VPS
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Just reading an article which lists all the countries with reciprocal health care for Australians
UK, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Malta, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia and Sweden.
Interesting fact was
Private treatment is an option, but there’s a catch
Rather than waiting in line for treatment under the public system in one of these countries, you might opt for private treatment, but there’s another catch, as Bouten discovered when she returned to Australia.
“I’ve rung three different travel insurance underwriters and they all say your insurance will not cover you if you seek out any private GP, private emergency department or private medical specialist in any country where a reciprocal health care agreement is in place with Australia,” she says.
The product disclosure agreement (PDS) for Covermore travel insurance confirms this, stating: “We will not pay for … private medical or hospital treatment where public funded services or care is available, including medical or hospital treatment under any reciprocal health agreement between Australia and the government of any other country unless we agreed to the private treatment.”
The PDS for Allianz and Insure & Go says the same with different wording. If you elect to have private healthcare treatment in any of the countries with which Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement, you won’t be eligible to reclaim those expenses from your travel insurer. Where government funded healthcare is available to you, it’s expected you will take that option. Any claim for private healthcare treatment will be deemed ineligible by your insurer.
A couple of years ago when I was sick in the UK I went private for doctors and xrays and my insurance with COTA underwritten by NIB covered it all. It isn't something I had ever thought about
UK, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Malta, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia and Sweden.
Interesting fact was
Private treatment is an option, but there’s a catch
Rather than waiting in line for treatment under the public system in one of these countries, you might opt for private treatment, but there’s another catch, as Bouten discovered when she returned to Australia.
“I’ve rung three different travel insurance underwriters and they all say your insurance will not cover you if you seek out any private GP, private emergency department or private medical specialist in any country where a reciprocal health care agreement is in place with Australia,” she says.
The product disclosure agreement (PDS) for Covermore travel insurance confirms this, stating: “We will not pay for … private medical or hospital treatment where public funded services or care is available, including medical or hospital treatment under any reciprocal health agreement between Australia and the government of any other country unless we agreed to the private treatment.”
The PDS for Allianz and Insure & Go says the same with different wording. If you elect to have private healthcare treatment in any of the countries with which Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement, you won’t be eligible to reclaim those expenses from your travel insurer. Where government funded healthcare is available to you, it’s expected you will take that option. Any claim for private healthcare treatment will be deemed ineligible by your insurer.
A couple of years ago when I was sick in the UK I went private for doctors and xrays and my insurance with COTA underwritten by NIB covered it all. It isn't something I had ever thought about
