Surveyed international students with poorer wellbeing understand their health cover least, Medibank study finds

Students who are struggling are the ones least sure how their compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) works, according to research by Medibank, itself an OSHC provider, and the consultancy Nous Group. Insurance Business reported the findings on 31 October. The report, titled From Surviving to Thriving, was released at the Australian International Education Conference in Sydney.

Exclusions are the weakest point. Only 39% of surveyed students in poorer wellbeing knew what their policy leaves out, while 54% of students doing well knew this. On claiming, the gaps were smaller but pointed the same way: 47% of the struggling group knew how to lodge a claim and 45% knew when they would pay first and get the money back later, in both cases against 55% for the other group. Fewer than half of the struggling students understood at least three of five basic features of their cover.

The researchers surveyed 2,296 students at six universities, and about a quarter of them reported struggling with their health and wellbeing. They also ran focus groups and staff interviews and used Medibank's OSHC claims data. Across all respondents, fewer than one in five said they understood the Australian healthcare system well. Because the survey captured a single point in time, the authors say the results do not apply to all international students in Australia.

The report recommends a simpler front door to support services, and information on cover, costs and claims given at the moment students need it. Nous Group principal Zac Ashkanasy said universities already offer many services, but "not enough of the students at greatest risk are using them".