Please HELP! Hospital Insurance (for Pregnancy) for 461 Visa Holder

Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 09:20
Last edited 01/04/2014 - 14:26

Good Day!
We are planning to have kids next year. We live in Sydney.
My wife is Russian and she is on 461 Visa.
http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/461.aspx

Unfortunately, she is not eligible for Medicare.
I do not think she can get "normal" insurance and she cannot get 30% rebate either.

We spoke to Medibank and they suggested "Working Visa Hospital and Medical Insurance"
http://www.medibank.com.au/Visitors-Cover/About-Visitors-Cov…

Please share your experience!
Thank you

All the Best

Update:
Thank you all for sharing!
We will check with immigration agent and New Zealand Embassy for our options.
At the moment its either:
1. Get Medibank hospital cover and pray that out of pocket costs will not be high.
2. Apply for Australian Permanent Residency - get Blue Medicare - have kids
3. Get my wife a New Zealand Citizenship - get Green Medicare - have kids

Financial

Comments

  • sparkles on 30/03/2014 - 10:12

    Is it an option to return to NZ for the birth? Perhaps she would be covered there given that you are a NZ'er?

    Or for her to apply for NZ residency given you are married? She would then be covered under the reciprocal agreements I'd assume.

    • Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 11:09

      Nah, we do not want to go to NZ.
      But thank you for your input.

      • altomic on 30/03/2014 - 12:00
        +23

        yeah, who'd want their kids to be a Kiwi?

  • ilsan0 on 30/03/2014 - 10:25

    Bupa offers health cover for 461 VISA

    • Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 11:16

      I cannot find it on their website. Link please?

  • cdundee on 30/03/2014 - 12:09

    Hi,
    When I was on 457 and not covered by medicare, I was using http://www.esiexpat.com/insurances.htm and I guess in the end the provider was guhealth (https://www.guhealth.com.au/)

    Pricy policy(~$7000 a year) but covered everything in private hospitals, all the limits were pretty high and cover was pretty much to notch comprehensive cover for the whole family.

    • Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 12:13

      WOW that's too much for us.
      Medibank's one is about $2250 a year and all we need is a hospital cover during pregnancy(giving birth).

      • jason101 on 30/03/2014 - 16:23
        +5

        I think the difficulty is that insurance companies like to make money - and they have plenty of experience with people who drop into health insurance to have a kid and then drop out again. Don't take this the wrong way but it is a bit of a wrought of the system (as your costs they incur will well exceed the revenue they make from you) so I wouldn't be expecting any insurer to make it easy for someone in your situation to find a reasonably priced policy. If you can get a policy, it would be wise to read the fine print as there will more than likely be waiting periods involved before you are eligible to claim on child birth related expenses.

        • Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 18:47

          Yeah it is understandable. The waiting period is 12 month as usual. We will have to keep it longer than that because there is nothing else. When we apply for permanent residency she will be eligible for blue Medicare card.

      • slix_88 on 03/04/2014 - 00:09

        $2250 is cheap so I don't see why you wouldn't consider it. Insurance is meant for unexpected events and not for it to be exploited.

        I'm sure every Medibank customer will be disgruntled to hear that they're having to subsidise for your claim.

        All the best with having a child

        • Smerch on 03/04/2014 - 07:47

          Where did you read that I am not considering Medibank's option?
          It is just that I did not use private insurance before and as others say, there will be some out of pocket expenses of unknown value.
          It is insurance, you get it just in case, nothing to be disgruntled about.

    • MrGrinchy on 03/04/2014 - 23:47

      Isnt it cheaper to get travel insurance, then travel to say NZ or Singapore for 3 weeks and give birth there. Or can you travel to country A, get global travel insurance from A, and travel back to AU, and its covered?

      Hell, even flying to russia to give birth there is cheaper than $7k

      • Smerch on 04/04/2014 - 07:33

        I think traveling while pregnant is not good. So we will defensively have kids here in Sydney.

        • Smerch on 07/04/2014 - 16:14

          lol defensively = definitely

      • roughana on 07/04/2014 - 14:40

        (Some) Airlines will not allow travel at late stages of pregnancy.

  • robbyjones on 30/03/2014 - 17:32

    I have no experience with them but have you had a look at these guys?
    http://www.austhealth.com/

    • Smerch on 30/03/2014 - 18:55

      http://www.austhealth.com/australian-working-visa-list
      I am not sure where to check about 461 visa insurance cover.
      It is only for 457 and 485 that is highlighted.
      And to get cover for pregnancy you need to choose "Top Comprehensive" for 2 people at least which is $6360 a year.
      Which is too much.

