If you hold a Bridging Visa A (BVA – Subclass 010) while waiting for a decision on another Australian visa application, suitable health insurance can help you manage hospital and medical expenses during your stay in Australia.
Healthcare arrangements for Bridging Visa A holders can vary significantly. Your Medicare eligibility may depend on factors such as the substantive visa you have applied for and your individual circumstances. Health insurance requirements can also depend on the conditions attached to your current visa.
For BVA holders who are not eligible for Medicare, or who want additional private healthcare protection, suitable Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) may provide benefits towards eligible hospital treatment, doctor and specialist services, emergency ambulance transport and certain prescription medicines, depending on the insurer and policy selected.
At 8501 Health Insurance, you can compare health insurance options that may be suitable for eligible Bridging Visa A holders and review important policy features before choosing cover.
Choosing health insurance while on a Bridging Visa A requires particular attention to your individual circumstances. Unlike a visa subclass where applicants generally have similar healthcare arrangements, BVA holders may have different Medicare entitlements and health insurance needs depending on their underlying visa application.
When comparing BVA health insurance, consider:
The cheapest Bridging Visa A health insurance policy may not necessarily be the most suitable option. Your Medicare status, expected period on the BVA and healthcare needs should be considered alongside the premium.
Compare the available Bridging Visa A health insurance options below.
A Bridging Visa A (BVA – Subclass 010) generally allows an eligible person to remain lawfully in Australia while their substantive visa application is being processed.
Because a BVA is connected with another visa application, healthcare arrangements for Bridging Visa A holders are not necessarily the same for everyone. Your access to Medicare, private health insurance needs and any applicable health insurance requirements can depend on your individual circumstances and the visa you have applied for.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, suitable private health insurance can help protect you against eligible hospital and medical expenses while you remain in Australia.
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) may be available to eligible Bridging Visa holders, depending on the insurer and policy.
Holding a Bridging Visa A does not mean that every BVA holder has exactly the same health insurance requirements.
Your circumstances can depend on factors such as:
You should check your individual visa conditions and Medicare eligibility before deciding what health insurance arrangements are appropriate.
You should check your Bridging Visa grant notification or VEVO record to determine whether Visa Condition 8501 or another relevant health insurance condition applies to you.
If Condition 8501 is attached to your visa, you must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance for the period required by that condition.
Because Bridging Visa holders can have different circumstances, you should not assume that another BVA holder's health insurance requirements are the same as yours.
Some Bridging Visa A holders may be eligible for Medicare, while others may not be.
Medicare eligibility can depend on your individual circumstances, including the type of substantive visa you have applied for and whether you satisfy Medicare's eligibility requirements.
For this reason, holding a BVA by itself should not automatically be treated as confirmation that you either are or are not eligible for Medicare.
If you are waiting for a decision on another visa application, check your Medicare eligibility directly before deciding whether private health insurance is necessary for your circumstances.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, you may be responsible for healthcare expenses you incur while living in Australia.
These may include costs associated with:
Suitable private health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible healthcare expenses according to the terms of the policy.
If you are eligible for Medicare, whether you also need or want private health insurance depends on your individual circumstances.
You may still consider private health insurance for additional healthcare protection, hospital options, ambulance benefits or extras such as dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Importantly, Medicare eligibility and visa health insurance conditions are separate matters. If a health insurance condition applies to your visa, do not cancel existing cover solely because you become eligible for Medicare without first checking your visa requirements.
The amount of time you spend on a Bridging Visa A can vary considerably depending on the visa application being processed and your individual circumstances.
If you need or choose to maintain private health insurance during this period, make sure your policy continues to suit your circumstances.
For example, you should consider changes such as:
Avoid cancelling health insurance if doing so could leave you without appropriate healthcare protection or cause you to breach a condition attached to your visa.
When your substantive visa is granted, your healthcare and health insurance circumstances may change.
The type of health insurance suitable after visa grant will depend on the new visa subclass, Medicare eligibility and any health insurance conditions attached to that visa.
For example, the insurance arrangements appropriate while holding a Bridging Visa may not necessarily be the same as those required after your new visa becomes effective.
When your visa status changes, review your health insurance rather than automatically continuing or cancelling your existing policy.
If your partner or dependent children are also in Australia, consider their visa status and healthcare arrangements separately.
Depending on the insurer and eligibility, health insurance may be available as:
Do not assume that every family member has the same Medicare eligibility simply because they are included in the same visa application.
When comparing family cover, consider each person's visa status, Medicare eligibility, healthcare needs, existing medical conditions and any applicable visa conditions.
