OVHC Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re an international visitor to Australia, it’s important to have health insurance to protect yourself in case the unexpected happens. Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is a private health insurance option specifically designed for international visitors living or travelling in Australia on a visitor’s visa.
OVHC gives you the freedom to choose your preferred doctor and be treated in a private hospital for services that are included on your policy.
AIA Health OVHC is available for those coming to Australia on a Temporary work visa or working holiday visa such as visa subclass 188, 400, 403, 407, 408, 417, 462, 476, 482, 485, 489 so you can find a policy that meets your needs. Don’t let unexpected medical expenses ruin your time in Australia – consider getting OVHC for peace of mind.
OVHC does not include access to AIA Vitality.
The universal public health system available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents is known as Medicare. Services covered by Medicare include visits to doctors, specialists, and hospitals, as well as diagnostic tests and certain medications.
This is especially important if you're coming from a country without a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, as paying for medical treatment out of pocket can be very expensive.
OVHC gives you the freedom to choose your preferred doctor and be treated in a private hospital for services that are included on your policy. It also covers doctors’ visits for non-hospital services and emergency ambulance services.
AIA Health OVHC is available for singles, couples, families, and single parent families on a visitors’ working visa, so you can find a policy that meets your needs.
Don’t let unexpected medical expenses ruin your time in Australia – consider getting OVHC for peace of mind.
What is a waiting period?
When you purchase AIA Health OVHC insurance or upgrade to a higher level of coverage, you’ll need to wait for a specified period of time before you can start making claims. This is known as the waiting period.
When does my waiting period start?
If you’re already in Australia when you get your OVHC, your waiting period will start on the date your coverage begins. But if you’re still overseas when you purchase your policy, your waiting period won’t start until you arrive in Australia and activate your cover.
It’s important to note that the time you spend overseas after purchasing your policy, but before activating it in Australia, does not count towards your waiting period.
Waiting periods can vary depending on the type of treatment you need and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions. In general, waiting periods range from 2 months to 12 months, and you won’t be able to make any claims during this time for items subject to those waiting periods.
If you’re switching to AIA Health from another equivalent Australian policy, you won’t need to re-serve waiting periods already served on that equivalent policy. Waiting periods can apply when changing your cover to include new or upgraded services.
It’s always a good idea to carefully review the terms and conditions of your OVHC policy to understand any waiting periods that may apply to your coverage. This will help you plan for any potential medical expenses you may incur during your trip to Australia.
What’s a pre-existing ailment or condition?
A pre-existing condition is any ailment, illness, or condition that you had signs or symptoms of in the six months before you purchased your policy or upgraded to a higher level of coverage, even if you haven’t received a diagnosis.
If it’s unclear whether your ailment or condition is pre-existing, your insurance provider may appoint a medical practitioner to review information provided by your doctor and any other relevant details related to your claim. This helps to determine whether your condition is considered pre-existing and whether it will be covered under your policy.
Australia has a universal healthcare system called Medicare that is funded by the government. Medicare provides free or low-cost access to medical services for all Australian citizens and permanent residents. Services covered by Medicare include visits to doctors, specialists, and hospitals, as well as diagnostic tests and certain medications.
This means that the Australian health care system provides high-quality, affordable healthcare to all Australians. It is based on the principle of universal access, which means that all Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to receive healthcare services regardless of their ability to pay. Private health insurance offers access to private hospitals and other healthcare services that are not covered by Medicare. Private health insurance can provide additional coverage for services such as private hospital accommodation, elective surgery, and other specialised medical treatments. Private health insurance is mandatory for certain visa holders and provides additional security and peace of mind to international visitors travelling and working in Australia.
What’s the difference between public and private hospitals?
Public hospitals provide free or reduced cost treatment to Australian residents and visitors who are from one of the countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. RHCA only allows for emergency care.
If you’re able to access free or reduced cost treatment through an RHCA, you won’t be able to choose when or where you’re treated (and you may have to wait a long time, depending on the treatment you need). You also won’t be able to choose your preferred doctor.
Private hospitals, on the other hand, are owned and operated by private organisations or individuals, and are funded by a combination of private insurance, patient fees, and government subsidies. Private hospitals provide a range of medical services, including elective surgery, diagnostic testing, and inpatient care.
One difference between public and private hospitals is that private hospitals may have shorter waiting times for elective surgery and other non-emergency procedures, as they are able to prioritise patients who are willing to pay for their care. Private hospitals may also offer a wider range of amenities and services, such as private rooms, but these may come at an additional cost to the patient.
