Healthcare and Insurance
Important Information for Students holding a Studentsafe-University Insurance Policy in 2010
In 2010 you will be required to make initial payment of consultation fees associated with Student Health Services you will then need to claim back the cost of the consultation directly from the Insurer (Vero).
Claim forms will be available at Student Health Services, the International Office and online at: http://www.studentassist.co.nz/.
While it is preferred that the consultation payment is made on the day, those who are unable to pay will still be seen by a health professional and will be subsequently sent an account.
Please note that this change in no way impacts on the benefits or coverage of your policy.
For more information on this or any other insurance matter please contact: international.insurance@otago.ac.nz
Eligibility for Health Services
Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand which is why it is compulsory for international students to have compliant Medical and Travel Insurance. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health
Medical and Travel Insurance
The New Zealand Government requires that all international students have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. This includes students on a Work Permit/Visa with a Variation of Condition to study part time. Evidence of suitable medical and travel insurance must be presented as a condition of enrolment at the University.
Requirements for 2010 Enrolled Students
Information for Students returning in 2010
The University of Otago's preferred insurance provider is Studentsafe-University, and from 17 January 2010 will be underwritten by Vero Insurance Ltd. Those students who wish to take out the Studentsafe-University policy need to indicate their intention on the insurance commitment form by ticking the box appropriate to their family situation and study period.
Studentsafe-University policies are available for:
- Summer School only
- Single Semester only
- Summer School and Semester One
- Summer School and Full Year
- Full Year
Students must take out the package that covers their entire course of study in 2010. For example, students who are registered for a full degree at the University of Otago must choose the Full Year insurance option.
Once the commitment form has been filled in and signed, it must be returned to the International Office. Cover will begin automatically when the student leaves home to travel to Otago, so long as this occurs no earlier than 31 days prior to the commencement date of the course of study for 2010. The premium (insurance payment) can be paid prior to departure along with tuition fees, or once the student arrives at Otago. Cover for returning Otago students who have returned the commitment form and choose to remain in New Zealand over the summer break will begin automatically on 17 January 2010.
Download the Returning Student Insurance Commitment form (72k in PDF format)
Medical and Travel Insurance Requirements
The New Zealand Government requires that international students have compliant and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. Evidence of suitable medical and travel insurance must be presented as a condition of enrolment at the University.
Requirements for 2010 Intake Students:
If you are seeking entry to the University in 2010, you are required to present a medical and travel policy which complies with the insurance content requirements.
Studentsafe-University
Studentsafe-University is the preferred insurance provider. The University has negotiated highly competitive premiums which are outlined below. If you elect to purchase the Studentsafe package, you will be able to arrange the insurance directly with the University and pay the insurance premium with your tuition fees.
The Studentsafe University medical and insurance package is specially designed to meet the needs of international students in New Zealand and fully complies with the New Zealand Code of Practice insurance guidelines listed below. For the schedule of benefits check the Studentsafe website.
The 2010 Studentsafe Insurance Rates are as follows:
Individual options:
Summer School only: $125.00
One Semester: $250.00
One Semester plus Summer School: $292.00
One Year: $500.00
One Year plus Summer School: $541.50
Family Options:
Summer School only: $325.00
One Semester: $651.00
One Semester plus Summer School: $759.00
One Year: $1301.00
One Year plus Summer School: $1409.00
All premiums quoted above are in New Zealand dollars.
If you wish to purchase the family option, please contact the insurance administrator at international.insurance@otago.ac.nz and request a family member policy application form (if not previously completed).
Other Policies
Other insurance policies may be accepted. However, in each case, the policy must fully comply with the insurance content requirements. You are advised not to purchase an alternative policy until the University has notified you that it is code compliant. The following New Zealand policies are regarded as meeting the University's requirements:
- Uni-Care NZ Student Plan
- Southern Cross Student Max
- Orbit Protect Prime
You will be required to present the original of your insurance policy certificate or a certified copy to staff at Course Approval, so that the details of the policy can be recorded. If you are submitting a compliant alternative policy, please contact the insurance administrator at international.insurance@otago.ac.nz and request an Acknowledgement and Waiver of Liability for Alternative Policies form which you will need to complete and return before your alternative policy can be loaded onto the University of Otago's database.
If you are planning on purchasing another policy, in New Zealand or elsewhere, you are advised to self-check this policy against the insurance content requirements as stipulated in the Guidelines to the Code of Practice .
If you believe that the policy conforms to the requirements, you will need to submit an English version of the complete policy (not just the insurance certificate) to the International Office at least six weeks before the start of your course. The International Office will arrange for your policy to be assessed for compliance with the insurance content requirements. You should not purchase an alternative insurance product until the University has confirmed that this policy is acceptable.
If the policy is judged:
- not to meet requirements, you will be required to take out the Studentsafe insurance product;
- to meet requirements, you will be required to present the original of your insurance policy certificate (or a certified copy) at Course Approval. The certificate must show your name, the type of policy, policy number and length of cover. If not in English, the insurance certificate must be translated into English (prior to Course Approval) and be certified as a true translation of the original.
Insurance policies submitted later than six weeks prior to the start of your course will not be accepted for evaluation, and you will automatically be enrolled in the Studentsafe-University scheme. The University accepts no responsibility for student purchase of insurance products which do not comply with the insurance content requirements.
Overseas Based Study
If you have to study overseas as part of your degree (that is, a PhD student doing research overseas or students doing Medical Electives) your Studentsafe-University will not provide you with sufficient cover. However, there is an insurance package, "Studentsafe-University Offshore", which is designed specifically for students who are required to study offshore for part of their degree.
More information about this policy
Insurance Content Requirements
Information on the content requirement may be found in the Guidelines to support the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students
Student Health Services
Student Health Services is a team of health professionals on campus including doctors, nurses and counsellors committed to your overall well-being during your life as a student. For more information about the full range of services and costs please refer to the Student Health Services website
Dental Care
You will need to consult a private practitioner for any dental problems. Most student insurance policies in New Zealand will not cover dental care. There are a number of private dental practices close to campus. Students can also access trainee dentists at the School of Dentistry.
Accident Insurance
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website
