Bupa offers Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) for international visitors and temporary visa holders in Australia. If you are moving from a Student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Bupa may be one of the health insurance providers you consider when arranging suitable cover for your stay in Australia.
Bupa's Overseas Visitors Covers include hospital and medical cover, with the benefits available depending on the particular level of cover selected.
International graduates moving from a Student visa (subclass 500) to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) need to consider how their health insurance arrangements will change.
Bupa offers Overseas Visitors Cover designed for international visitors in Australia. Its current Visitors Insurance information explains that these covers provide hospital and medical benefits towards eligible services, subject to the particular product's terms, conditions, waiting periods, exclusions and benefit limits.
Before purchasing Bupa cover for your 485 visa, check the current product information carefully to make sure the policy is appropriate for your circumstances and any health insurance requirements applying to your visa. You can also learn more about visa condition 8501 and health insurance requirements for temporary visa holders in Australia.
The benefits available depend on the particular Bupa Overseas Visitors Cover you select.
Bupa states that its Overseas Visitors Covers include hospital and medical cover, providing benefits towards eligible costs associated with hospital admission for included services as well as a range of outpatient medical costs.
Depending on the product, cover may include benefits towards eligible:
The amount Bupa pays and any out-of-pocket expenses will depend on the policy, treatment and healthcare provider.
Always check the current Bupa product information before relying on a particular benefit.
Hospital treatment can be one of the most important considerations when comparing health insurance for a 485 visa.
Bupa Overseas Visitors Cover can provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment for services included under the particular policy. However, exclusions, waiting periods, excesses and other conditions may apply.
Before selecting a policy, consider:
A lower premium does not necessarily mean the policy will provide the level of hospital cover you require.
Bupa's Visitors Insurance guide states that its Overseas Visitors Covers include a range of outpatient medical costs in addition to hospital benefits.
Depending on the policy and service received, benefits may be available towards eligible medical services such as doctor consultations and other outpatient treatment.
You may still have an out-of-pocket cost if the healthcare provider charges more than the amount recognised or paid under your policy.
For this reason, check the medical benefit arrangements of the particular Bupa OVHC product rather than assuming every medical bill will be fully covered.
Ambulance costs can be significant in Australia, and arrangements differ between states and territories.
Bupa's Visitors Insurance information includes ambulance cover as part of the matters addressed under its Overseas Visitors Cover. The exact ambulance benefits and conditions depend on the applicable policy.
Check whether your selected Bupa product provides the ambulance cover appropriate for where you live and your circumstances.
If you want benefits for services outside standard hospital and medical cover, Bupa also allows eligible visitors to add extras cover.
Bupa states that extras cover may provide benefits towards non-medical health services such as:
The services included and applicable limits depend on the extras product selected.
Extras are not necessarily required simply because you hold a 485 visa, so consider whether the additional benefits justify the additional premium for your circumstances.
Waiting periods are particularly important if you have an existing medical condition or expect to require treatment soon after joining.
A waiting period means you may need to hold the policy for a specified period before you can claim certain benefits.
Whether a medical condition is treated as pre-existing and what waiting period applies depends on Bupa's current rules and the particular treatment or service involved.
Do not assume that every pre-existing condition has exactly the same waiting period.
If you have an existing condition or are currently receiving treatment, check directly with Bupa and review the applicable policy documents before changing cover. For a broader explanation, read our guide to pre-existing conditions and 485 visa health insurance, including how waiting periods may affect your cover.
If pregnancy and birth-related treatment may be important to you, check the particular Bupa policy carefully before purchasing.
Pregnancy-related services can be subject to specific cover requirements and waiting periods.
Before selecting cover, check:
Do not assume that all Bupa OVHC products provide the same pregnancy benefits.
Many 485 applicants previously held Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) while studying on a Student visa. If you are approaching graduation, read our guide to moving from a Student visa 500 to a Temporary Graduate visa 485 for more information about the transition.
When moving to a Temporary Graduate visa, consider the timing of your insurance carefully.
Before switching:
If you have already served waiting periods under another policy, ask Bupa how previous membership will be treated before changing insurers.
There is no single Bupa premium that applies to every 485 visa holder.
The cost can depend on factors including:
For this reason, compare the current Bupa premium with other available 485 health insurance options rather than relying on an old advertised price.
Also compare the benefits and potential out-of-pocket costs, not just the premium.
The way you claim can depend on the service received and your particular cover.
Bupa provides claims processes for its members, and its current claim form specifically recognises members on Overseas Visitors Cover.
Before making a claim:
For non-emergency treatment, it can be useful to understand your likely benefit before receiving treatment, particularly where significant costs are involved. For more information about the general claims process, see our How to Make a Claim on 485 Visa Health Insurance step-by-step guide.
Bupa provides digital and health-support services to eligible members.
Bupa has also offered virtual doctor services to eligible international visitors, although access depends on the member's cover.
Because digital services and eligibility can change, check the current Bupa member information to determine which services are included with the policy you are considering.
Bupa is one of the established health insurers offering Overseas Visitors Cover in Australia.
Whether Bupa is the best choice for you depends on your individual circumstances.
Consider:
Rather than choosing Bupa solely because of its brand, compare its current policy against other 485 visa health insurance options. You can also read our 485 Visa Health Insurance Guide to learn more about comparing OVHC costs, cover, waiting periods and other important policy features.
Bupa offers Overseas Visitors Cover for international visitors and temporary visa holders. Graduates moving onto a subclass 485 visa can consider the relevant Bupa visitors cover alongside other available health insurance options.
Bupa states that all its Overseas Visitors Covers include hospital and medical cover, subject to the services included under the particular product and its applicable terms and conditions.
Bupa's Overseas Visitors Covers provide benefits towards a range of outpatient medical costs. The benefit payable and any out-of-pocket amount depend on the particular cover and service.
Bupa allows visitors to add extras cover that may provide benefits towards services including dental, physiotherapy and optical services. Limits and conditions apply.
You can consider changing insurers, but check the commencement date of the new policy, continuity of cover and how waiting periods will be treated before cancelling your existing policy.
There is no single insurer that will be best for every 485 visa holder. Compare Bupa's premium, benefits, excess, waiting periods and exclusions against other available policies before deciding.
Bupa can be one of the providers you consider when choosing health insurance for your Temporary Graduate visa.
However, the most suitable policy depends on your budget, health needs, required benefits and individual circumstances.
Comparing Bupa with other available 485 visa health insurance options can help you assess differences in: