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Medical insurance in OZ?


Pine and Riana Pienaar

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Can anyone clarify for me the process? When do you qualify?

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I presume you are talking of the government Medicare system and not private medical insurance? I am going to presume that you are, so here is the answer for Medicare.

If you come to Australia under a 457 you are not eligible for Medicare, however, as soon as you have submitted your application for PR and can show that you have done so, then you can apply for Medicare.

If you come to Australia on PR you have immediate Medicare cover, you apply as soon as you arrive and within about a week you will get your Medicare card.

Medicare is not an optional thing, everyone pays it, whether you use it or not, it is 1,5% of your gross income per year.

Most people also have some sort of private cover, especially for hospitalisation, so that they do not have to go onto a waiting list to have a procedure done and so that they can go to the doctor or specialist of their choice.

Hope this has answered your question.

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Mara,

Thanks indeed. Seems you have been down the road and have answers to may of the issues. Appreciate.

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No problem, that is what we are here for, paying it forward!

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We hope to be coming to Adelaide on a 457 visa so will not be eligable for Medicare initially. What can one expect to pay for private medical insurance on average - family of 6 (4 kids under 12 years) ?

Appreciate any info

Cheryl.

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Hi Cheryl

Unfortunately us 457's pay a small fortune when it comes to private insurance, we pay $350 a month 2 adults 1 child. Although it still doesn't compare to what we paid in SA. We have to take overseas visitors insurance, not just the run of the mill private insurance which has higher premiums then its does for PR and citizens. Most private insurers have websites, where you can gauge the costs. The other thing here it seems you pay the same for 1 child as you do for 4, I say this because they only give you a family option with children, not with number of children.

The insurers you can try are medibank, manchester unity, HBF

Medibank says you will pay $406.60

http://www.medibank.com.au/Client/StaticPa...n/VC/quote.aspx

manchester Unity is anything from $240 - $420 we are on this one as it was the cheapest

http://www.medibank.com.au/Client/StaticPa...n/VC/quote.aspx

Hope this helps

Candice

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Hi there

Here is a list of Health Insurers offering overseas health cover as of May 2008.

Health Insurers for visitors to Australia

Edited by AndreaL
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If you come to Australia under a 457 you are not eligible for Medicare.

Morning Mara,

If a very healthy and athletic person arrives in Oz on a 457, can he or she opt NOT to purchase private health insurance cover,or are they legally bound to purchase private cover ?

Many thanks,

CTTN

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Hi CTTN

Private medical insurance is a condition of your 457 visa. You HAVE to buy it.

Candice

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