nib Talks Overseas Student Health Cover With Canstar

Canstar caught up with nib about their award-winning Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policies in 2017.

This year, Canstar congratulates nib for winning the 2017 Canstar Overseas Student Health Cover Award.

We caught up with John-Paul Kelly, General Manager International Visitors at nib about nib’s win and what students need to know about OSHC insurance.

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Q: How far in advance of arriving in Australia should students start to organise their health insurance cover?

It is a Department of Immigration requirement to hold OSHC; therefore, students must have adequate health insurance while in Australia.

When applying through nib, an OSHC Confirmation Certificates can be received in minutes from applying. However, the application can be received up to 2 years in advance of the OSHC policy becoming active.

On average, we see students organising their health insurance 2 to 3 months [before] arriving [in Australia], depending on their country of origin.

Q: What are the payment options for student health cover?

All students are required to pay for their student health cover in full in advance for the length of their Visa. The majority of payments (approximately 85%) are made via credit card transaction or through a direct deposit process (direct debit).

Q: Do you receive many enquiries from customers who have extended their Visa and are looking to extend their health cover to match?

nib receives multiple queries from customers in respect of extending health cover to match an extension of their Visa. As it is a Department of Immigration requirement to hold OSHC, the student must extend their insurance with the provider before being granted the Visa extension.

Extending health cover to match an extension of a Visa can be a regular occurrence, particularly for students where they may take initial studies (e.g. English studies) and then progress to an undergraduate course followed by a post graduate course.

Q: What are the common claims that you see?

GP consultations are the primary claims, followed by Pathology [e.g. blood tests, X-rays] and Emergency.

Q: What’s the best way to organise student health cover when studying in Australia?

The best way to organise is through an approved OSHC provider, e.g. nib. This can occur online, via our call centre, in person, or through one of our many relationships with Education Agents.

Canstar congratulates nib on its outstanding achievement. Further information on the Award, methodology and star ratings results can be accessed here:

Overseas Student Health Cover Star Ratings – Canstar

You can compare nib OSHC policies on our website. Please see the comparison table below which displays a snapshot of the current products available. Please note that this table has been formulated based on a 1 year study visa in NSW :

The inclusions mentioned represent a selection of what is covered at the time of writing. Additional terms and conditions may apply to different features. Additional fees may apply to the product. Canstar is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about this product. Please ensure that you read the product disclosure statement (PDS) to determine all the current options and inclusions for the product you are considering.

Compare other OSHC policies here:

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