Hi
I am rising this issue as I have NEVER seen anyone complaining about it but it's serious. For the 485 visa we are required to maintain a health insurance coverage throughout the entire visa duration.
To do so, I signed up for Medibank 485 Visa cover, and I pay almost $80 per month for meeting the visa condition. However, last week I got very sick and I needed to see a GP, and here comes the surprise!!!! Not a single General Practitioner in Melbourne would accept the Worker insurance for bulk billing. I searched and visited over 15 clinics, all asked for upfront payment. I saw the Dr twice, I had to pay $230 in total. When I submitted the claim for the insurance company, they gave me back $74 only!!!
This mean that EVEN if I am paying $80/pm for private health insurance, I still have to pay for GP every time I see a Dr for consultation (Fees range from $60-$120 per doctor visit) as they bill me as a private patient, and the insurance company would only refund me later with $38 (MBS fees only). No gap fee covered. Total ripoff !!!!!!
So in summary:
The insurance coverage for workers is the worst among all. Students (OSHC) and Visitors (OVHC) have much much better coverage and most clinics will bulk bill their visits without any payment from patients. However, work visa holders - beside having the most expensive insurance, still have to pay full price upfront at every visit.
My question now.
I'm a 485 visa holder (worker)
Can I switch to a Visitor Health Coverage instead of a Worker Health Coverage and still fulfill the visa condition?
(Condition # 8501 to maintain adequate health coverage)
I am rising this issue as I have NEVER seen anyone complaining about it but it's serious. For the 485 visa we are required to maintain a health insurance coverage throughout the entire visa duration.
To do so, I signed up for Medibank 485 Visa cover, and I pay almost $80 per month for meeting the visa condition. However, last week I got very sick and I needed to see a GP, and here comes the surprise!!!! Not a single General Practitioner in Melbourne would accept the Worker insurance for bulk billing. I searched and visited over 15 clinics, all asked for upfront payment. I saw the Dr twice, I had to pay $230 in total. When I submitted the claim for the insurance company, they gave me back $74 only!!!
This mean that EVEN if I am paying $80/pm for private health insurance, I still have to pay for GP every time I see a Dr for consultation (Fees range from $60-$120 per doctor visit) as they bill me as a private patient, and the insurance company would only refund me later with $38 (MBS fees only). No gap fee covered. Total ripoff !!!!!!
So in summary:
The insurance coverage for workers is the worst among all. Students (OSHC) and Visitors (OVHC) have much much better coverage and most clinics will bulk bill their visits without any payment from patients. However, work visa holders - beside having the most expensive insurance, still have to pay full price upfront at every visit.
My question now.
I'm a 485 visa holder (worker)
Can I switch to a Visitor Health Coverage instead of a Worker Health Coverage and still fulfill the visa condition?
(Condition # 8501 to maintain adequate health coverage)