Allianz Care Australia OSHC Review

Allianz Care Australia OSHC complaints

We looked at the 2022 Ombudsman health insurance complaints. Here's how Allianz Care Australia (which is underwritten by Peoplecare) stacked up:

• It's a generally reliable and trustworthy service – it had a lower proportion of complaints than its market share.

• It had proportionally more complaints than Mildura, which also offers OSHC.

Allianz Care Australia OSHC eligibility, exclusions and waiting periods

Now let's take a look at Allianz Care Australia OSHC in more detail:

• Eligibility. To be eligible for cover, you must be an international student on a student visa (or applying for one) or an eligible spouse, de facto, child or stepchild of an international student.
• General exclusions. Benefits are not payable for IVF and assisted reproductive services, treatment outside Australia, treatment arranged prior to arrival in Australia, transport into or out of Australia, treatment covered by other entitlements and elective cosmetic surgery.
• Waiting periods. Waiting periods must be served for pre-existing medical conditions (12 months), pregnancy-related conditions (12 months) and pre-existing psychiatric conditions (no waiting period) unless deemed an emergency, in which case waiting periods may be waived.
• Excesses. No excesses are payable under Allianz Care Australia OSHC.

Are there any other Allianz Care Australia OSHC member benefits?

There are several benefits of the Allianz Care Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy:

• Meeting visa requirements: The Allianz Care OSHC policy is specifically designed for Student Visa holders studying in Australia, and it can help meet the visa requirement of having adequate health insurance coverage.
• Large health network: Allianz Care Australia has a large network of doctors and medical providers across the country, giving policyholders access to a wide range of healthcare options.
• 24/7 emergency assistance: Allianz Care Australia offers a 24/7 emergency and assistance phone line for policyholders, providing access to assistance whenever it is needed.
• MyHealth app: The Allianz MyHealth app allows policyholders to easily access their digital membership card, submit and track medical claims, and view policy details on their phone.
• Find a doctor tool: Allianz Care Australia's "find a doctor" tool helps policyholders locate healthcare professionals in their area who bill the insurer directly.
• Hospital in the Home treatment: For certain conditions, Allianz Care Australia offers a Hospital in the Home treatment model, allowing policyholders to receive medical care in the comfort of their own home.
• Telehealth services: Allianz Care Australia OSHC members have access to telehealth services through the Doctors on Demand platform, allowing them to speak with a qualified doctor via phone or video call at any time.

Are there any out-of-pocket costs for treatment?

It differs based on whether you're treated in-hospital or out-of-hospital:

In-hospital

If you are treated in a public hospital, there will not usually be any out-of-pocket costs, since public hospitals charge the exact fee stated in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Allianz Care Australia covers 100% of your MBS fee.

However, you may face out-of-pocket costs in a private hospital. One major reason for this is the gap charge. Private hospitals and doctors are free to charge over and above the MBS fee (this additional amount is called the gap).

Luckily, Allianz Care Australia has agreements in place with a wide network of private practitioners throughout Australia, with whom they've negotiated lower rates for their members. You can find these providers on the website or through the app.

Out-of-hospital

Your Allianz Care Australia policy will cover 100% of the MBS fee if you need to go to a GP. Some doctors charge more than this, and you'll be responsible for the difference (called the gap). If you don't want this extra charge, you'll need to look for a "bulk billing" practitioner. These doctors charge only the MBS fee, so you owe nothing.

Your policy also covers 85% of the MBS fee for specialist visits. If you visit a specialist, you'll be responsible for the additional 15% plus any gap. Unless you get OSHC extras cover, you won't be covered for other out-of-hospital expenses such as dental, physio or optical.

Why you can trust Finder's overseas health cover experts

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Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and you can compare multiple OVHC funds in Australia on the site (and find a better deal).

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Allianz Care Australia OSHC frequently asked questions

• What types of medical services are covered under the Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy?

  The Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy covers private and public hospital admissions, ambulance transportation, GP visits, medical tests, and prescription medicine. Some out-of-hospital medical services, such as specialist visits, pathology, and radiology, are also covered, though policyholders may incur out-of-pocket expenses for these services. Dental, optical, and physiotherapy care may be covered if policyholders opt for additional extras coverage.

• How much does the Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy cost?

  The cost of the Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy depends on the number of months of coverage you select. Policies start from around $46 per month, though policyholders may incur out-of-pocket expenses for medical care. It is important to note that the Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy is specifically designed for Student Visa holders, and those studying in Australia for less than a year may find it more cost-effective to select a shorter term of coverage.

• Does Allianz Care Australia OSHC include ambulance?

  Yes, Allianz Care Australia OSHC includes emergency ambulance services as standard. This covers the cost of emergency ambulance transportation Australia-wide.

• Who needs OSHC and how does it work?

  Most visitors applying for a Student Visa Subclass 500 will be required to take out private health insurance as a condition of their visa. This is known as condition 8501, and it states that the visa holder must maintain "adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia."

  You don't need to get OSHC if you're from a country covered by the RHCA (Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, or the UK). These countries have a healthcare agreement with Australia that let you access the Australian public health system (Medicare).

• What happens if I need treatment while I'm in Australia?

  If it's not life threatening, simply make an appointment with a GP. If you need emergency treatment you should call an ambulance or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. You should also call your OSHC insurer to make sure your policy will cover you for that admission.