-of-pocket expenses if you require pharmaceutical therapy, particularly oncology (cancer) treatment.
Where Can You Purchase Oshc?
In accordance with a Deed of Agreement with the Department of Health, several insurers supply OSHC to students in order to provide appropriate health insurance at a reasonable price. A few registered health insurers that provide OSHC include:
- Allianz Care Australia
- BUPA Australia
- Medibank Private
- NIB OSHC
- CBHS International Health
- Ahm OSHC
