OSHC NIB health insurance for students in Australia

As you may already know, to travel to Australia with a student visa, it is mandatory to have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover). This is one of the few requirements set by the Australian government for granting this type of visa.

There are a few insurers that offer this type of health insurance. In this article, you will find all the information you need about the travel health insurance for international students offered by the insurer N.I.B. (OSHC NIB). Below, we outline the main coverages of OSHC NIB.

A) Inclusions of OSHC NIB insurance:

1. Hospital Services

• In public hospitals, it covers 100% of the cost of:

– Shared room
– Operating room expenses
– Emergency services in case of accident
– Post-operative services that do not require hospital stay

• In private hospitals, it covers 100% of the NIB agreed rate for:

– Private or shared room
– Operating room expenses
– Emergency services in case of accident

• 100% of the MBS rate for medical treatments in hospital. Includes:

– Doctors
– Specialists
– Pathology
– Diagnostic imaging

2. Services in clinics that are not hospitals:

• 85% of the MBS rate for specialists and daily health treatments such as:

– Pathology
– Diagnostic imaging

• MRI scans covered if the following requirements are met:

– Must be prescribed by a specialist
– The MRI must be listed on the MBS and have an eligible ITEM number
– The MRI must be performed in an MBS listed hospital/clinic

• General Practice (GP):

– 100% of the MBS rate for a consultation for daily health needs
– If the doctor charges a price higher than the MBS rate list, the insured will have to pay the difference

• Prostheses:

– 100% of the MBS rate for prostheses approved by the Federal Government of the state where the prosthesis is performed

• Prescription medication:

– $50 per prescribed medication listed on the PBS to be covered after payment at the pharmacy
– Annual limit of $300 covered for single policy
– Annual limit of $600 covered for family policy

• Ambulance:

– 100% of the cost of medical transportation provided by the Australian government ambulance service

B) Exclusions of OSHC NIB insurance:

• Infertility treatments
• Dentist, physiotherapist, or any other extra service not described in inclusions
• Services not covered by Medicare (MBS)
• Treatment outside Australia provided before arriving in Australia
• Medications not included in the PBS
• Transportation inside or outside Australia
• Damages related to third-party liability or work

C) How to register online for your OSHC NIB insurance?

• Go to this link
• Enter your email or policy number (customer number in English)
• Set a password for your user
• Fill in the required data form in the application
• Provide an Australian bank account in the application to make claims possible
• Download the app to manage everything from your mobile

D) Steps to follow if I get sick in Australia

• CHOOSE WHICH HOSPITAL I WANT TO GO TO. TWO OPTIONS:

1. Public hospitals: you can find them here.
2. Private hospitals contracted by NIB

– Check them at this link
– Enter the service offered and the location where to find the service. It is recommended to enter the neighborhood where you live to be more precise in the search

• PAYMENT:

1. Payment in advance for subsequent claim: this happens in most cases.

   – Pay at clinic/hospital
   – Pay for medication prescribed by the doctor at the pharmacy
   – Keep the consultation receipt (tax invoice) for the service in the clinic and medication
   – Upload the consultation receipt to the mobile application or computer in the claim option

2. Payment with NIB card: this will depend on the agreement NIB has with the clinic in question.

• OSHC NIB CONTACT DETAILS:

– Customer Service Phone Number: 13 16 42
– Office: 22 Honeysuckle Drive. Newcastle NSW 2300

E) Price table:

The cost of NIB’s OSHC health insurance will depend on the total duration of the visa. In this link, you will find the price list per month.

If you are thinking of coming to Australia, contact us, we will help you plan your trip. Of course, we will provide you with a personalized service so that you can also take out the health insurance that best suits your needs.

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