Health insurance for Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010) holders may provide benefits towards a range of healthcare expenses while you remain in Australia waiting for a decision on your substantive visa application.
The exact benefits depend on the insurer and policy selected. Your Medicare eligibility should also be considered, as this can affect your healthcare arrangements and the type of private health insurance suitable for your circumstances.
Depending on the policy selected, Bridging Visa health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible treatment when you are admitted to hospital.
Hospital benefits may include eligible accommodation, theatre fees and treatment associated with covered medical procedures.
When comparing policies, check:
If you are eligible for Medicare, also consider how Medicare and your private health insurance may apply to hospital treatment.
Depending on the policy, health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible consultations and treatment provided by doctors and medical specialists.
Some temporary resident health insurance benefits are calculated with reference to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). If your healthcare provider charges more than the benefit payable, you may need to pay the difference yourself.
If you are eligible for Medicare, your Medicare entitlement may also contribute towards eligible medical services.
Emergency ambulance is an important feature to consider when comparing health insurance.
Medicare does not generally cover ambulance services, and ambulance arrangements differ between Australian states and territories.
Depending on the policy selected, private health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible emergency ambulance treatment and transportation.
Check whether ambulance cover is included and whether any limits, exclusions or other conditions apply.
Depending on the policy selected, benefits may be available towards certain eligible prescription medicines.
Policies may apply limits to:
If you regularly take prescription medicines, compare these benefits carefully when choosing cover.
Treatment relating to a pre-existing medical condition may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions.
Before choosing Bridging Visa health insurance, check:
This can be particularly important if you expect to remain on your Bridging Visa for an extended period while your substantive visa application is processed.
Depending on the health insurance policy selected, eligible pregnancy and birth-related hospital and medical services may be covered after applicable waiting periods have been served.
If you or your partner are planning a pregnancy, compare:
If your visa status changes during the waiting period, check with the insurer how that change may affect your policy and eligibility for benefits.
Core temporary resident or OVHC policies may not include routine dental, optical, physiotherapy and other general treatments.
If you want benefits towards these services, you may need appropriate extras cover.
Depending on the product, extras may provide benefits towards:
Waiting periods, annual limits and service-specific limits may apply.
Private health insurance does not necessarily cover every healthcare expense or the full amount charged for treatment.
Depending on your policy, you may have to pay some or all of the cost of:
Your Medicare status can also change while you are on a Bridging Visa A. If you become eligible for Medicare, review how this affects your private health insurance rather than assuming that your existing policy should automatically be cancelled.
Always review the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and relevant policy documentation before purchasing cover.
When comparing health insurance for a Bridging Visa A (Subclass 010), your individual circumstances are particularly important. BVA holders can have different Medicare entitlements, visa conditions and expected periods of stay while waiting for a decision on their substantive visa application.
When comparing Bridging Visa A health insurance, consider:
The cheapest policy may not necessarily be the most suitable option, particularly if your visa application takes longer than expected or your Medicare eligibility changes.
Not necessarily. A lower premium can reduce your regular insurance costs, but different policies can provide different benefits, excesses, waiting periods and exclusions.
Before choosing primarily on price, compare:
You should also consider whether the policy remains suitable if you spend a longer period than expected on your Bridging Visa.
This is particularly important for BVA holders.
Do not assume that every OVHC or temporary resident health insurance product is available to every Bridging Visa holder. Insurer eligibility rules can differ according to the product and visa circumstances.
Before purchasing cover, confirm that your current visa status is accepted under the particular policy you are considering.
Medicare eligibility can significantly affect the type of private health insurance you may need.
Some Bridging Visa A holders may qualify for Medicare depending on their circumstances and the substantive visa application they have lodged.
If you are eligible for Medicare, consider what Medicare provides alongside the benefits available through private health insurance.
If you are not eligible, hospital and medical benefits under your private health insurance may become particularly important.
The processing time for your substantive visa application can affect how long you remain on your BVA.
When comparing health insurance, consider whether the policy will remain appropriate if your Bridging Visa period lasts longer than expected.
You should also review your health insurance arrangements whenever your visa status or Medicare eligibility changes.
If your partner or dependent children also require private health insurance, compare appropriate couple or family cover.
Do not assume that every family member has identical healthcare arrangements. Depending on their visa status and circumstances, family members may have different Medicare eligibility or health insurance needs.
When comparing family policies, consider the healthcare requirements of everyone who will be insured.
