Allianz Care Australia (Allianz Care) has launched a home treatment program for overseas student health insurance members who require cancer treatment in Australia.

The insurer has introduced the home treatment program for cancer after the COVID-19 pandemic forced countries to close their borders and implement lockdowns, leaving overseas students with cancer in a difficult position.

The program, supported by Nuevo Health (part of IQVIA), enables members to receive cancer treatment at home instead of a hospital, improving the lives of overseas students and providing another option for persons requiring cancer treatment. As part of the program, Allianz Care members will receive repeat cycle treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, chronic illness infusions, and other supportive therapies commonly prescribed for cancer treatment.

Read more: Allianz Partners delves into healthcare trends accelerated by COVID-19

Using telemedicine, virtual wards, and health technology has become the new normal across the globe, according to a recent Allianz Partners Australia report.

The new program will be available throughout 2022 for Alliance Care's overseas student health cover members. However, the insurer plans to offer it to overseas visitor health cover members in 2023.

“Being diagnosed with cancer is a significant and often life-changing event. For overseas students, the situation is often compounded by being in a foreign country away from the support of friends and family,” said Allianz Partners Australia chief medical officer Dr. Geoff Ramin.  “Cancer treatment is often highly disruptive and can involve extended hospital stays over many months or years depending on the diagnosis and type of cancer. This new program will limit the disruption to study, work, and everyday life and help our members maintain their independence.”

To participate in the program, Allianz Care overseas student health cover members must be considered stable, have already received at least three doses of treatment in the hospital without adverse reactions, have a suitable and safe home environment, and have served any waiting periods under their policy.