Health Insurance for Kidney Disease

[D1986]

Hi all,

 

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask the following question. If not, I am really sorry and will delete it ASAP.

I have been thinking about migrating to Australia for a while. However, I have a medical condition called polycystic kidney disease, which pretty much guarantees dialysis about twice a week when I am in my fifties.

Can anyone please tell me if I can take out insurance as a permanent resident against this disease as dialysis could be fairly expensive.

I understand this is not a simple question since it has to involve a number of medical examinations and assessments; that being said, I would really like to know if there is any insurance plans I could take when all conditions or requirements were met.

I would be grateful if anyone could provide me with some info or direct me to the right forum for matters of this kind. Many thanks in advance.

[VERYSTORMY]

For purposes of migration, insurance isn't relevant to passing the medical as obviously someone could "promise to take insurance" but doesn't. 

From what you have posted it sounds like you would have significant issues passing the medical, as a result I would strongly recommend speaking to an expert such as George Lombard who is a registered migration agent who specialises in visas with medical complications. 

[rammygirl]

I agree. Whether to take out insurance is a decision to be looked at once you have a visa. With a PR visa you will get Medicare which may well be sufficient. Insurance will be available as they have to cover existing conditions. 

You main hurdle will be getting the visa.  If your condition will be expensive to treat or prejudice access to scarce resources (there are specific definitions) then your visa will be refused. Some visas like partner visas do have a possible health waiver. 

You should consult an agent as above. It will be worth paying to assess your particular circumstances as visa fees are not refundable and run to thousands of dollars. Also if you do decide to apply an agent can ensure you make the best possible case. 

Dialysis may well be a resource under stress and eventually you may need a transplant. I realise that you can still work etc. I had a friend with the same condition, she eventually had a transplant in her late forties as her kidney function took a dive after 4 years of dialysis. She was lucky and kept her job but had to take a lot of time out and eventually early retirement. 

 

[Marisawright]

As others have said, your first step is to find out whether you can get a visa.

To migrate to Australia, you need a visa.  To get a visa, you must undergo a medical exam.   Immigration will then look at the likely lifetime cost of your health condition.  There is a threshold figure.  If they decide that your lifetime cost will be more than the threshold, you can't be granted a visa. 

You can't get around it by offering to take out health insurance, because once you've got an Australian visa, the government can't force you to maintain your insurance.  So Immigration has to assume you will be receiving all your treatment on Medicare (the equivalent of the NHS), i.e. at the taxpayer's expense. 

So, your first step should be to consult a migration agent experienced with medical conditions, who has probably done it all before and can tell you what your chances are.  There may be a fee, but better that than spending thousands on a visa application that has no chance.  

To answer your original question, yes, once you are living in Australia on a permanent visa, then you will be able to get health insurance.  Unlike the US, Australian health insurers can't refuse to cover pre-existing conditions.  However you'd be well advised to take out health insurance as soon as you arrive, rather than waiting until your forties or fifties, because there are penalty rates if you join health insurance later in life.

Edited April 26, 2019 by Marisawright