Australian health insurers offer health insurance products that may be available to eligible Bridging Visa holders, depending on the insurer's current visa eligibility requirements and the particular product.
At 8501 Health Insurance, use the comparison table above to review the health insurance options available for your circumstances.
Bupa offers health insurance products for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents.
If you hold a Bridging Visa A, check which Bupa product is available for your particular visa circumstances before purchasing cover.
Compare hospital and medical benefits, emergency ambulance arrangements, prescription medicine benefits, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions.
Medibank offers health insurance options for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents in Australia.
Bridging Visa A holders should confirm their eligibility for the particular Medibank product being considered and compare hospital benefits, medical benefits, ambulance arrangements, waiting periods, excesses and policy exclusions.
Allianz Care provides health insurance options for eligible overseas visitors and temporary visa holders.
If you hold a BVA, check whether your visa circumstances are accepted for the particular Allianz Care product before purchasing cover. Compare the relevant benefits, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and other policy conditions.
nib provides health insurance options for eligible overseas visitors and temporary residents.
Bridging Visa holders should confirm product eligibility and compare hospital and medical benefits, ambulance arrangements, waiting periods, excesses and exclusions before selecting cover.
Bridging Visa health insurance requires more care than simply selecting a provider from a list.
Before purchasing a policy:
If your substantive visa is granted, review your health insurance again because the type of cover appropriate for your new visa may be different.
Health insurance requirements for Bridging Visa A (BVA – Subclass 010) holders can depend on individual circumstances and the conditions attached to the visa.
If a health insurance condition such as Visa Condition 8501 applies to your Bridging Visa, you must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance for the period required by that condition.
Check your Bridging Visa grant notification or VEVO record to confirm your individual visa conditions.
Some Bridging Visa A holders may be eligible for Medicare, while others may not be.
Eligibility can depend on your individual circumstances, including the type of substantive visa application you have lodged and whether you meet Medicare's eligibility requirements.
Holding a Bridging Visa A by itself should not be taken as confirmation of Medicare eligibility.
The appropriate health insurance depends on your visa circumstances, Medicare eligibility and healthcare needs.
Eligible Bridging Visa holders may be able to purchase suitable Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or other temporary resident health insurance. Before purchasing a policy, confirm that the insurer accepts your current visa circumstances.
Depending on the insurer and policy selected, health insurance may provide benefits towards eligible:
Waiting periods, exclusions, hospital excesses, co-payments and benefit limits may apply.
Optional extras may also provide benefits towards services such as dental, optical and physiotherapy.
The cheapest option can vary depending on the insurer, policy and whether you require single, couple or family cover.
Price should not be considered in isolation. Compare hospital and medical benefits, ambulance cover, waiting periods, excesses, exclusions and potential out-of-pocket expenses before selecting a policy.
Health insurance options may be available to eligible Bridging Visa holders from providers including Bupa, Medibank, Allianz Care and nib, depending on their current product and visa eligibility requirements.
Because eligibility can vary between products, confirm that your Bridging Visa circumstances are accepted before purchasing cover.
Not necessarily, unless private health insurance is required because of a condition attached to your visa or your individual circumstances.
Even where Medicare is available, you may choose private health insurance for additional hospital options, ambulance benefits or extras such as dental, optical and physiotherapy.
Check your visa conditions before cancelling existing health insurance.
Depending on the insurer, product and eligibility of your family members, couple or family health insurance may be available.
When comparing family cover, consider each person's visa status, Medicare eligibility and healthcare needs, as these may not necessarily be identical for every family member.
Treatment relating to a pre-existing medical condition may be subject to waiting periods and other policy conditions.
Check how the insurer assesses pre-existing conditions, applicable waiting periods, exclusions, restrictions and benefit limits before purchasing cover.
Depending on the policy selected, eligible pregnancy and birth-related hospital and medical services may be covered after applicable waiting periods have been served.
If pregnancy cover is important to you or your partner, compare maternity benefits and waiting periods carefully before choosing a policy.
Medicare does not generally cover ambulance services, and ambulance arrangements differ between Australian states and territories.
Check whether your private health insurance includes eligible emergency ambulance treatment and transportation and whether any limits or conditions apply.
When your substantive visa is granted, your healthcare arrangements may change.
Review your health insurance based on:
Do not automatically cancel your existing policy until you have established what healthcare arrangements apply under your new visa.
You may be able to change providers, provided the new insurer and product accept your visa circumstances.
Before switching, check waiting periods, previous membership recognition, benefits and exclusions, and avoid creating an unintended gap in appropriate health insurance.
