Compare Allianz Care vs BUPA vs. HCF
Compare Allianz Care vs BUPA vs. HCF
Compare Allianz Care vs. BUPA vs. HCF for Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
When visiting Australia on a 600, 601, 651, or 870 visa, choosing the right Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is critical. OVHC helps you manage medical costs, may satisfy visa condition 8501, and ensures access to quality healthcare. Below is a comparison of Allianz Care, BUPA, and HCF, focusing on key OVHC products, their coverage, waiting periods, and visa compliance.
1. Allianz Care
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS): https://www.allianzcare.com.au/content/dam/onemarketing/azpau/allianzcare/docs/policy/imp2593-ovhc-visitors.pdf
a) Budget Visitors Cover
Coverage & Features
-
In-hospital treatment only (hospital accommodation, theatre, prostheses).
-
Emergency ambulance included.
-
Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
-
Annual benefit limit: AUD 1,000,000 per person.
-
Excess: $500 per hospital admission.
Waiting Periods
-
2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitative, or palliative care.
-
12 months for pre-existing medical conditions.
-
12 months for pregnancy-related conditions.
-
Cover starts 14 days after policy purchase i.e., one has to purchase this policy at least 14 days in advance before coming to Australia
Pros
-
Affordable hospital coverage.
-
Visa 8501-compliant.
-
Covers cardiovascular treatments.
Cons
-
No outpatient is covered means No GP and No medical tests such as Radiology or Pathology are covered
-
Waiting periods apply.
-
Hospital excess $500.
b) Standard Visitors Cover
Coverage & Features
-
Comprehensive hospital and out-of-hospital coverage (GPs, specialists, prescription medicines).
-
Emergency ambulance included.
-
Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
-
Telehealth via Allianz Doctors on Demand.
-
Excess: $500 per hospital admission.
Waiting Periods
-
Same as Budget Visitors Cover : 2 months psychiatric, 12 months pre-existing, 12 months pregnancy, 14-day start delay.
Pros
-
Broad coverage including GP visits, Medical tests such as Radiology and Pathology, specialist Visits, and prescriptions.
-
Visa 8501-compliant.
-
Covers cardiovascular conditions.
Cons
-
Higher premiums than Budget Visitors Cover
-
Waiting periods apply.
-
$500 hospital excess.
2. BUPA – Explorer Visitors Cover
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS):
Coverage & Features
-
Hospital accommodation and treatment in public/private hospitals.
-
GP and specialist visits included.
-
Excess: $250 per policy year (hospital).
-
Does not cover heart and cardiovascular treatments.
Waiting Periods
-
12 months for psychiatric treatments.
-
12 months for pre-existing conditions.
-
14 days for certain inpatient treatments.
Pros
-
Balanced coverage for hospital and outpatient.
-
Strong provider network.
Cons
-
Not 8501-compliant.
-
Excludes cardiovascular/heart coverage.
-
Waiting periods apply.
-
$250 excess.
3. HCF – Essentials Plus (Overseas Visitors)
Product Disclosure Statements (PDS):
-
HCF Overseas Visitors Short Stay PDS -
https://www.hcf.com.au/content/dam/hcf/pdf/brochures/Overseas-Visitors-Short-Stay-ON.pdf
-
HCF Essentials Plus PDS -
https://www.hcf.com.au/content/dam/hcf/pdf/brochures/Overseas-Visitors-Essentials-Plus-ON.pdf
Coverage & Features
-
Hospital accommodation, theatre, prostheses.
-
In-hospital doctors and specialists.
-
Emergency ambulance included.
-
Diagnostic tests and PBS-listed prescriptions included.
-
Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
-
Flexible excess: $250, $500, or $750 per policy year.
Waiting Periods
-
No waiting period for most hospital services (except pre-existing conditions).
-
12 months for pre-existing conditions.
-
No waiting for emergency ambulance.
Pros
-
Flexible excess options.
-
Strong hospital and diagnostic coverage.
-
Covers cardiovascular treatments.
Cons
-
Not 8501-compliant.
-
Potential out-of-pocket costs with non-network providers.
-
Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
4. 8501 Visa Condition for Overseas Visitors
What is Condition 8501?
Visa condition 8501 requires certain visitor visa holders (subclass 600, 601, 651, 870) to maintain adequate health insurance for their stay.
Compliance Status of OVHC Providers:
-
Allianz Care – Only provider meeting 8501, suitable for visa holders requiring compliance.
-
BUPA – Not 8501-compliant, cannot be used to meet visa requirements.
