Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Lohanna Reis

 

 

The Australian healthcare system is known as Medicare and is a publicly funded and universal healthcare system that provides access to medical services for all Australian citizens and permanent residents. Here’s how the Australian healthcare system works:

1. Medicare: Medicare is the cornerstone of Australia’s healthcare system. It is a government-funded scheme that covers a significant portion of the cost of medical services and treatments. Medicare is funded through the general taxation system.
2. Bulk Billing: Many medical practitioners in Australia offer “bulk billing,” which means they accept the Medicare benefit as full payment for their services. In this case, patients do not have to pay anything out of pocket. However, not all doctors bulk bill, and some may charge additional fees, which patients are responsible for paying.
3. Medicare Card: Every Australian citizen and permanent resident is eligible for a Medicare card. This card allows individuals to access a wide range of medical services, including visits to doctors, specialists, and hospitals, at a reduced cost.
4. Primary Care: Most people start their healthcare journey by visiting a general practitioner (GP), who serves as their primary care physician. GPs can diagnose and treat common health issues and can refer patients to specialists or for hospital care if needed.
    
5. Specialists: If a GP determines that a patient needs specialized care, they can refer the patient to specialists. Medicare covers a portion of the costs associated with specialist consultations and treatments.
6. Hospitals: Public hospitals in Australia are funded by the government and provide free or heavily subsidized healthcare services to eligible patients. Medicare covers a portion of the hospital costs. In emergencies, patients can go to the nearest public hospital for treatment.
7. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Australia has a subsidized prescription medication system known as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Under this scheme, patients pay a reduced cost for most prescription medications. The government covers the rest of the cost.
8. Private Health Insurance: While Medicare covers a substantial portion of healthcare costs, some individuals choose to take out private health insurance. Private health insurance can provide additional benefits, such as access to private hospitals and shorter waiting times for elective surgeries.
9. Medicare Levy: Australians are required to pay a Medicare Levy as part of their income tax. This levy helps fund the Medicare system. Some individuals may also have to pay a Medicare Levy Surcharge if they earn above a certain income threshold and do not have private health insurance.
10. Medicare Safety Net: The Medicare Safety Net provides additional financial protection for people with high healthcare costs. Once an individual or family reaches a certain threshold of out-of-pocket medical expenses in a calendar year, Medicare increases its benefits for the remainder of the year.

Overall, the Australian healthcare system aims to provide accessible and high-quality healthcare to all citizens and permanent residents. It combines public funding through Medicare with private options to offer a comprehensive healthcare system that caters to various needs and preferences.

 

What is expat/international health insurance?

Difference between travel insurance & expat/international health insurance

 

Travel insurance:

Expat/international/immigrant/overseas health insurance:

Expat/international health insurance for immigration and applying for residence permits/visa

In most nations, it is obligatory to provide proof of coverage under an international health insurance plan when applying for a temporary or permanent resident visa. It’s essential to emphasize that travel insurance, by itself, is usually not recognized as sufficient for this purpose.

Considering the intricacies frequently linked to immigration processes, it is of paramount importance to verify that the expatriate or international health insurance policy you are acquiring aligns with the precise demands of the immigration authority in your intended destination country. You may discover this information online; however, if it’s not readily available, it is recommended to directly communicate with the immigration office for clarification.

 

Personal experience using expat/international health insurance for immigration in Sweden (hint: it’s not always easy): When Nikki relocated from the United States to Sweden, she encountered the necessity of providing evidence of international health insurance to the immigration authorities to secure her temporary residence permit. She decided to purchase a policy from one of the companies listed below, and immigration accepted it.

However, when she proceeded to apply for her tax identification number through the Swedish tax office, she found herself in a situation where the same insurance policy was deemed inadequate. As a result, she had to procure a new policy from a different insurance provider.

If you anticipate facing a similar predicament, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive examination of the cancellation policies offered by each insurance company. This way, in the event that your current plan is rejected by immigration, you can mitigate financial loss by terminating your existing policy and acquiring a new one.

 

What should I look for in an overseas healthcare plan for expatriates?

Who do these international health insurances work for?

 

For these citizens living abroad as expats or immigrants:

• Canadians
• Australians
• Chinese
• Germans
• French
• Argentinians
• British
• Swedes
• New Zealanders

And for citizens from almost every other country living abroad

 

For expats/immigrants living in:

• The United States
• Canada
• China
• Germany
• Sweden
• Spain
• Portugal
• France (European Union/Schengen Area as a whole)
• United Kingdom
• China (and Hong Kong)
• Australia
• Switzerland

And for expats living in almost any other country in the world

In other words, no matter your citizenship or which country you are moving to, most of these international health plans will work for you since they are truly global insurances.