You can help to manage any extra costs of hospital treatment if you go to a private hospital within the AIA Health network. If you decide to go to a private hospital that isn’t in our network, or to a public hospital, please ask how much your treatment will cost before you’re treated, so you can work out what your gap payment will be.
Does Medicare fulfil the health insurance requirements for my visa?
No, Medicare is Australia's universal health care system that provides free or low-cost access to a range of medical services for all Australian citizens and permanent residents. It is funded through a combination of taxpayer funding and the Medicare levy, a tax paid by all Australian taxpayers.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you are entitled to use the public health system, which is run by the federal government and the state and territory governments. The public health system operates a network of public hospitals and community health centres, as well as other primary care services.
It's important to note that Medicare is not generally available to overseas visitors or visa holders in Australia.
If you are an international visitor to the country, you will need to have health insurance coverage to access medical services. Check the condition of your country’s reciprocal arrangement with Australia to comply with your visa requirements. Reciprocal Medicare benefits however only cover you for emergency treatment in public hospital.
There are a two private health insurance options available for international visitors through AIA Health, Standard and Base cover. These policies provide coverage for medical and hospital treatment and may cover other benefits such as ambulance services and some prescription medications.
What is a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)?
These agreements enable visitors from certain countries to access essential medical treatment through Medicare while they're in Australia.
The Australian Government currently has RHCA with 11 countries, which allow eligible visitors from those countries to get free or reduced-cost healthcare services through Medicare. RHCA only covers you for emergency treatment in a public hospital.
However, it's important to note that Medicare does not cover all health services, such as treatment in a private hospital or in a public hospital as a private patient, ambulance services, and dental treatment.
That's why it's a good idea to get private health insurance for peace of mind, even if you're covered by an RHCA.
In many cases, private health insurance is also a requirement for obtaining a visa to visit Australia, so it's important to check your requirements before you apply for your visa.
You can find more information on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Eligible countries
The Australian Government has RHCA agreements with:
- Belgium
- Finland
- Italy
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Republic of Ireland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme?
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a government program in Australia that helps reduce the cost of prescription medications.
If you are eligible for Medicare through a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, you may pay less for a range of prescription medications.
How to access Medicare?
You need to enrol to claim Medicare benefits. To find out how to enrol, and which documentation you’ll need to provide, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.
If you are applying for a visa subclass 188, 400, 403, 407, 408, 417, 462, 476, 482, 485, 489, you will be required to show proof of adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Australia. This requirement (8501 Visa Condition) applies to you and any dependents who will be accompanying you to Australia. You will need to provide evidence of your health insurance coverage as part of your visa application. This may include a copy of your health insurance policy or a letter from your insurance provider stating the coverage that you have. It is important to note that the Australian government does not provide free healthcare services to temporary visa holders. Therefore, it is essential that you have adequate health insurance coverage to cover the cost of any medical treatment you may need while you are in Australia. It is important to note that there may be a gap between the cost of any medical treatment and what is covered by OVHC. You will be responsible for paying any gap amount.
Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) and travel insurance are different types of insurance that are designed to cover different types of medical expenses while you're travelling in Australia.
Travel insurance is typically designed to cover unexpected events such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical expenses while you're travelling. It may also provide coverage for accidents or injuries that occur during your trip.
However, it typically does not provide coverage for ongoing medical expenses or pre-existing medical conditions.
OVHC, on the other hand, is specifically designed for international visitors to Australia who are planning to stay for an extended time. It provides coverage for both unexpected medical expenses and ongoing medical care for pre-existing conditions. It also includes coverage for ambulance services, prescription medication, and hospital treatment.
OVHC can also cover the cost of medical evacuation to your home country if necessary.
The benefits of choosing OVHC over travel insurance is that it provides more comprehensive coverage for medical expenses while you're in Australia. It also covers ongoing medical care for pre-existing conditions, which is typically not covered by travel insurance. Additionally, OVHC plans can provide coverage for ambulance services, prescription medication, and hospital treatment, which may not be covered by travel insurance.
In general, OVHC is a better option for visitors who are planning to stay in Australia for an extended time and who want to ensure that they have adequate coverage for their healthcare needs while they are travelling.
Yes, all AIA Health Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) products meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs (8501 Visa Condition for 188, 400, 403, 407, 408, 417, 462, 476, 482, 485, 489 visas). So, by choosing AIA Health, you can feel confident that you have fully compliant coverage.
