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Claiming for Prescription Medicines

Yes, you can claim for prescription medicines under your OSHC Worldcare policy.

What is a prescription medicine?

A ‘prescription medicine’ refers to medicines that require a completed medical prescription to enable the medicine to be provided. Medicines that can be purchased over the counter without prescription from a doctor cannot be reimbursed under this policy.

How much money will I receive?

Prescription medicines are reimbursed minus the co-payment required under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The co-payment is currently set at $23.70. This means that you can claim for prescription medicines which cost more than and be reimburse for costs above $23.70.

Are there limits on the benefits I receive?

You can claim up to a maximum benefit of $50 per prescribed item, and a maximum of $150 per calendar year for a single policy and $300 for a family policy.

How To Claim For Your Prescription Medicines

  • Step 1: Your doctor has prescribed you medicine
  • Step 2: You purchase your medicine from a pharmacy
  • Step 3: Complete a claim form
    • Manual claim forms available from your International student service office or download a claim form from the website
      OR
    • Online claims can submitted on the website http://www.oshcworldcare.com.au/
  • Step 4: Attach your original pharmacy receipt to the claim form or write the online reference on the back of the receipt and send to Worldcare.
    Prepaid envelopes are available from your International student services.
  • Step 5: Your reimbursement will be deposited directly into your bank account or forwarded to you by cheque

Case Studies

Can I claim for a prescription medicine that cost under $23.70?
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme states that a co-payment of $23.70 is required for each prescription. This means that you cannot claim a benefit from prescription medicines under this amount.

My medicine cost me $48, how much will I get back?
As the co-payment required is $23.70, the benefit is determined by $48-$23.70. This means that you will receive a benefit of $24.30.

I have bought 3 month supply of my prescription medicine, each month cost $30, how much will I get back?
The total of your purchase cost $90. The co-payment will be deducted from each packet and not of the total purchase. The benefit will be calculated as $90-($23.70 x 3). This means that you will receive a benefit of $18.90.