What is extra OSHC cover?

OSHCglobal - Extras cover can be an important product to take out, but it’s essential to know about how this cover works, treatments that are included, waiting periods and costs before deciding on a policy. We answer these questions and more in this article.

Health insurance extras policies are so popular that 53.5% of Australia’s population had extras cover as of September 2019. That’s millions of Aussies covered by extras cover!

However, each extras policy will have different features and limits. So, here’s our guide on what extras cover is, how it works and how it can benefit you.

What is extras cover?

Extras cover is a type of health insurance that covers you for out-of-hospital medical care. Also called ancillary cover or general treatment, it covers services Medicare doesn’t, like dental treatment, optometry, physiotherapy and more.

How does extras health insurance work?

Health insurance extras cover helps pay for out of hospital health care services like trips to the dentist, visiting the physio, new glasses and remedial massage. If you purchase an extras policy, you’ll pay regular premiums to be covered for listed services in your policy. These services are typically subject to annual and lifetime limits.

What services can extras insurance cover?

Depending on your policy, extras insurance can provide cover for a range of different services from accredited or recognised service providers.

Here are the services your extras policy can potentially cover:

• general dental. Check-ups, examinations, x-rays, scale and clean, fillings;
• major dental. Crowns, bridges, dentures, wisdom teeth removal, veneers, surgical tooth extractions;
• Braces, Invisalign, retainers (including fitting and adjustment);
• Root canal therapy, gum treatment;
• optical. Glasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses;
• physiotherapy. Sport or movement exercise therapy for muscles or post-operative;
• remedial massage. Sports or injury treatment, deep tissue massage;
• chiropractic. Consultations, x-rays, back manipulation and spinal adjustments for musculoskeletal issues;
• Treatment for feet (e.g. ingrown nails, bunions, corns), ankles and lower limbs – useful for sportspeople and people with walking disorders (e.g. pigeon-toed);
• Shoe inserts/insoles fitted inside shoes to restore natural foot function;
• Treatment from a psychologist to address mental and physical health issues (some policies only cover treatment from a clinical psychologist);
• non-PBS pharmaceuticals. Helps pay for prescription medicine not listed on the Government’s Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS);
• lifestyle. Helps pay for approved courses to improve your lifestyle, including quit smoking programs, fitness classes, gym memberships or weight management courses;
• eye therapy. Treatment or physical therapy for crossed eyes, lazy eyes and double vision;
• occupational therapy. Treatment to train people with physical injuries or illness (e.g. re-learning to walk after an accident, restoring function in broken bones or torn limbs);
• speech therapy. Assessment and treatment to re-learn to speak after a stroke or to help people with speech disabilities or impediments;
• hearing aids. To purchase, repair or replace a device to correct a hearing impairment;
• Diet, nutrition, weight loss and disease management by a recognised dietician;
• health aids & appliances. C-pap machine, blood pressure, crutches and glucose monitors for diabetes management; and
• ambulance. Covers emergency transport (can also be taken out separately; only for people in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT – ambulance cover is already covered by State Governments in Queensland and Tasmania).

Are there different levels of health insurance extras cover?

Extras cover is typically available in three different levels. However, this can vary depending on your provider.

Top-level ancillary cover will typically include more extras services and have high payable benefit limits. Also, top-level cover will usually have higher annual limits for your health insurance extras cover.

In comparison, lower-level policies (basic or medium extras) may limit you to just a few popular services and only pay a smaller percentage in rebates.

You would like to purchase an extra OSHC cover. Contact us at info@oshcglobal to assist you with any of your OSHC enquiries

OSHCglobal (According to comparethemarket)