Plus, once you apply for your policy, we’ll send you a letter to use as part of your visa application, so you can get your process started as soon as possible. Don’t let the need for private health insurance interrupt your travel plans. Consider AIA Health OVHC to meet your visa requirements and have peace of mind during your trip.
OVHC does not include access to AIA Vitality, the science-backed health and wellbeing program.
You can use your OVHC towards the cost of hospital treatment and any out-of-hospital medical services included within your cover. Remember, insurance may only cover part of these costs, so you may still need to cover part of the fees yourself.
Medical services available with AIA Health OVHC include:
a) Hospital
We have agreements with most private hospitals around Australia. If you visit a hospital in our network, it can help reduce your costs, or gap, (apart from your excess if you have one) for treatment or services that are covered by your OVHC.
If you decide to go to a private hospital that isn’t in our network, or a public hospital, you may have significant extra costs. Please ask the hospital what your treatment will cost before you’re treated, so you can understand what your gap payment will be.
You can minimise these extra costs if you go to a private hospital in the AIA Health network.
b) General Practitioners (GPs)
In Australia, a regular doctor (known as a General Practitioner or ‘GP’) will probably be the first person you’ll see if you have a health issue. Please check whether your selected cover includes GP visits.
c) Specialist doctors
If you need to see a specialist doctor (outside of hospital) you’ll need a referral from a GP. Depending on what the specialist charges, there may be a cost to you.
Before starting your treatment, it is worth asking the doctor if your Overseas Visitors insurance (OVHC) will cover the entire cost, or if there’ll be any other costs you’ll need to pay.
d) Emergency ambulance
Should the unexpected happen, you can feel secure knowing that you have coverage for emergency ambulance services with AIA Health OVHC.
These services include on-the-spot treatment or emergency transportation to the nearest hospital that can provide the necessary level of care. In some cases, you may also be able to claim for emergency transfers between hospitals to access the services you need.
Other useful information about private health insurance:
a) What is an excess?
Your excess is the amount that you must contribute towards the cost of any hospital treatment during any calendar year. AIA Health OVHC products have excess options of $500 and $750. The excess applies per member, per calendar year and it doesn’t apply to child dependants covered under a family or single-family policy.
b) What is “the gap”?
Depending on your level of cover you may face additional out-of-pocket expenses, also known as "the gap."
These extra costs are not covered by your AIA Health OVHC and can add up quickly.
To minimise the gap and avoid unexpected expenses, it's a good idea to seek treatment at a hospital within the AIA Health network. Please contact us for a list of participating hospitals.
It's important to ask your doctor about any potential extra costs before beginning treatment and to fully understand and consent to the gap that may apply.
We are here to help make managing your cover as simple as possible, from the moment you apply and throughout your time in Australia. You can update your details and manage your policy via our online member portal.
We know that waiting for a Visa can be a stressful time, so if you cancel your Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC), we’ll refund any payments you made in advance.
What if I have a family?
Family memberships are available through AIA Health.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Simply call our Overseas Visitors Helpline on 1800 161 170.
Claiming doctor’s bills:
After visiting a General Practitioner (GP) or Specialist
After you have visited the GP or a specialist you’ll need to send your invoice to ovhc.memberservices@aia.com.au.
Claiming hospital bills
If you’ve been to a hospital from the AIA Health network, the bill(s) should come straight to us, so you shouldn’t need to do anything.
Please note, sometimes the bills come directly to us even if the hospital is outside the AIA Health network. So, please confirm this with the hospital.
Otherwise, if you paid the costs yourself or are sent a bill, you and the hospital need to complete a National Private Patient Claim Form.
Claiming ambulance cost
Most ambulance claims will be submitted to AIA Health directly, when a membership number is supplied.
If you receive a bill directly you can submit to AIA Health using any of the claiming methods.
If you cancel your policy within the first 30 days of joining AIA Health we will refund any premium paid, unless you have claimed, in which case your refunded premiums will be prorated. Any additional premiums paid in advance will be refunded to you in full.
With AIA Health Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) you are covered throughout Australia. So, whether you’re travelling or moving States during your time in Australia, you can rest assured that your health and wellbeing will be looked after.
However, it is worth noting that you are not covered if you are travelling outside of Australia. Please call us on 1800 161 170 to discuss whether you are eligible to suspend your cover if you are travelling overseas or refer to the Member Guide for more details.
If you move to a different address within Australia permanently while you’re covered by AIA Health, please call us on 1800 161 170 to update your contact details. Alternatively, you can update your details via the Online Member Portal.