-
HCF Essentials Plus – Not 8501-compliant, suitable for general coverage only.
5. Summary Comparison Table
Provider / Product
Major Cover
Waiting Periods
8501 Compliance
Strengths
Limitations
Allianz Care – Budget Visitors
Hospital only
2m psychiatric, 12m pre-existing, 12m pregnancy, 14d start
Yes
Affordable, cardiovascular coverage
No outpatient coverage, $500 excess
Allianz Care – Standard Visitors
Hospital + GP + Specialist + Scripts
Same as Budget
Yes
Broad coverage, telehealth, cardiovascular coverage
Higher premiums, $500 excess
BUPA – Explorer Visitors
Hospital + GP + Specialist
12m psychiatric, 12m pre-existing, 14d certain treatments
No
Strong network, balanced coverage
Not 8501-compliant, no cardiovascular coverage, $250 excess
HCF – Essentials Plus
Hospital + Diagnostics + PBS Medicines + Ambulance
12m pre-existing, no waiting for emergency/non-pre-existing
No
Flexible excess (250/500/750), strong hospital/diagnostic, cardiovascular coverage
Not 8501-compliant, gap costs possible
6. Choosing the Right OVHC
-
Allianz Care: Only provider meeting 8501, covers cardiovascular health, best for visa-compliant needs.
-
BUPA Explorer: Balanced coverage but not 8501-compliant and excludes cardiovascular coverage.
-
HCF Essentials Plus: Flexible excess and cardiovascular coverage, not 8501-compliant, waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
7. Final Notes
Choosing the right OVHC depends on:
-
Visa requirements – especially if condition 8501 applies.
-
Health needs – hospital, GP, diagnostics, cardiovascular care, repatriation.
-
Budget – premiums, excess options ($250, $500, $750), out-of-pocket costs.
-
Length of stay – longer stays may justify more comprehensive coverage.
-
Risk profile – pre-existing conditions and likelihood of medical needs.
To compare and obtain OVHC from Australia’s top providers in one place, visit www.600visainsurance.com.au. For prompt assistance, call or send a WhatsApp message to +61 479 070 270.
Investing in the right health cover protects you from unexpected medical costs and ensures your stay in Australia is safe, comfortable, and compliant with visa requirements.
Compare Allianz Care vs. BUPA vs. HCF for Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
When visiting Australia on a 600, 601, 651, or 870 visa, choosing the right Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is critical. OVHC helps you manage medical costs, may satisfy visa condition 8501, and ensures access to quality healthcare. Below is a comparison of Allianz Care, BUPA, and HCF, focusing on key OVHC products, their coverage, waiting periods, and visa compliance.
1. Allianz Care
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS): https://www.allianzcare.com.au/content/dam/onemarketing/azpau/allianzcare/docs/policy/imp2593-ovhc-visitors.pdf
a) Budget Visitors Cover
Coverage & Features
- In-hospital treatment only (hospital accommodation, theatre, prostheses).
- Emergency ambulance included.
- Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
- Annual benefit limit: AUD 1,000,000 per person.
- Excess: $500 per hospital admission.
Waiting Periods
- 2 months for psychiatric, rehabilitative, or palliative care.
- 12 months for pre-existing medical conditions.
- 12 months for pregnancy-related conditions.
- Cover starts 14 days after policy purchase i.e., one has to purchase this policy at least 14 days in advance before coming to Australia
Pros
- Affordable hospital coverage.
- Visa 8501-compliant.
- Covers cardiovascular treatments.
Cons
- No outpatient is covered means No GP and No medical tests such as Radiology or Pathology are covered
- Waiting periods apply.
- Hospital excess $500.
b) Standard Visitors Cover
Coverage & Features
- Comprehensive hospital and out-of-hospital coverage (GPs, specialists, prescription medicines).
- Emergency ambulance included.
- Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
- Telehealth via Allianz Doctors on Demand.
- Excess: $500 per hospital admission.
Waiting Periods
- Same as Budget Visitors Cover : 2 months psychiatric, 12 months pre-existing, 12 months pregnancy, 14-day start delay.
Pros
- Broad coverage including GP visits, Medical tests such as Radiology and Pathology, specialist Visits, and prescriptions.
- Visa 8501-compliant.
- Covers cardiovascular conditions.
Cons
- Higher premiums than Budget Visitors Cover
- Waiting periods apply.
- $500 hospital excess.
