Can I buy travel insurance if I have an interim Medicare Card?

If you hold an interim Medicare card and have applied for Australian residency, you may be eligible to purchase a travel insurance policy. However, your eligibility depends on meeting several conditions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

For Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia, if: 

✓ you currently reside in Australia; and 

✓ you hold a valid Australian Medicare card beyond the period of your policy; and 

✓ you purchase your policy before you commence your trip or you satisfy all of the requirements for purchasing a policy while you are already overseas; and 

✓ your trip starts and ends in Australia; and 

✓ you meet any other eligibility criteria we apply in the application process. 

For temporary residents of Australia, if: 

✓ you are a non-permanent resident who holds a valid Medicare card or are covered by an Australian private health insurance policy that satisfies the government health insurance requirements for your visa type and remains valid beyond the period of your policy; and 

✓ your visa remains valid beyond the period of your return; and 

✓ you have a home in Australia to which you intend to return; and 

✓ your trip starts and ends in Australia; and 

✓ you hold a return ticket to Australia; and 

✓ you meet any other eligibility criteria we apply in the application process. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.