Travel Insurance for Overseas Medical and Hospital Expenses

Cover options for Overseas Medical & Hospital Expenses

Travel Insurance Guide
Travel Insurance Benefit 2 - Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses

Having cover for your Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses can help to reduce your financial burden!

No one particularly enjoys being ill at home, and it’s even worse when you’re overseas. Did you know that Medicare and private health insurance will only cover your medical expenses incurred in Australia? So unless you’re in a country which has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia (which means you have access to subsidised health care), you’ll end up footing the bill for your overseas medical and hospital expenses.

What is covered under the Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit?

Cover is available under our Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses Benefit for unexpected overseas medical and hospital expenses incurred during an overseas medical emergency. Whether it's a broken bone or illness, it's also important to know that many hospitals overseas may not treat foreigners without a deposit first - they may want a lump sum upfront unless you have travel insurance to cover you. We can provide you with cover for the reasonable medical and hospital expenses incurred by you until you get back to Australia if your claim is for a reason that is covered under your policy.

Fast Cover's Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital expenses benefit provides cover for the reimbursement of the reasonable overseas emergency medical or emergency hospital expenses incurred by you during your trip until you get back to Australia if you are injured or become sick overseas.

The medical or hospital expenses must have been incurred due to a claimable event and confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner. You must make every effort to keep your medical or hospital expenses to a minimum.

If we reasonably determine that you should return to Australia for treatment (based on the information that is available to us at the time) and you do not agree to do so, then we will pay you the amount that we determine would cover your overseas medical expenses and/or related costs had you agreed to our recommendation. You will then be responsible for any ongoing or additional costs relating to or arising out of the event you have claimed for.

How much am I covered for Medical and Hospital Expenses?

Travellers up to the ages of 89 have unlimited* medical and hospital expenses!

What about pre-existing medical conditions?

Many Australians have pre-existing medical conditions, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get travel insurance. Our policies can provide cover for both unexpected illnesses or injuries overseas, and for your pre-existing medical conditions if you complete a medical screening, we approve cover for your existing medical condition, you pay the additional premium and it is listed as covered on your certificate of insurance.

Fast Cover will not cover a medical condition (which we refer to on our website as pre existing medical conditions or existing medical conditions) that existed during the period:

Of 3 years prior to your policy issue date, and/or
Between the time of policy purchase and up until the date of departure for your trip (other than for a claim under Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or re-scheduling of your trip between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip),

unless we agree to list the relevant medical condition (or pregnancy condition) as covered on the Certificate of Insurance. If any changes in health occur after we have listed any medical condition or pregnancy condition as covered and before the date of departure for you trip, the cover for those listed conditions is automatically excluded from the time the change in health occurred, unless you take an additional medical screening and we agree to list them as covered.

We consider a medical condition to mean any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other medical or dental condition or sign or symptom of these things that you (including your dependants and anyone listed on your certificate of insurance):

required prescription medication or have been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing,
sought or received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional,
have had tests, investigations, care, treatment, or medical attention including surgery,
have been admitted to hospital for (including emergency department or day surgery procedure), or
became aware of or which a reasonable person in the circumstances would have been aware of.

These also include but are not limited to:

the suffering or treatment of mental illness,
a brain, heart (such as any cardiovascular or coronary heart disease or any condition related to a heart or blood vessels), kidney, liver, respiratory, circulatory (such as high blood pressure, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack), cancer or cancerous condition,
reduced or deficient immune system;
a sign or symptom of the above matters;
an allergy or food intolerance;
a persistent and lasting health condition such as constant pain or long suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission;
any conditions related to previous and current pregnancy as detailed in “What is a Pregnancy Condition” and “Pregnancy Cover” in our PDS.

Check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your medical conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply.

What is not covered under the Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit?

Cover is not available under the Overseas Emergency and Medical Hospital Expenses benefit in the following circumstances:

For any claims Arising from activities listed under Adventure Activities (if You did not select “Adventure Pack”), unless the additional cover is selected at the time You took out Your Policy or prior to Your departure date, and You have paid the appropriate additional premium.

For any claims Arising while being the rider or passenger on a motorcycle, moped or scooter (if You did not select “Motorcycle Pack”), unless the additional cover is selected at the time You took out Your Policy or prior to Your departure date, and You have paid the appropriate additional premium.

For any claims Arising from activities listed under Snow sports (if You do not hold a “Snow Sports Plus” Policy), unless the relevant additional cover is selected at the time You took out Your Policy or prior to Your departure date, and You have paid the appropriate additional premium.

For planned medical procedures, cosmetic treatments, or other non-emergency medical treatments or for any complications or other claims Arising from such procedures or treatments.

For the continuation or follow up of medical treatment (including medication and ongoing immunisations) that started prior to Your Trip.

For more than the applicable limits set out in the Benefit Summary above.

When You have not notified Us as soon as practicable.

For any medical treatment or costs after You have refused Our advice or instructions for You to return to Your Home, when We have reasonably considered You were fit to return Home according to the available medical advice.

After 2 weeks of treatment by a chiropractor or physiotherapist unless approved by Us.

For any dental expenses, unless Arising from an Injury.

For any dental expenses Arising from biting, chewing or eating.

Any costs (such as treatment or surgery) which is not immediately medically necessary and can wait until You return Home (such as routine medical, dental or prenatal visits).

For any medical or ancillary expenses incurred in Australia.

For routine medical check-ups.

If You have received medical care that is covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and another country. The list of countries that Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with can be found at smartraveller.gov.au.

Please also read General Exclusions that apply to all benefits.

As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms, conditions and exclusions and the Certificate of Insurance.   

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

What if my Existing Medical condition can't be covered?

If you do a medical screening for your existing medical condition and we can’t provide you with cover for the medical condition, you can still purchase a policy with us, however, if you experience a complication relating to your medical condition while you’re overseas, theres no cover under any policy benefits for claims relating to that medical condition.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition and wish to have cover for that condition that we are unable to offer cover for, you can check with the Insurance Council of Australia, as they may be able to give you a list of travel insurers who may be able to assist you with cover.

What should I do if I have a medical emergency?

If you have a medical emergency, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as you are able to. The Emergency Assistance Team will be able to advise you on what you need to do, and if required, liaise with the hospital regarding your expenses.

The 24/7 Emergency Assistance number can be found on your Certificate of Insurance and also on our website.

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What to do

Are you overseas and need emergency medical help?

Cover options for Overseas Medical & Hospital Expenses