Parents always want the best for their kids’ health, and private health cover is an additional way to ensure everyone gets the best medical care. But eventually the time comes when children outgrow the family’s health insurance policy, when they cease to be a dependant. At that stage they will need their own health insurance.
With this in mind, you might be wondering at what specific age this occurs? How old is too old? Put simply, there is no simple answer even from the peak representative body Private Healthcare Australia. Family policies on children’s eligibility mainly depend on the guidelines laid out by each individual heath fund.
Some examples include:
HIF
With HIF, children are covered up to the age of 21 if they are dependants or are living with you. If they are studying in an approved Australian education institution, they can remain on their parents’ policy until they turn 25 years of age.
AUSTRALIAN UNITY
Australian Unity defines a dependent child as less than 23 years old and unmarried. They can continue to be covered under the family membership as student dependants until the age of 25, if they are unmarried or not in a de facto relationship and attending an Australian Unity approved full-time course of study at a school, college or university.
NIB
NIB covers children under a family health insurance policy until they turn 21. Between the age of 21 and 25 years old they can still remain under the policy if they are either a ‘student dependant’ or ‘adult dependant’.
NIB’s sister brand IMAN, which covers 457 visa holders, has a similar policy. On their family plan they cover dependent children (including any natural, step, foster or adopted children) under the age of 25, living at home and studying full time at an approved school, college or university.
MEDIBANK
Medibank employs three different categories of dependants:
- Child dependant – a child of the policyholder or their partner who is not married or living in a de facto relationship and is under the age of 21.
- Student dependant – a child of the policyholder or their partner who is not married or living in a de facto relationship, has reached the age of 21 but is under 25 and is undertaking full-time education at an approved educational institution.
- Adult dependant – a child of the policyholder or their Partner who is not married or living in a de facto relationship, has reached the age of 21 but is under 25 and is not undertaking full-time education.
It’s important to note that these details may vary depending on the policy you take out, and do not take into account different levels of cost. Always check exactly what your policy covers and how it compares to others before making a decision!
It Pays To Shop Around
If you’re new to health insurance or you have had the same health insurance for a long time, it’s always worth comparing policies. There is a government heath insurance website and also one specifically created for temporary workers looking to compare 457 visa health insurance. This 457 visa-compared website is a one-stop-shop for all your skilled migration needs if you’re planning to work in Australia on a temporary skilled visa.
Finally, prior to purchasing a policy, make sure you chat to the fund’s call-centre to be certain you fully understand the policy and claiming process. Make sure you understand your policy before you apply, rather than when you need to claim, for your peace of mind.
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