  • wayacos on 31/03/2014 - 07:29
    -5

    You can't have it all!!!!
    Working here and want our people pay you to have kids.
    A bit rich I think.

    • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 07:57
      +3

      As a New Zealander I get Medicare but I cannot give birth…
      461 Visa is given for 5 years but its called Temporary so no Medicare for my wife…
      I pay taxes as much as anyone here.
      Some laws do not make sense.

      • ar993 on 31/03/2014 - 09:52

        Does she currently have any medical cover at all? I always thought some of the visa categories had conditions to have private medical cover! No idea about 461

        • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 11:57

          No cover at all at the moment.
          She does not have to have any.
          But it is way too expansive to give birth without hospital cover.

        • altomic on 01/04/2014 - 12:46
          +1

          apparently people use to give birth without hospitals.

          but I know what you mean -father of 3.

      • Baghern on 31/03/2014 - 13:47
        +1

        Tough situation, feel for you at a personal level.

        But at a tax level, no you don't, year on year tax does not pay for a modern life. Western/developed society is built on a life time of tax.

        As a meany, NZ is a viable option, there is a reason why Aust Govt makes it harder for NZers to get citizenship.

        • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 16:27

          Harder than who else? Or you mean harder than before for NZers.
          It is not that hard. Just money and time. But we want to have kids next year.

    • ar993 on 31/03/2014 - 09:49
      +4

      OP does NOT want us (our system) to pay for their childbirth. He's just after a good deal for private medical cover which he will PAY FOR (like the way we pay 1.5% for Medicare and more for private health cover).

        • epicaricacy on 01/04/2014 - 00:47
          +17

          He's actually sticking up for you In That comment.

        • ar993 on 02/04/2014 - 13:23

          But your wife doesn't!
          Sorry, I meant to say SHE (your wife) will pay for.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2014 - 16:55
      -1

      I wish I had the power to deport you wayacos.

  • MITM on 31/03/2014 - 10:28

    Try looking/asking on this forum:
    http://www.expatforum.com/expats/australia-expat-forum-expat…

    Best luck.

    • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 12:01

      Thank you. I will have a look.
      Although, we did all the Visa requirements ourselves without agent's help.
      I just wanted to know if anyone here had experience with Medibank's insurance of that kind.

  • srhardy on 31/03/2014 - 12:07

    medibank (gov owned) will have the best price for you, dam shame its going to be sold (like bupa was) as it will offer less and charge more as it trys to increase profitability from 300mil a year for the new owners…

    & welcome to fatherhood, enjoy!

    PS: you can give birth at home with a midwife, its a lot cheaper and then you can have any kind of birth you want, or return to russia and it will be free, airfares asside… Just obvious options

    • bluedufflecoat on 31/03/2014 - 13:59
      +1

      I think planning to give birth at home with a midwife is not a really good plan, if there are complications. At least in the hospital, you will have access to doctors and equipment that will be needed in an emergency situation.

    • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 16:31

      Yeah with insurance prices you never know what is going to happen next year.
      For our first child we want to use hospital with a midwife and a doctor just in case.
      Nah we are not going anywhere. I like it here.

      • TALLBALLER on 01/04/2014 - 02:41

        my little brother was born at home but he was round 4 and child 5 of 6 and he is fine

  • dp1 on 31/03/2014 - 13:22

    Anything to stop her applying for residency now? She will get a blue Medicare card (for medically necessary treatment) when the application is lodged, regardless of how long it takes to process.

    • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 16:33
      -4

      To apply for PR you need to pay. Which is like $3000+. So not worth it.
      We will apply in 3-4 years when we get to the point of getting it 100%.

      • dp1 on 31/03/2014 - 19:28
        +7

        How is it not worth it? Remember Medicare coverage starts as soon as you lodge your application, there's very little not covered by the blue vs green Medicare card. You do realise that out of pocket costs/gap fees for a private sector birth will be close to $3000 anyway, right?

        I was hospitalised twice whilst on blue Medicare, the application fee was worth every cent for the life-threatening emergencies treated in public hospitals.

        • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 20:42

          Yeah the cheapest way is to never get sick.
          We hope that this insurance will cover as much as what Medicare covers.
          We just want the hospital bill to be paid by them.
          But that is why I am checking if this Medibank cover is any good.

          Well if we apply for PR and then they will tell us we are not eligible for it. Will the application money disappear with Blue Medicare?
          And how long does it take for them to cancel a permanent residency application?

          Thank you for sharing

        • dp1 on 31/03/2014 - 23:39
          +2

          Sorry, I may have jumped the gun there . The 461 seems like a truly crappy visa subclass with no eventual path to residency, and any children you have will remain NZ citizens until age 10 (in which case giving birth in NZ may not be such a bad idea). Do you or her have any possibility of a different visa (skills shortage, employer sponsored or family sponsored for example?) I think you need the advice of a decent migration agent.

        • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 08:26

          Yeah that 461 is good until you want to have kids or become an Australian…
          To get PR we need same and stable job for 3+ years in a row.
          I will check with migration agent to get more information on that Blue Medicare.

          Thank you mate

        • lplau on 01/04/2014 - 08:49

          I am guessing you are a Australian citizen?

          If so, why not just bring her in under a Partner Visa 820 which will allow for Medicare also.

        • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 11:01

          No, I am Russian and New Zealander.
          I have been living in Sydney for about 6 years but only now we would like to settle in.

        • stumo on 01/04/2014 - 17:50

          Having children in nz is a bad idea. They will forever be scv visa subclass in this country. They will have to do PR to become citizens, which as you know, is expensive/restricted.

          If you have them here, they will become full oz citizens automatically @10yo. Its retarded because even though you save oz taxpayer the birth costs in nz, you don't get jack. Have the kids here (free on Medicare) and you get citizenship thrown in for free.

        • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 08:11

          We will have kids here. I'm just checking what is a best way for us.

  • ianyelts on 31/03/2014 - 13:48

    I suggest you wain until she is a FULL AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN.

    • Smerch on 31/03/2014 - 16:34
      +2

      With todays laws it is a long time.

  • manno786 on 01/04/2014 - 00:58
    +1

    Application for permenant residency gives u full access to medicare services
    As for private health you still ens up paying the OBs fees and other out of pocket expenses which are easily around 2-3k these are other than the hospital bill that is covered by private health. Why is it not worth getting residency when you are eventually gonna get it anyway :/

    • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 08:29

      Like I mentioned above, we will get PR when we get to the point of getting it 100%.
      The main condition is we have to have same and stable job for 3+ years in a row.
      But I will check further on that with migration agent.

  • Randxyz123 on 01/04/2014 - 01:24

    I don't know anything about the process but I'd suggest she becomes a NZ citizen (presumably you are) then apply for PR in Australia. It be best to do this sooner rather than later. Remember if you have PR then your child(ren) wil get automatic citizenship (I think)

    • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 08:35

      Yeah that would be nice for her to become NZ citizen living in Australia.
      Although, I think she will need to be in New Zealand for some time to apply for NZ PR then 5 years to get a NZ passport.

  • Archerwin on 01/04/2014 - 09:47

    your best best is to get the Medibank or Bupa insurance (Working Visitor). It will not cover everything (better than having nothing at all) but it is your only choice if you're not eligible to apply for PR yet. best of luck!

    • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 11:07

      But as per dp1 mentioned above "You do realise that out of pocket costs/gap fees for a private sector birth will be close to $3000 anyway, right?"
      When you get a private insurance you can not be treated as a public patient. You can use public hospitals but still will be treated as a private patient. (As per Medibank sale person)

      I am not sure how exactly it works as I have never had a private insurance.

      • dp1 on 02/04/2014 - 14:24
        +3

        Medibank sales person is talking bollocks. I have private insurance and had my baby in a public hospital for $0. Whenever you go to hospital you have a choice of whether to be a private patient or public under Medicare only. They HAVE to give you a choice. For giving birth there is nothing to be gained in my opinion from going private (OK you get a glass of wine with dinner but I'd rather keep the $3k).

        • lisss on 02/04/2014 - 17:38
          +1

          Yes I'm pretty sure they can't legally force you to be a private patient, although they will try to present this as your only option.

        • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 22:50

          Well I thought so too.
          I guess the only way to find out is to try it out hehe.
          Public hospital cover is all we need.

