HIF is Recommended for Basic 457 Health Insurance

Singles looking to meet their 457 health insurance requirements with some additional cover should consider HIF Intermediate Working Cover.

There were a number of factors that led to this recommendation including:

• The price which is $105.10 per with a further 4% discount available is you pay annually
• It provides cover for private hospital accommodation (shared room only)
• You can see your local doctor up to an annual limit of $500 per year
• The policy covers specialist services such as pathology and X-Rays
• It includes ambulance cover in Australia, as well as funeral expenses
• You can add extras such as dental cover for as little as $26.55 per month.

As of September 2015 HIF was rated 3.2/5 by 37 reviewers on the leading review website, productreview.com.au

For more information about the different levels of 457 health insurance including why you should upgrade your cover from just the minimum government level, please review our upgrading cover article. Another article, written in October 2013, also explains the pros and cons of having 457 visa health insurance even if you are already on Medicare. The article discusses several arguments such as the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS), public vs private hospitals and waiting lists. View the article on Medicare and private health insurance here.

What Is I Want A Private Hospital Room?

IMAN is recommended if you don’t want to share a room in a private hospital with their basic policy offering:

• Visits to a general practitioner (Family Doctor) at the Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) rate
• Visits to specialist doctors, pathology or radiology (you must be referred by a general practitioner)
• 100% cover for private hospital costs (except for lower benefit services such as pregnancy) in a private room
• No Hospital Excess
• Ambulance cover

What Is The Medicare Benefit Schedule?

The key points above mentioned the ‘medicare benefit schedule’ also know as the MBS for some 457 visa health cover elements. This is the rate that Medicare (which is the free healthcare system for permanent residents) rate for a visit/procedure. You can see full information on the MBS at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/health-professionals.

An example could be visiting general practitioner (GP). Medicare may as an example have a fee of $45 but the doctor may charge $60 for the visit. In this scenario the 457 visa health fund will pay for the $45 component while you will pay $15 (call out-of-pocket expenses). So 100% of the MBS does not mean the full charge in all circumstances will be paid for by the health fund but the amount Medicare would pay. Other policies may pay up to 150% of the MBS but these are in the premium section of this site.

You can read more about the MBS on our recently completed ‘Medicare Benefit Schedule for 457 visa holder‘ section.

About this 457 Health Insurance Comparison

This recommendation was based on the authors’ 457 health insurance comparison of key policies in May 2014 wherein each provider’s website, policies and premiums were manually reviewed and compared. Policy prices and benefits may change from when this review was completed and this site recommends that individuals download the latest available 457 visa health insurance policy documents and compare them for a comprehensive understanding of the product to ensure they pick the right policy.

While the authors of 457VisaCompared.com.au have made their best attempt at comparing all the major 457 health insurance providers, it cannot guarantee the accuracy of all elements and is happy to make changes based on any feedback provided. Therefore, this information is indicative and provided for general information only. Please refer to the relevant policy brochure for full details including waiting periods.