Health Insurance For 870 Visa

 Compare health insurance quotes for visitors to Australia on a Sponsored Parent 870 visa.

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, updated on July 6th, 2023       

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We’ve partnered with Compare Club to bring you a range of health insurance policies to help you compare them side by side.

Are you considering sponsoring your parents for a visit to Australia on an 870 visa? If so, you’ll need to buy health insurance to comply with your visa conditions. Savvy can help you compare your options and find health insurance coverage suitable for your needs. 

By comparing with us, you can receive a range of quotes from a panel of some of Australia’s leading health insurers. Choose between basic and comprehensive coverage for hospital and extras cover, knowing that all quotes you receive will comply with subclass 870 visa health insurance conditions. Get your health insurance needs sorted out through Savvy today. 

How do I get health insurance which complies with conditions for an 870 visa?

If you're planning to apply for a subclass 870 visa in Australia, one of the requirements of the Australian Government is to have adequate private health insurance. This health insurance should cover the duration of your parent’s stay in the country (up to three or five years per visa) and will assist with the costs of medical treatment that may not be covered by Medicare or a reciprocal health agreement with your country of birth. 

To fulfil the requirement to have adequate health insurance, you can buy an Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) policy which complies with this requirement. This type of health insurance is offered by several providers in Australia and can be customised according to your parent’s coverage needs. Policies are available for a single person or a couple.  

In order to meet the government’s 8501 visa requirement, which specifies what ‘adequate’ health insurance is, your plan must include the following coverage: 

  • Hospital cover, which provides coverage for expenses related to receiving treatment in a public hospital 
  • Ambulance cover, which covers the costs of emergency transportation to hospital 
  • Medications which fall under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 
  • All treatments listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) 

Savvy can help you get your health insurance requirements sorted out quickly and easily. All you need to do is fill out a simple online form providing information about your parents and the level of cover they want. Once you've submitted the form, a health insurance specialist will get in touch to discuss your needs and guide you through the process of getting your visa-compliant health insurance in place. 

It's possible to buy your insurance policy in advance of your arrival in Australia. You just need to nominate the policy start date, which will be your parent’s arrival day in the country. Once you've paid for the first month of coverage, you'll receive a confirmation of coverage letter via email. This letter can be submitted along with your parent’s visa application to prove that the required health insurance is in place. 

How do I compare health insurance policies for an 870 visa?

When considering health insurance policies for the subclass 870 visa in Australia, it's important to ask yourself the following questions: 

  • Does the policy offer extras cover, which includes services provided outside of a hospital, such as optical and dental services? 
  • What are the inclusions and exclusions of the extras cover? 
  • Are there waiting periods before you can claim extras benefits? 
  • Does the policy provide coverage for ambulance transport by air and road? 
  • Is there an overall benefit limit for the policy? 
  • Does it cover the cost of visiting a general practitioner (GP)? 
  • Are there any excesses required if you're admitted to hospital? If so, how much will you be required to pay? 
  • Is there any provision for repatriation to your home country in the case of severe illness or death? 

Considering these questions can help you make an informed decision when selecting a health insurance policy for your 870 visa in Australia. 

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Types of health insurance

Hospital cover

This can help you pay for medical treatment if you need to be admitted to hospital. It can help cover the cost of your admission or accommodation and the fees charged by doctors, surgeons and anaesthetists. It can also cover other costs associated with a stay in a private hospital.

Extras cover

This helps cover the costs of health care treatments outside a hospital setting which aren’t covered by Medicare. This can include major and minor dental treatment, orthodontics, hearing aids, physiotherapy, glasses, contact lenses and podiatry (in most cases with annual limits).

Cover for singles

This is a standard health insurance policy designed for a single person, rather than being tailored to cater to the needs of a couple or family. It may include hospital cover plus extras, or either of these types of insurance on their own, depending on what you're after for your health cover.

Cover for families

A family health insurance policy is designed for a family unit including dependent children who may reach up to 31 years of age with some insurers. It offers private health insurance suitable for the whole family and may include shared limits for all members included in your policy.

Cover for seniors

A health insurance policy aimed at seniors is designed to appeal to people who are in the second half of their life. These are often specific Silver Plus policies that offer the same cover as other health insurance policies, with the exception that pregnancy and childbirth cover may not be included.

OVHC

Visitors who are in Australia on a temporary basis for travel, work or study may be able to take out Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Many visas issued in Australia come with a requirement to take out this type of insurance, which covers visitors who may not be covered by Medicare.

Ambulance cover

Ambulance cover is generally available either packaged into your private health insurance or on its own as a separate policy or subscription. By having this protection, you could be covered for all eligible ambulance travel in Australia (subject to your insurer's terms and conditions).

Basic hospital cover

The cheapest and most barebones form of private hospital insurance, this can include cover for rehab, in-hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. Having this policy will enable you to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

Bronze hospital cover

Bronze hospital cover is a step up from basic insurance, including 18 further clinical categories such as ear, nose and throat, bone, joint and muscle, digestive system, joint reconstructions, gynaecology and chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Silver hospital cover

Silver hospital cover is the second-most expensive type of policy and offers the second-most clinical categories. On top of what's offered by basic and bronze cover, it also includes heart and vascular system, lung and chest, blood, hearing device implantation and dental surgery.

Gold hospital cover

The highest level of private hospital insurance available in Australia, gold policies can offer cover for pregnancy and birth, weight loss surgery, assisted reproductive services and insulin pumps on top of all the categories provided by silver, bronze and basic hospital insurance.

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Frequently asked questions about health insurance for an 870 visa

Are there any waiting periods for health insurance coverage for 870 visa holders in Australia?

There may be waiting periods ranging from two months for most treatments up to a year for pre-existing conditions. However, the waiting periods which apply may depend on the health insurance policy you buy and the specific treatments which are covered.  

What isn’t included in health insurance plans for 870 visa holders in Australia?

Certain medical procedures and treatments may not be covered by your health insurance policy for the 870 visa. These can include: 

  • Surgery which is considered elective or cosmetic, like facelifts, tummy tucks and laser eye surgery  
  • Some alternative therapies and medicines, such as hypnotherapy or acupuncture, may not be covered under your policy 
  • Medical treatments like stem cell, bone marrow, and organ transplants may not be covered 
  • Treatments received outside of Australia (even if they're related to an emergency while en route to or from the country) may also not be covered by your policy
Does it matter if my parents have pre-existing health conditions when I apply for health insurance for an 870 visa?

No – it doesn’t matter if your parents have pre-existing health conditions when you apply for health insurance for an 870 visa. Health insurance providers in Australia cannot refuse to cover someone or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. 

Will my parents have to undergo a medical examination to get health insurance cover for their 870 visa?

No – your parents won't have to undergo a medical examination to get health insurance cover for their 870 visa. Health insurance providers in Australia can't ask for medical examinations or refuse to cover someone based on their health status. However, as mentioned, waiting periods may apply before certain benefits become available. 

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Savvy’s comparison service is provided by Compare Club. Compare Club compares selected products from a panel of trusted insurers and does not compare all products in the market.

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