        • lgacb08 on 05/04/2014 - 15:27

          well, if the wife is not on medicare but private insurance, she could be forced to go private if all of the public hospitals around her get flooded and could not provide her the care as public patient so it could happen. But the chance is pretty low, if you book in early in the pregnancy with your GP, they can sort it out easily, just dont wait till the last week and turn up at your local hospital asking for a bed.

  • ACTdealchaser on 01/04/2014 - 13:51

    Can your wife become a NZ Citizen soon? If she had been with you for a while, even not in NZ, she may still be able to get a citizenship. At least that is the way AU citizenship operates-living with Aussie is deemed as living in AU.

    • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 14:17

      Well like I said that would be great. It will be 3 years this June.

  • one man clan on 01/04/2014 - 14:03
    +8

    You seem to not want to pay anyone anything.

    There's probably viable options but your best bet may be to get some actual legal advice re: citizenship etc. There may be alternatives. I know it seems like a lot of money - but what's more important?

    Otherwise keep shooting down every suggestion.

    • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 14:20
      -1

      He he he who would want to pay everyone everything?
      We just want to have kids but it is not us that make it hard and costly.
      Yeah we will get some advice from immigration agent and New Zealand embassy.

      • lplau on 01/04/2014 - 14:41

        Yea i would say thats the best way to go and ask the immigration office and embassy.

        Australia & NZ may have some reciprocal health care arrangements between the 2 countries.

        EDIT: Maybe they do….. but it depends how they define "essential" medical treatment

        http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/r…

        Copied:
        The Australian Government has agreements with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia and Norway. These agreements mean:

        Australian residents can get help with the cost of essential medical treatment when visiting these countries
        residents of these countries can get some essential medical treatments while visiting Australia.

        • Smerch on 01/04/2014 - 15:48

          The sad part is that my wife being not New Zealander can not get Medicare that I have. It means not even essential medical treatment.
          And if she was a New Zealander and I was just a guy who got her pregnant, she would be covered.

          From bureaucratically - law - paper work point of view it makes sense but from a family point of view it is sad to see that I can not give my wife and kids medical treatment that I pay through taxes. (Well my kids will get Medicare but only after birth)

        • Baghern on 01/04/2014 - 22:57
          +5

          Don't play the tax card, a few years tax doesn't cover as much as you think. Just be thankful that you have better more options than other migrants.

      • brickwall on 02/04/2014 - 03:58

        Then… should have delayed having kids until everything is settled? Saying "Just wanting to have kids" and get panicked about the cost is not a good sign to start a family :)

        • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 08:05

          No panic here, just checking peoples opinions.

      • wayacos on 05/04/2014 - 10:02

        Well if you want kids so much,pay for them like everyone else.
        No freebies in my day!

        • Smerch on 05/04/2014 - 11:33

          Is there a way to do it for free?
          Otherwise u make no sense.

          In all our options we have to pay…
          This topic is to find out which option is the best from peoples experiences.

        • wayacos on 05/04/2014 - 11:59

          The best option is if you want kids is pay whatever needs to be paid,not want the rest of society to subsidise your responsibility to raise your next generation.
          We need to help those that need it through no fault of theirs.
          Not subsidise the fit and working amongst us.
          Australia has already given you a job,use that to pay for your desire to have children,not expect others in our society to pay.
          You make sense to me,it is called freeloading.
          A few years tax doesn't cover as much as you think.
          Just be thankful that you have better options than other migrants.
          In my opinion you should be thankful just having work,work on that to get ahead and you will be respected a lot more.
          Don't come here looking for handouts.
          We have regulations to purposely make it more difficult for non Nationals,the same as most other countries throughout the world.
          For whatever reasons you already think Australia is a better place than where you were.Be grateful and work for a better life for you and yours.

        • Smerch on 05/04/2014 - 17:30
          -1

          I am thankful. I work here and I pay my taxes.
          This topic is not about that or me getting something for free or "freeloading".
          Please read post and other comments.

  • zooter on 01/04/2014 - 16:28

    not sure if this is late now, but for what it's worth Bupa have overseas cover (with obviously waiting period like 12 months for pregnancy)

    http://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/cover/overseas-visit…

  • xyron on 01/04/2014 - 17:47

    Get her pregnant then move back to NZ in ~8 months time?

    She can have kids in NZ, rely on your citizenship for access to their free medical care, then you can all return to Australia. Your kids would then be NZ citizens (as good as being Australian, in fact, in some cases better, because NZ passports get you visa-free entry into more countries!)