 

Some questions to ask yourself before you buy expat/international medical insurance:

• Do you need a private room if you’re admitted to a hospital?
• Are you planning on starting a family or expanding your family?
• Do you have any pre-existing conditions or are you on any medications you need to continue while living in another country?
• Are you willing to pay a higher deductible for lower premiums?

 

Note: If you aren’t really an expat/immigrant but an international student at a school or college/university overseas, then I suggest you take a look at my article with the 3 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students and Exchanges/Study Abroad.

 

  1. Cigna Global

What I like:

 

 

    2. IMGlobal

 

What I like:

 
  4. Allianz Worldwide Care

 

 

Here are a few of the things that I appreciate and didn’t like about Allianz. 
What I liked: 

What I didn’t like: 

• Allianz don’t have many options for plans.

 

     5. Safety Wing

 

What I like: 

     6. Foyer Global Health

What I like: 

• You retain the flexibility to tailor your insurance coverage according to variables such as your age, country of origin, dental and vision care preferences, maternity and child care needs, and more. Global Health empowers you with the autonomy to select your desired level of coverage for each of these facets, ranging from minimal to comprehensive.
• Whether you are an individual, a childless family, or a family with children, Global Health extends insurance options meticulously tailored to meet your specific requirements.
• Even in the absence of health insurance in the United States, you are assured coverage for emergencies while on American soil.
• In addition to the aforementioned customization, you have the option to choose from three distinct plan categories: ESSENTIAL, SPECIAL, and EXCLUSIVE, each delivering varying degrees of coverage.
• The process of acquiring a quote is both swift and straightforward, necessitating only minimal personal information.
• Moreover, deductible alternatives are at your disposal, enabling you to align your plan with your financial preferences.
• For those contemplating a brief stay in another country, Global Health offers short-term plans designed to accommodate your needs.
• To facilitate an informed decision-making process, Global Health permits plan comparisons, enabling you to assess and select the option that best aligns with your specific requirements.
• With comprehensive health insurance coverage available for expatriates across Europe, Global Health ensures that individuals residing throughout the continent have access to comprehensive healthcare protection.

 

 

What I didn’t like: 

• The fundamental plans offered by Global Health feature limited coverage and may omit crucial services such as maternity care and newborn care.
• While the customer service provided by Global Health is functional, it may not be as user-friendly or straightforward compared to other companies on this list.
• The clarity of coverage details and limits on the Global Health website could benefit from enhancement, making it more accessible to understand what is encompassed and what is not.
• Although the Global Health website contains information pertaining to coronavirus, it remains unclear whether their plans specifically cover COVID-19 tests or complications.
• It is important to note that Global Health imposes a 5 euro fee for emergency support, constituting an additional cost to factor into your considerations.

 
   7. Global Underwriters

Global Underwriters stands as a renowned insurance provider, distinguished for its superb offerings tailored to expatriates and immigrants. Drawing upon years of expertise in the field, they excel in crafting customized insurance plans to cater to travelers across the globe.

Catering to expatriates, Global Underwriters presents two exceptional options: Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International. These all-encompassing plans are meticulously engineered to cater to the unique requirements of individuals dwelling in foreign lands, affording them comprehensive coverage and a profound sense of security.

 

What I like:

• Global Underwriters’ plans encompass vital features, including provisions for medical evacuations, repatriation of remains, and emergency dental coverage. With substantial benefits, you can access coverage of up to $1,000,000 for medical expenses, as well as accidental death or dismemberment protection.
• Furthermore, Global Underwriters extends support in cases of trip interruptions stemming from health-related issues and extends assistance for lost luggage, ensuring a smooth and worry-free travel experience.

 

 

What I didn’t like:

The Diplomat Long Term plan is not available for residents of New York, Maryland, South Dakota, as well as citizens residing in Australia and Iran.

• The Diplomat Long Term plan does not encompass travel to Cuba, Iran, and Afghanistan.
• The Diplomat International plan does not provide coverage for Covid-19-related care.

 

 

3 Bonus options for Expat International Insurance plans:

 

  – GeoBlue

 

What I like:

 

 

What I didn’t like: 

• GeoBlue’s insurance plans are not available to residents residing in the states of New York and Washington.
• For pricing details, it is essential to reach out to a licensed broker.

 

GeoBlue offers a valuable advantage of providing unlimited telemedicine consultations at no charge for plan members with Covid-19-related inquiries. Moreover, if prescribed by a healthcare provider, the company shoulders the expenses associated with clinical testing and Covid-19 treatment.

 

 

    

 

   – Seven Corners Liaison Majestic

As with IMG, Seven Corners also has medical insurance for travelers, students, faculty,  and others. 

