Expats Guide to Health Insurance in Oceania
Health Insurance is crucial for expats moving to Oceania due to the lacking healthcare system in remote regions. Medical evacuation and repatriation is vital for expats moving to island nations as it provides access to healthcare services in more advanced countries like New Zealand and Australia.
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Are you thinking about moving to Oceania? In this guide, we will cover the healthcare systems of each major region in Oceania as well as some of the best international health insurance plans you can secure to ensure coverage during your stay.
Best Health Insurance in Oceania
Bupa Global, Allianz Care, Cigna Global, and AXA – Global Healthcare are among the best international health insurance providers for expats looking to relocate to Oceania. These companies offer comprehensive coverage with reliable services.
If you are considering relocating to Oceania, our top international health insurance providers guides for Australia and New Zealand may be able to offer you more insight on which brand to choose when securing your own private international health insurance plan.
Bupa Global Plans for Expats in Oceania
Bupa Global offers four tiers for their international health insurance plan, Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite. The plan is designed to offer extensive coverage for medical expenses not only within Oceania but also globally (excluding the US).
Key features common to all Bupa Global plans include:
-
- Inpatient Room Type
- Diagnostic Tests
- Cancer Treatment
- Medical Evacuation
- Medical Repatriation
Annual Limit for each tier of Bupa Global’s international health insurance plan can be seen in the table below:
|
Plan |
Major Medical | Select | Premier |
Elite |
| Annual Limit | €2,500,000 (about AUD $4,148,025 or NZD $4,600,000) | €1,250,000 (about AUD $2,074,012 or NZD $2,300,000) | €1,875,000 (about AUD $3,111,018 or NZD $3,450,000) | €3,750,000 (about AUD $6,222,037 or NZD $6,900,000) |
Allianz Care for Expats in Oceania
For expats in Oceania, Allianz Care’s plan offers three tiers, Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro. The maximum limit and coverage of each tier ranges, however, all plans include services like emergency medical evacuation, home nursing, rehabilitation treatment, and more.
Below is a some of the key benefits in and limits for each tier:
|
Plan |
Care Pro | Care Plus |
Care |
| Maximum Plan Limit | $5,000,000 (about AUD $7,586,795 or NZD $8,294,550) | $4,000,000 (about AUD $6,069,436 or NZD $6,635,640) | $2,500,000 (about AUD $3,793,397 or NZD $4,147,275) |
| Room Type | Private room | Private room | Semi-private room |
| Coverage Includes | In-patient, day-care, and out-patient treatment | In-patient and day-care treatment | In-patient and day-care treatment |
Cigna Plans for Expats in Oceania
What makes Cigna one of the best options for expats in Oceania is that there are no age restrictions for enrolment. Expats can enroll in the Silver, Gold, or Platinum plans regardless of their age. The different tiers offer extensive coverage with a range of customizable options.
Cigna’s international health plans provide:
- Global coverage backed by local expertise
- Flexibility, choice, and portability across over 200 countries and jurisdictions
- Comprehensive mental health support programs and resources
- Coverage for a diverse array of medical treatments and services
- And much more
|
Plan |
Silver Plan | Gold Plan |
Platinum Plan |
| Annual Limit Amount | $1,000,000 (about AUD $1,517,036 or NZD $1,658,770) | $2,000,000 (about AUD $3,034,072 or NZD $3,317,540) | Unlimited |
AXA – Global Healthcare for Expats in Oceania
AXA – Global Healthcare offers five tiers for their international health insurance plans. Starting from the most basic to the most comprehensive, the five tiers available for expats in Oceania are: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.
Table of coverage limit and key benefit list of AXA – Global Healthcare international health insurance plan:
|
Plan |
Coverage Limit (USD Per Year) |
| Foundation | $160,000 (about AUD $242,726 or NZD $265,425) |
| Standard | $1,600,000 (about AUD $2,427,258 or NZD $26,542,56) |
| Comprehensive | $2,400,000 (about AUD $3,640,886 or NZD $3,981,384) |
| Prestige | $3,200,000 (about AUD $4,854,515 or NZD $5,308,512) |
| Prestige Plus | $8,000,000 (about AUD $12,136,288 or NZD $13,271,280) |
Coverage Benefits: AXA’s international health plans may offer the following benefits:
- Inpatient hospital expenses and surgeries
- Comprehensive cancer treatments
- Emergency medical care
- Ambulance transport
- Optional outpatient treatment, tests, and vaccinations
- Optional outpatient medications and dressings
- Management of chronic conditions
- CT, PET, and MRI scans
- Routine maternity care
- Annual health check-ups
- Eye examinations and prescription eyewear
- Dental care (excluding check-ups)
- 24/7 personalized support from a multilingual team
- Convenient online access to policy benefits and claims information
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
Healthcare in Oceania
Australia and New Zealand are the largest countries in Oceania and they have the best healthcare in the region. The healthcare in the other island nations lags behind in terms of the healthcare due to a number of reasons including geographical location and low population.
