Can I suspend my Australian health insurance policy while overseas?

Yes, all Australian health funds allow you to suspend your domestic health insurance policy if you're heading overseas. Your time spent abroad will have to fall within a minimum and maximum trip length threshold for your policy to be eligible for suspension and these periods vary between providers. Additional rules enforced by health funds can include the following. Premium contributions must up to date, and in some cases paid in advance of your date of departure. The policyholder must have held cover for a certain period of time, typically 12 months. The suspension period does not count towards waiting periods. Suspension for overseas travel can only be applied for once a year. Remember to check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact your health fund directly if you are planning to suspend cover, as each provider will have their own guidelines.

What is Australian expat health insurance?

Australian expat health insurance is a specialist type of health cover that you can get if you're an Australian citizen working and living overseas. It can be particularly helpful if the healthcare in the country you are in is expensive or poorer quality than you are used to.

Do you need health insurance if you're living overseas?

You might be covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) Australia has in place with many countries or you can sometimes get health insurance cover in the country you're in. Alternatively, you can take out a policy in Australia that will cover you overseas.

Does international health insurance for Australian expats cover repatriation?

Yes, most international health insurance policies for Aussie expats will cover you automatically for medical repatriation across the world. In some cases, you might need to pay extra to get it included in your policy.