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What are the waiting periods?

A waiting period is the time you need to wait after purchasing your policy and before cover is available for certain medical conditions. You cannot claim for medical treatment that is provided during the waiting period.

If you purchase Budget Visitors Cover or Standard Visitors Cover you’ll need to wait:

• 2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitative or palliative care.
• 12 months for pregnancy or pregnancy related condition.
• 12 months for pre-existing conditions.

Please also note that the start date of your policy will be a minimum of 14 days from the date of purchase.

For full details of the waiting periods, please refer to the Policy Wording.

What Allianz Care don’t cover?

We don't cover visits to the emergency department that do not result in an in-patient admission if you purchase our Budget Visitors Cover. That will only be covered if you purchase our Standard Visitors Cover.

If you purchase Budget or Standard Visitors Cover, we do not cover:

• Pre-existing medical conditions within the relevant waiting period.
• Assisted reproductive medical service (including IVF).
• Cosmetic surgery procedures.
• Physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, dental, optical or any other ancillary services.
• Medications, drugs or other treatments not prescribed by a doctor or other medical practitioner and dispensed by a registered pharmacist.
• For in patient treatment prescription medication not included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS).

If your policy ceases because you no longer hold an eligible visa, you will not be covered for any medical treatment. Check you are on an eligible visa or Contact us.

For a comprehensive list of all exclusions, please read the Policy Wording.

What are out-of-pocket fees?

You may incur an out-of-pocket fee (also known as a gap fee) if the amount a medical provider charges is more than the benefit you're entitled to under your cover.

For example, you purchase Standard Visitors Cover that includes local doctor (GP) consults. You visit a GP and are charged $60.00. The MBS fee at the time for a GP visit is $38.20*. Under the Standard Visitors Cover policy, we will cover you for 100% of the MBS fee. You will therefore receive $38.20 when you claim. The remaining amount ($21.80) is the out-of-pocket fee which you will need to pay the GP directly.

*MBS fee is subject to change without notice. We recommend you confirm all costs with your doctor or hospital before any procedure or consult so that you are aware of all costs including any out-of-pocket fee.

What are pre-existing conditions?

A pre-existing condition is an ailment, illness or condition, the signs or symptoms of which existed at any time 6 months prior to the start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance. This includes an undiagnosed ailment, illness or condition that was present at the time of your arrival in Australia or the date your eligible visa was granted, whichever is the later date.

For example, if you have been diagnosed with asthma within 6 months before arriving in Australia, this will be considered a pre-existing condition. You will need to wait the applicable waiting period before cover will be provided.

A pre-existing condition is determined by a medical practitioner, appointed by us, at the time of a claim arises. In forming an opinion, our appointed medical practitioner will refer to any information in relation to the ailment, illness or condition that your doctor provides us.

When does my cover start and finish?

Your cover starts on the later of the start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance, the date your eligible visa is granted, or the date of your arrival in Australia.

Your cover ceases on the date you depart from Australia, the date you cease to hold an eligible visa, the date the policy is cancelled or the end date shown on your certificate of insurance, whichever occurs first.

You can extend your cover while in Australia by calling 1300 727 193.

For full details of your cover and cancelling, please refer to the Policy Wording.

What is a hospital excess?

The excess is the amount you must pay upfront before a benefit is paid by us for overnight or same day hospital admissions under your policy. The excess is payable once per adult per financial year (1 July – 30 June). No excess applies to any children on your policy under the age of 18.

If your plan has a hospital excess payable, you will need to pay the excess amount towards your hospital treatment costs before we will pay any benefit.

Can I cancel my policy?

Your policy will continue until you choose to cancel it. To cancel, please contact Allianz Care Australia on 1300 727 193 before leaving Australia and advise that you are returning to your home country.

If you've set up automatic payments from your bank account or credit card, these payments will continue until you cancel your policy or you ask us to stop the payments.

Note: If you are eligible for a premium refund, any refunds for the unexpired portion of a policy will be calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis. We will not issue refunds for any period of less than one month.

The Australian Government requires relevant visa holders subject to visa condition 8501 to maintain adequate insurance for the entire length of you and your dependants stay in Australia. Please note, if your visa is subject to condition 8501 and you cancel your OVHC policy or you fail to renew your OVHC policy, Allianz Care Australia is required to inform the Department of Home Affairs.

If your visa is not subject to condition 8501, the Australian Government recommends you maintain adequate insurance for the entire length of you and your dependants stay in Australia.

For full details of your cover and cancelling, please refer to the Policy Wording.

Will I receive a certificate of insurance?

Yes. You will receive all relevant information including your Certificate of Insurance after purchasing your policy. You will also receive a copy by email.

Please note, that we cannot guarantee the security of information when sent via email.