lesbritten Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Hi all, I hoping that someone can help me answer the following question that we have been researching and asking. I have been fortunate enough to get a job in Brisbane, 482 visa submitted on Friday and am pencilling in a April 29th start date. The question that we have been asking is regarding health insurance that is part of the conditions of the visa. From my reading, the UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Oz, thus having adequate cover for visa purposes. This has been confirmed with the solicitors who are handling our application. However, would this reciprocal cover be to UK NHS standards? From my reading it is for “emergency” cover only i.e. for the odd broken arm. The second part of the question relates to pregnancy, my wife and I would ideally like to have another before it is too late. Thus, this would be the perfect time to have an addition to the family whilst my wife was out of work/before getting to heavily into a new job. However, on looking at the private insurances provided, there is a 12 month waiting period before they will cover any pre/post antenatal health care. As such, plans have been put on hold/changed (as I will be 40/1 on the arrival – that’s late enough for me) but I was wondering if this care would be covered under the reciprocal agreement. My wife has been asking about and we have been getting contradicting answers. Any wisdom here would be most welcome. Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 reciprocal Medicare covers medically essential treatment for temp visa holders. This is obviously more than emergency care. Pregnancy is covered in the public health system on this. However not the same as NHS as there may be a gap payment. Care will be good but you need to ask about fees. Often it will be assumed you have health insurance, you need to ask about options and if there will be additional fees. You will get used to it. It makes no sense to me. People with health insurance pay thousands for childbirth on top of insurance and yet in the public system it can be free. Maybe a posher bed but the public system here is comparable to NHS. It can depend where you live of course, again just like the NHS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 The agreement covers "medically necessary" care - pregnancy would sort of fall into that although it is neither illness nor accident (generally:-)). Australia has a co-pay system and though a lot of UK migrants seem intent on replicating the NHS and demanding free medical treatment, the bulk of Aussies co-pay, so each GP and specialist visit will cost you something and some scans could cost you something. Under medicare you get the doctor you get and you get treatment in public hospitals. Private health cover usually has the 12 months waiting period before cover for pregnancy. You could self insure of course and pay for any private cover and choose your own doctor and get a private room in hospital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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