Bupa Overseas Visitor Health Cover
In Australia, the healthcare system has two parts: Medicare (public healthcare) and private healthcare. Australians use Medicare to fund their access to the public system, and private health insurance to fund access to both public and private systems.
Bupa overseas visitor health insurance allows international visitors to access certain parts of the Australian healthcare system for treatment during their stay.
Bupa's Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) offers standard coverage during your time abroad. Whether you're traveling, studying, or working, Bupa has tiers of cover so you can get the coverage you need while you're in Australia and either pay less or nothing out of pocket.
Bupa understands that unexpected health issues can arise during your stay in Australia, and navigating healthcare in a new country can be confusing and stressful. To combat this, Bupa offers clear and affordable coverage for overseas visitors.
Why Choose Bupa For Overseas Visitor Health Cover
Bupa is a healthcare leader in Australia offering a wide range of services including aged care, dental, optical, and Overseas Visitor Health Cover, among others. Bupa is Australia's second-biggest health fund and has over 18 million members globally, with over 65 years of experience. They offer a range of policies that are designed to meet the health insurance conditions of your chosen visa.
Get coverage for your overseas stay with Bupa and know you are meeting the 8501 visa condition. Your visa verification letter will be electronically sent to you upon signing up for coverage and paying your first month in advance.
Key Features Of Bupa’s Overseas Visitor Health Cover
Network Of Hospitals & Doctors
Members benefit from Bupa's extensive network of hospitals, clinics, and doctors. This far-reaching network extends right across Australia, allowing overseas visitors to access the healthcare services they need.
All of the hospitals that are partnered with Bupa can be searched on Bupa’s website. Simply find the one nearest to you for treatment that falls within your policy benefits.
Continuous Coverage Assurance
Transitioning between OSHC and OVHC is easy with Bupa. If you suddenly need to switch, you’ll receive uninterrupted coverage during your stay as long as you don’t switch providers.
This is especially convenient for students switching from a Student Visa to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and needing the correct cover as per visa requirements.
Visa Compliant
Overseas health cover is mandatory for visitor and working visas. With Bupa's OVHC insurance, you will easily meet the 8501 visa condition set by the Department of Home Affairs.
You will receive your visa compliance certificate immediately after purchasing the policy with Bupa, allowing you to quickly finish your visa application.
Bupa’s OVHC is suitable for visas 188, 400, 403, 407, 408, 417, 457, 482, 485, and 489.
An Overview Of Bupa’s Overseas Visitor Health Cover
Hospital Cover
At its standard level, Bupa OVHC gives you basic hospital cover in Australia. Bupa's hospital cover includes a $250 per person excess per calendar year, covering overnight hospital stays, medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), emergency room visits, in-hospital doctor services, and more.
This will not cover certain ‘extras’ services such as dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, or optical. These services can be purchased when you opt for extras cover.
Out Of Hospital Treatments
Your health is more than just hospital cover, and Bupa knows this. This is why your Bupa OVHC cover also includes the following:
- GP Visits: Covers consultations with doctors and specialists
- Outpatient Services: Includes services like blood tests, imaging, pathology, and physiotherapy
- Pregnancy: Receive coverage for prenatal care, childbirth, and other pregnancy-related services
- Mental Health: Access to psychiatric and psychological services (100% of MBS)
- Prescriptions: Up to $300 per year for medications listed on the PBS
It is important to note that because health insurance is designed to treat new conditions occurring after your coverage has started, any pre-existing conditions are subject to a 12-month waiting period before you can claim services under Bupa OVHC.
Ambulance cover
Bupa also provides ambulance transportation cover for emergency treatment.
If an emergency occurs and an ambulance is dispatched to transport you to the hospital, all treatment is included in your Bupa health insurance OVHC policy so you can get immediate help when needed.
Waiting Periods
There are waiting periods for certain services. For most services, you'll be covered after just two months. The waiting times for Bupa OVHC’s specific services are as follows:
- 2 months for inpatient psychiatric, rehabilitation, and palliative care services (whether the condition is pre-existing or not)
- 12 months for pre-existing conditions
- 12 months for pregnancy-related services
Note that there is no waiting period for hospital treatment as a result of an accident.
How To Make A Claim With Bupa
Filing a claim with Bupa is quick and easy. You can do it online, via the MyBupa app, or by presenting your membership card to your healthcare provider.
Make a claim online:
- Login to myBupa
- Select ‘Make a claim’ from the dropdown menu on the home page
- Select a service from the dropdown list (e.g. hospital, medical)
- Confirm claim details and click Next
- Upload the official paid invoice and click Next
- Add or confirm your bank details
- Review the information and click Submit
Make a claim with the MyBupa app:
- Login to the app
- Tap ‘Claims’
- Select a service from the dropdown list (e.g. hospital, medical)
- Read and confirm the submission criteria, then press Start
- Answer any specific questions for the claim type
- Upload invoices by selecting ‘Attach Receipt’ and uploading a file, then press Next
- Confirm your bank account details, then press Next
- Confirm that you accept the terms and conditions, then press Submit
Compare Bupa’s Overseas Visitor Health Cover & Receive Your Policy Certificate In Minutes
When it comes to overseas visitor health cover, Bupa has a range of OVHC options for you to find the right fit for you.
When you sign up for cover, you will have already satisfied the 8501 condition of the Australian Department of Immigration’s working visa requirements. You will instantly obtain your visa compliance letter so you can begin applying for your visa to Australia.
Easily compare Bupa health insurance for overseas visitors with other providers using OVHC’s convenient online tool and get covered in minutes