International students who are struggling with their health understand their health cover least, according to new research from Medibank and Nous Group.
The report, released at the Australian International Education Conference in Sydney on Thursday, found that one in four international students struggle with their health and wellbeing. Students in the poorest-wellbeing groups reported lower awareness of available services, lower confidence using the Australian healthcare system and weaker understanding of their Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Many delayed seeking help or did not seek it at all.
The gaps are widest on the details that matter most at claim time. Among students with poorer wellbeing, only 39% said they understood what their OSHC does not cover, against 54% of students with higher wellbeing. Some 45% said they understood when to pay upfront and claim later, against 55%. A further 47% said they knew how to make a claim, against 55%. Fewer than half of the students with poorer wellbeing said they understood at least three of five basic aspects of their cover. Fewer than one in five international students overall reported a strong understanding of the Australian healthcare system.
The report identifies loneliness as a key warning sign of deeper health risk. Students in their second and third years were more likely than newer arrivals to report feeling lonely often or always, suggesting connection does not simply improve with time.
“What we’ve heard is that for many students, health and wellbeing challenges don’t start with a crisis. Feelings of loneliness, isolation and disconnection can be early warning signs that someone may be struggling,” said Medibank executive, overseas, Becky Hyde. She said the insurer would use the findings to shape how it supports its international student customers and university partners.
Nous Group principal Zac Ashkanasy said universities already provide many services, “but not enough of the students at greatest risk are using them”. The report calls for a clearer front door to support, and for information on what OSHC covers, what it costs and how to claim to be delivered at the moments students need it.
The report draws on a survey of 2,296 international students at six universities, focus groups, staff interviews and Medibank OSHC claims data. Medibank notes the survey was cross-sectional and its findings cannot be generalised to all international students in Australia. Medibank is itself an OSHC provider.
For insurers and the education agents and universities that distribute OSHC, the exclusions and pay-upfront rules are where the explanation gap is widest. Those are also where a student’s first claim can go wrong.