 

What I like:

 

 

    – Aetna (acquired by Allianz)

Aetna stands as a customer-focused enterprise, unwavering in its commitment to delivering services finely tuned to cater to individual needs. With an unwavering dedication to addressing the distinct requirements of expatriates and residents in various countries across the globe, Aetna presents an array of tailored plans.

By delving into the distinctive situations of their clientele, Aetna guarantees that their plans are meticulously crafted to furnish comprehensive coverage and cater to the precise healthcare requirements of individuals dwelling overseas.

 

What I like: 

 

Do you consider yourself a “global citizen,” or are you a digital nomad and need medical insurance that will follow you worldwide?

If that resonates with your situation, the highlighted insurance choices are also well-suited to your requirements. The seven international health insurance plans presented are expressly crafted for digital nomads or individuals who inhabit different countries without a permanent abode. These plans are tailored to the requirements of “global citizens” seeking all-encompassing global health protection.

To provide a quick summary and facilitate comparison, here are the key features of the seven international health insurance plans:

 

CIGNA	IMGLOBAL	AETNA	GEOBLUE	SAFETY WING	GLOBAL HEALTH FOYER	GLOBAL UNDERWRITERS
Silver – $1 million	BRONZE – $1 million	The values of the limits increase depending on the length of the insurance contract	The coverage amounts may change according to your choices	Annual benefit maximum of US $1,000,000	Personalized plans for you or your family	Maximum annual benefit of $1,000,000.00
Gold – $2 million	SILVER – $5 million	Aetna’s plans may cover cancer treatments when the patient is part of a clinical trial.		Full reimbursement for hospital & cancers treatments, ambulance, and reconstructive surgeries	Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item	Up to $1,000,000 coverage in cases of accidental death or dismemberment
Platinum – Unlimited	GOLD – FOR COVERAGE UP TO 36 MONTHS – $5 million					Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item
	GOLD – FOR COVERAGE AFTER 36 MONTHS – $5 million
	GOLD PLUS – $5 million
	PLATINUM – $8 million

 

A complete table comparing these 7 health insurances for expats…

 

	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote
BENEFIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT
Benefit Information
Medical Maximum	Unlimited (for the Platinum plan)	$8,000,000	The site doesn’t specify	Unlimited	US$1,000,000 per year	The site doesn’t specify	$1,000,000
U.S. In-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	100%	No	60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100%	Yes, for higher fees	Only in emergencies	Yes
U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter)	Yes, for higher fees	100%	100%	100%	100%
Mental Health Availability	No waiting period	12-month waiting period	Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible	75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that	No	Waiting period of 10 months	Depends on the plan
Mental Health Benefit	Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan	Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum	Co-payment of $250 after deductible	100% up to 60 days		International and ambulance: limit not specified
Inpatient Prescription Drugs	$500 to paid in full depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Yes		Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drugs	None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option	Up to $8,000,000			Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Yes	Up to $25,000	No	Up to 10,000 euros	Yes
Accidental Death & Dismemberment	Depends on the plan	Rider available, limit depends on age.		$50,000			Depends on the plan
Emergency Dental	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Optional	1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth	Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan	Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited	It has coverage in the Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans
Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism	Up to the amount of the coverage	Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum			Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments
Amateur Sports	Unlimited	Rider available up to $10,000	No	Yes	No	No	No
Newborn Care
Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy	$25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan	$1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months	Yes		Depends on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan
Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy)	Only after the baby is 90 days old	Excluded	Depends on the plan		Excluded	No
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit	Check website for updated information	$250,000 maximum for first 31 days	No		Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days	No
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing condition exclusion period	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness
Pre-existing condition look back period	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date
Pre-existing annual maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan
Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.

 

To sum up…

These are the 7 best international health insurance for expats and immigrants:

1. Cigna
2. IMG
3. Geo Blue
4. Allianz
5. Safety Wing
6. Foyer Global Health
7. Global Underwriters

 

In conclusion…

Fundamentally, obtaining an immigrant/expat health insurance plan becomes imperative when you’re preparing to establish residence in a foreign land, be it for a temporary or permanent duration.

We grasp the challenges of choosing the right plan, having navigated this journey ourselves. We empathize with any uncertainties or questions you may encounter. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below if you seek assistance or if you believe there are any facets we might have missed. We stand ready to offer our support!

 

Do you live abroad and need to receive or send money back home cheaply?

I have a specific article to help you make international transfers as cheaply as possible: The 5 Best Websites for International Money Transfers (send and receive money from abroad).

 

Planning your next trip?

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. Our page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance on the Market can help you choose the right plan and will give you some discount coupons for the biggest insurance companies!

 

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes.

 

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.