Overseas cover explained

Choosing cover

How to join HBF

Start by getting a quote. We’ll ask for details such as the type of visa you hold and who will be included on your policy. Next, choose the level of cover that suits your needs. If your visa requires private health insurance, make sure you select one of our visa compliant options.

If you have any questions about joining HBF, call 133 423 (+61 8 9265 6111 if you’re overseas), Monday to Friday, 6:00am–6:00pm (AWST).

We are also happy to assist via an interpreter.

After you join

If you purchase your cover while outside of Australia, you’ll need to ensure your policy start date is within one month of your arrival.

If you apply for health cover as part of a visa requirement, we’ll provide the letter required by the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs so you can complete your visa application promptly.

If you’re already in Australia, we’ll send you a welcome pack containing your membership card(s) and policy documents.

Check out our simple how-to guides to assist you in managing your HBF cover online, anytime.

How to use my cover

You can start using your cover as soon as you’ve finished serving the waiting period applicable to the treatment or service you intend to receive. Before you make an appointment, we recommend you do the following:

1. Research Member Plus providers. We have agreements in place with providers across Australia, so choosing an HBF Member Plus provider can help you reduce any out-of-pocket costs that may apply.
2. Get a benefit quote. This will tell you exactly how much HBF will cover, and any out-of-pocket costs you may have to pay. Call us on 133 423, or for extras services such as dental and physiotherapy, get an instant extras benefit quote in myHBF. 

Using your hospital cover

 

Recently purchased overseas visitors health insurance?

You will find information in the related article about making a claim, waiting periods, using your extras cover, member benefits and more.

What are out-of-hospital medical fees?

Out-of-hospital medical fees include treatment from a medical practitioner that would be covered by Medicare for Australian residents, when you’re not admitted into a hospital or day-hospital facility. This also includes visits to your specialist before you’re admitted to hospital for any treatment or surgery.

Inpatient vs outpatient services

Put simply, an inpatient service is one provided to you after you have been admitted to hospital. An outpatient service is one that you receive without being formally admitted to hospital.

What if I get sick?

Is it an emergency?

An emergency is a serious illness or injury that poses an immediate risk to your life or long-term wellbeing.

In an emergency, call 000 (triple zero). They will send an ambulance to take you to hospital if required.

OVHC members are covered for unlimited emergency ambulance transport by road to any Australian hospital ED.

A non-emergency is an illness or injury that requires treatment but isn’t immediately life-threatening.

For non-emergency health concerns, make an appointment with your nearest doctor (general practitioner or GP). They will assess you and decide what treatment you may need. Our Standard Overseas Visitors and Working Visa Hospital and Medical insurance provide cover for appointments with a general practitioner.

How does HBF help with visits to the GP?

The Australian government sets a fee (known as the Medicare Benefits Schedule Fee, or MBS fee) for GP visits. As long as out-of-hospital medical services are included in your cover, HBF will pay 100% of the MBS fee for GP visits. Most of the time you’ll have to pay the GP’s fee first, then claim the benefit back from us afterwards. If your GP charges more than the MBS fee, the amount you get back from us may be less than the amount you paid and you'll have to pay any difference. This difference is called an out-of-pocket expense.

It’s a good idea to ask your GP what your appointment will cost before your visit.

Out-of-pocket expenses

An out-of-pocket expense (also known as a ‘gap’), is the difference between the fee charged by a provider (such as a GP or other specialist doctor) and the benefit HBF pays for the service.

Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a list of all the medical services subsidised by the Australian government for Australian residents, including visiting a GP or seeing a specialist, as well as the recommended fees for those services, known as the MBS fee. These fees are set by the Australian government and are subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Can I get anything back for the cost of medicine?

If you’re admitted to hospital, we’ll pay a benefit for medication you receive for treatment covered on your policy. HBF will fully cover the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) medications you receive while admitted to hospital less the cost of a co-payment per script. There is no limit on the number of times or the amount you can claim per year.

If you have Working Visa Hospital and Medical cover and are prescribed medication outside of hospital by a medical practitioner that is normally covered by the Australian government’s PBS for Australian residents, you’ll be able to make a claim to receive a benefit. Depending on the pharmaceuticals prescribed, you may need to pay a co-payment per script. You won’t receive a benefit for non-PBS pharmaceutical outside of hospital. If you would like cover for this, you may like to consider our Extras health insurance.