    Am I missing something here? NZ is really nice. You wouldn't have to stick around there too long. :)

    • Baghern on 01/04/2014 - 22:58
      +2

      country shopping

      Russia -> NZ - > Aus

      I might be coming across as mean but as far as I see it people who use NZ as a gateway…

      NZ is a great nation, it accepts many people from all over the world, to then skip out… I wonder how they feel about the money they lose in accepting migrants that skip out.

      NZ is not as good as Australia economically, but you're not helping by jumping ship instead of helping build.

    • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 08:06

      to xyron: You and Mr stumo got opposite ideas hehe.

      • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 08:09

        to Baghern: NZ is a great nation but I like it here, especially the climate.

    • lplau on 02/04/2014 - 09:19
      +1

      As at 2013, NZ Passport is ALL that much more AWESOME with only ONE visa-less country more than Australia…..
      LOL!

      Australia - 167
      NZ - 168

      I don't think it is as simple as "we want to make babies… lets move to a place that offers us financial benefits".

      If you have a job and everything over here, you will need to move and waste time looking for another job over there, therefore delaying your making love like rabbits.

      Get Private Health Insurance, wait 3 months then make love like rabbits. I know medibank counts 12 months as the day of the baby's birth not the day of conception. Check with other insurance companies though before joining.

      • SavatteDodo on 02/04/2014 - 09:42

        Do you make love to rabbits?

        • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 09:45

          mmm love mmm rabbits

        • lplau on 02/04/2014 - 09:48
          +3

          Only if shes wearing a rabbit costume with bunny ears and all! Who wouldn't want to?

        • SavatteDodo on 02/04/2014 - 10:23
          +1

          Nice. Be careful though, she might chomp your carrot.

      • matt_will_fix_it on 02/04/2014 - 11:54
        -1

        Get Private Health Insurance, wait 3 months

        This won't work. You need to be eligible for Medicare to get private health insurance.

      • Baghern on 02/04/2014 - 14:02

        As Australians are the new American tourist I hear people claiming to be New Zealanders when they travel..

        • StewBalls on 04/04/2014 - 06:29

          I've not heard this. Most seasoned travellers know that there's plenty of douchebag kiwis too…

  • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2014 - 09:41
    +1

    Any reason why you live in Australia's most expensive city?

    • lplau on 02/04/2014 - 09:49

      Any reason why you wouldn't want to? lol.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/04/2014 - 09:52
        +1

        Any reason why you wouldn't want to? lol.

        Self explanatory, sorry you couldn't comprehend the OP's situation and the question I raised.

        • lplau on 02/04/2014 - 10:17

          ohhh lol. too early in the morning… now i get you!…. sigh

    • Smerch on 02/04/2014 - 09:51

      It was about 6 years ago when I moved. I just picked a famous city with the least time to fly to from Christchurch. In future I would love to move to Coolangatta.

      • xsacha on 02/04/2014 - 12:39

        +1 great city, cheap flights!

  • bonezAU on 02/04/2014 - 15:44

    Check out HIF visitor cover as well. http://www.hif.com.au/visitor-cover/hospital-medical-cover/w…

  • Zen on 03/04/2014 - 14:09

    Quickest and easiest way to get permanent residency for her is to just get married or register you two as a defecto relationship and apply for a Partners Visa instead.

    Partner Visa: Onshore Temporary and Permanent (Subclasses 820 and 801)
    http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/partners/partner/partner-vis…

    That way as long as you two are in a legitimate relationship and she's pregnant she is then eligible for PR and can access Medicare and other social welfare benefits like baby bonus and family allowance once the baby is born.

    The whole process will probably cost between $4 ~ 5k if you do all the paperwork yourself and submit it to immigration, piece of cake and work out less than any private insurance in the long run!

    • stumo on 03/04/2014 - 16:27

      Except he's on an scv. There is no path to PR from that permanent limbo bs visa.

    • Smerch on 03/04/2014 - 18:10

      to zen: This visa can not be used for New Zealanders or their partners after 26 February 2001.
      http://www.immi.gov.au/Faqs/Pages/what-is-an-eligible-new-ze…

      • Zen on 04/04/2014 - 09:25

        Oops, sorry I missed the very important point that he's a kiwi living in Australia!

        That I'm not entirely familiar with.

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