2. BUPA – Explorer Visitors Cover
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS):
Coverage & Features
- Hospital accommodation and treatment in public/private hospitals.
- GP and specialist visits included.
- Excess: $250 per policy year (hospital).
- Does not cover heart and cardiovascular treatments.
Waiting Periods
- 12 months for psychiatric treatments.
- 12 months for pre-existing conditions.
- 14 days for certain inpatient treatments.
Pros
- Balanced coverage for hospital and outpatient.
- Strong provider network.
Cons
- Not 8501-compliant.
- Excludes cardiovascular/heart coverage.
- Waiting periods apply.
- $250 excess.
3. HCF – Essentials Plus (Overseas Visitors)
Product Disclosure Statements (PDS):
- HCF Overseas Visitors Short Stay PDS -
https://www.hcf.com.au/content/dam/hcf/pdf/brochures/Overseas-Visitors-Short-Stay-ON.pdf
- HCF Essentials Plus PDS -
https://www.hcf.com.au/content/dam/hcf/pdf/brochures/Overseas-Visitors-Essentials-Plus-ON.pdf
Coverage & Features
- Hospital accommodation, theatre, prostheses.
- In-hospital doctors and specialists.
- Emergency ambulance included.
- Diagnostic tests and PBS-listed prescriptions included.
- Covers heart and cardiovascular treatments.
- Flexible excess: $250, $500, or $750 per policy year.
Waiting Periods
- No waiting period for most hospital services (except pre-existing conditions).
- 12 months for pre-existing conditions.
- No waiting for emergency ambulance.
Pros
- Flexible excess options.
- Strong hospital and diagnostic coverage.
- Covers cardiovascular treatments.
Cons
- Not 8501-compliant.
- Potential out-of-pocket costs with non-network providers.
- Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
4. 8501 Visa Condition for Overseas Visitors
What is Condition 8501?
Visa condition 8501 requires certain visitor visa holders (subclass 600, 601, 651, 870) to maintain adequate health insurance for their stay.
Compliance Status of OVHC Providers:
- Allianz Care – Only provider meeting 8501, suitable for visa holders requiring compliance.
- BUPA – Not 8501-compliant, cannot be used to meet visa requirements.
- HCF Essentials Plus – Not 8501-compliant, suitable for general coverage only.
5. Summary Comparison Table
|
Provider / Product |
Major Cover |
Waiting Periods |
8501 Compliance |
Strengths |
Limitations |
|
Allianz Care – Budget Visitors |
Hospital only |
2m psychiatric, 12m pre-existing, 12m pregnancy, 14d start |
Yes |
Affordable, cardiovascular coverage |
No outpatient coverage, $500 excess |
|
Allianz Care – Standard Visitors |
Hospital + GP + Specialist + Scripts |
Same as Budget |
Yes |
Broad coverage, telehealth, cardiovascular coverage |
Higher premiums, $500 excess |
|
BUPA – Explorer Visitors |
Hospital + GP + Specialist |
12m psychiatric, 12m pre-existing, 14d certain treatments |
No |
Strong network, balanced coverage |
Not 8501-compliant, no cardiovascular coverage, $250 excess |
|
HCF – Essentials Plus |
Hospital + Diagnostics + PBS Medicines + Ambulance |
12m pre-existing, no waiting for emergency/non-pre-existing |
No |
Flexible excess (250/500/750), strong hospital/diagnostic, cardiovascular coverage |
Not 8501-compliant, gap costs possible |
6. Choosing the Right OVHC
- Allianz Care: Only provider meeting 8501, covers cardiovascular health, best for visa-compliant needs.
- BUPA Explorer: Balanced coverage but not 8501-compliant and excludes cardiovascular coverage.
- HCF Essentials Plus: Flexible excess and cardiovascular coverage, not 8501-compliant, waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
7. Final Notes
Choosing the right OVHC depends on:
- Visa requirements – especially if condition 8501 applies.
- Health needs – hospital, GP, diagnostics, cardiovascular care, repatriation.
- Budget – premiums, excess options ($250, $500, $750), out-of-pocket costs.
- Length of stay – longer stays may justify more comprehensive coverage.
- Risk profile – pre-existing conditions and likelihood of medical needs.
To compare and obtain OVHC from Australia’s top providers in one place, visit www.600visainsurance.com.au. For prompt assistance, call or send a WhatsApp message to +61 479 070 270.
Investing in the right health cover protects you from unexpected medical costs and ensures your stay in Australia is safe, comfortable, and compliant with visa requirements.