Because Australia and New Zealand have superior healthcare in the region, it is not uncommon for those living in the other island nations to be medically repatriated to Australia and New Zealand for more complicated medical treatments and procedures.
Healthcare in Australia
Healthcare in Australia is composed of a combination of public and private healthcare facilities. Whilst Australian citizens and permanent residents have access to the Medicare public health services, Expats in the country will not have access to Medicare.
Whilst the public care facilities in Australia are considered among the best in the world, they still suffer from the same problems and challenges faced by public healthcare facilities. Due to the confidence in public healthcare, the demand for it is high, leading to extending wait times.
Healthcare in New Zealand
Similar to Australia, New Zealand offers universal healthcare to citizens and permanent residents. However, there are certain free services that expats can benefit from too such as certain medical tests and immunization for children under the age of six.
In order to access these services, expats will have to visit a general practitioner and a Primary Health Organization (PHO).
Because the access to free healthcare is so limited for expats in New Zealand, it is highly recommended that expats secure their own private health insurance to stay covered during their stay.
Healthcare in Papua New Guinea
Home to approximately 10 million people, Papua New Guinea’s healthcare system leans more towards the basic side and leaves much to be desired due to limited infrastructure, funding, and the natural rugged terrain of the country.
Due to the lacking healthcare infrastructure, prevention is key to staying healthy in Papua New Guinea. It is crucial that expats secure a comprehensive international health insurance that offers preventative care coverage and most important medical repatriation.
Healthcare in Samoa
With one of the highest populations in Polynesia, Samoa, despite its small population, has a basic healthcare infrastructure composed of hospitals and health centers for primary treatment. Samoa’s Overseas Medical Treatment treaty with New Zealand allows citizens to seek treatment in New Zealand.
Samoa does not offer expats medical assistance. Expats are expected to pay upfront for any medical visits. This is why securing private health insurance is critical for expats moving to Samoa and visitors. Expats will also want to consider an international health insurance for medical repatriation.
Healthcare in Fiji
Fiji features a state-run health system of decent quality and very few private healthcare facilities. Expats in Fiji will have access to the public sector, however, certain services may require a payment. The private sector will provide decent services and hygiene but can be quite pricey.
Similar to the other island nations, when it comes to specialized treatment, you will have to travel to New Zealand or Australia. Whether you’re relocating to Fiji or just traveling, it is highly recommended to have a comprehensive health insurance plan to cover the medical fees needed.
Healthcare in Solomon Islands
The public health services in Solomon Islands are open to everyone but despite that, expats are advised to visit private medical facilities when seeking medical attention. Whilst private medical facilities may be more expensive, they provide better services that are much more suited for expat needs.
For more advanced treatments expats medical evacuation and repatriation will be required, as such, these benefits are vital in expat’s private health insurance plans. Expats should also focus on preventions against tropical diseases when preparing to relocate to Solomon Islands.
Secure a Plan that Works for You with Pacific Prime
Healthcare in Oceania ranges depending on where your destination is, however it is still highly recommended that expats secure their own private health insurance even if they are relocating to countries like Australia and New Zealand where healthcare is well developed.
If you are looking to secure an international health insurance plan to protect yourself during your stay in Oceania, Pacific Prime can help you. With over two decades of experience, our expert advisors can help find a comprehensive plan that suits your needs and requirements.
Contact us today for a free plan comparison and an obligation-free quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of health insurance do I need when moving to Oceania?
It is recommended that expats moving to Oceania secure a comprehensive international health insurance that covers a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and medical evacuations and repatriations.
Can I rely on solely public healthcare systems in Oceania as an expat?
While some countries in Oceania have public healthcare systems that provide basic services, it is highly recommended that expats secure private health insurance for better quality care, shorter wait times, and access to a wider range of healthcare providers.
Will medical evacuation or repatriation be covered in cases of serious illness or injuries?
It is crucial that you check to see whether your private health insurance plan includes coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation, especially in remote areas in Oceania where advanced medical care may not be readily available, to avoid conflict with your insurer and out-of-pocket payment.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
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