At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Health and Wellness Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Health and Wellness Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
Member Insider: Going on holiday? Here’s what you need to know about your cover
Few things beat the buzz of planning a holiday and imagining all the memories you’ll make. Now, you’ve booked your trip, packed your bags, and sorted your itinerary—but have you considered your health cover while overseas?
In this edition of Member Insider, we answer some of the most common questions about health insurance and travel.
Does my CBHS private health insurance cover overseas medical costs?
No. Australian health funds, including CBHS, only cover medical and hospital expenses within Australia. That’s because Hospital cover applies to services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), which only covers treatments in Australia.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance is essential. It may protect you from unexpected medical costs, including hospital stays, ambulance transport, and medical evacuations back to Australia. Some policies also cover emergency dental care and extended accommodation costs if you need to stay longer due to a medical emergency.
Most countries don’t offer free healthcare, and medical bills can be extremely high. In some places, if you can’t pay, you may not receive treatment.
Some countries even require proof of medical travel insurance before approving your visa, so it’s crucial to check your cover before you leave.
Does health insurance cover overseas cosmetic surgery?
No. While some people travel overseas for cosmetic surgery (also known as ‘medical tourism’), Australian private health funds don’t cover these costs.
I bought glasses overseas. Can I claim them with CBHS?
No. To claim on goods or services, such as optical, they must be supplied by a CBHS-recognised provider. Overseas providers aren’t recognised by CBHS.
Does my private health insurance cover me if I get injured during a domestic travel?
Yes, your CBHS health cover applies across Australia. If you become ill or have an accident while traveling domestically:
- Medicare covers treatment in public hospitals.
- CBHS has agreements with over 500 private and day hospitals nationwide if you choose private hospital care. Contact us to check your cover before admission to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
- CBHS Hospital cover includes ambulance cover, which can save you from high emergency transport fees.
What are travel vaccines, and can I claim them on health insurance?
Many countries still have active diseases that are rare in Australia, like rabies, yellow fever, and tetanus. Travel vaccines help protect against these.
You might be able to claim travel vaccines under your CBHS Extras cover, depending on your policy. While consultations and GP fees aren’t claimable, some vaccines may be covered if they’re not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). To check, email help@cbhs.com.au with the name and cost of the vaccine.
The types of vaccines you need will depend on your overseas destination/s. Research your destinations’ health risks and check with your GP or travel vaccination clinic. You can also read more at Healthdirect or smartraveller.
I’m going on a cruise. Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! While cruise ships have doctors onboard, medical services can be very expensive. Medicare and private health insurance don’t cover medical treatment on a cruise, even in Australian waters.
Travel insurance can cover onboard medical treatment, hospital transfers, and emergency medical evacuations—costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Check that your travel insurance policy includes cruise-specific cover.
Read more about travel insurance for cruises, at smartraveller.
Can I suspend my health insurance while traveling?
Yes. If you’ve held a CBHS membership for at least 12 months and will be overseas for a continuous period of six weeks (but not exceeding 36 months), you can apply to suspend your membership.
How do I suspend my policy?
- You'll need to provide proof of travel, such as an airline ticket, airline itinerary or a statutory declaration, and complete a Suspension of Cover Form
CBHS will automatically reactivate your membership on the reactivation date provided on the Suspension of Cover Form. It you're returning early, notify CBHS to reactivate your membership.
What happens while my policy is suspended?
- You can’t make claims during the suspension
- Waiting periods pause and resume once your membership is reinstated
- If you earn above the income threshold, you may have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge while your membership is suspended (an extra 1–1.5% in tax, depending on your income).
Does CBHS provide travel insurance?
No, but we hope this article can help inform and empower you in finding the right travel insurance policy for your needs.
Where can I find more information on travelling safely?
For the latest travel advice and emergency assistance, visit the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website.
The above information is intended for general information purposes only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. The information provided should not be relied upon as financial, insurance or health advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified professional.
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