Insurance Comparison 2026
ahm OSHCvs.Bupa OSHC
An independent side-by-side comparison covering benefits, costs, and coverage details.
✓ Based on official policy documents ✓ Updated March 2026 ✓ Independent comparison
| Feature | ahm OSHC View Details | Best Coverage Bupa OSHC View Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Monthly price (single) | ~AUD 52 | ~AUD 63 |
| Annual price (single) | AUD 623 | AUD 760 |
| Couple (annual) | AUD 5,400 | AUD 5,026 |
| Family (annual) | AUD 11,000 | AUD 11,500 |
| Out-of-Hospital | ||
| GP visits % of Medicare Benefits Schedule | 100% MBS | 100% MBS |
| Specialist cover | 85% MBS | 100% MBS |
| Pathology & X-rays | 85% MBS | 100% MBS |
| In-Hospital | ||
| Hospital A&E Which hospitals covered | All hospitals | Public/agreement only |
| Ambulance | | |
| Prescriptions | ||
| Medication limit Per prescription item | AUD 50/item | AUD 50/item |
| Annual medication cap | AUD 300/yr | AUD 500/yr |
| Waiting Periods | ||
| Mental health (pre-existing) | 2 months | Waived |
| Pre-existing conditions | 12 months | 12 months |
| Obstetrics | 12 months | 12 months |
| Extras & Digital | ||
| Online doctor | No | Blua (free) |
| Dental/Optical extras Optional add-on cover | Not available | Optional add-on (dental, optical) |
| Claims portal | Online portal | Online + App |
| Hospital network | Same as Medibank (subsidiary) | Wide network — many uni partnerships |
| Visitahm OSHC → | VisitBupa OSHC → | |
ahm OSHC View Details
Pricing
Monthly price (single)
~AUD 52
~AUD 63
Annual price (single)
AUD 623
AUD 760
Couple (annual)
AUD 5,400
AUD 5,026
Family (annual)
AUD 11,000
AUD 11,500
Out-of-Hospital
GP visits
% of Medicare Benefits Schedule
100% MBS
100% MBS
Specialist cover
85% MBS
100% MBS
Pathology & X-rays
85% MBS
100% MBS
In-Hospital
Hospital A&E
Which hospitals covered
All hospitals
Public/agreement only
Ambulance
Prescriptions
Medication limit
Per prescription item
AUD 50/item
AUD 50/item
Annual medication cap
AUD 300/yr
AUD 500/yr
Waiting Periods
Mental health (pre-existing)
2 months
Waived
Pre-existing conditions
12 months
12 months
Obstetrics
12 months
12 months
Extras & Digital
Online doctor
No
Blua (free)
Dental/Optical extras
Optional add-on cover
Not available
Optional add-on (dental, optical)
Claims portal
Online portal
Online + App
Hospital network
Same as Medibank (subsidiary)
Wide network — many uni partnerships
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ahm is the cheapest for single students at AUD 623/year (approximately AUD 52/month). However, for couples and families, Allianz Care offers cheaper rates.
Yes, ahm is a subsidiary of Medibank. They share the same hospital network, which means ahm members have access to one of Australia's largest healthcare networks.
No, ahm does not offer extras cover (dental, optical). Among OSHC providers, only Bupa offers optional dental and optical extras as an add-on.
ahm has a 2-month waiting period for pre-existing mental health conditions. If immediate mental health coverage is important, consider Allianz Care or Medibank, which have no waiting period.
Yes, you can switch OSHC providers at any time during your studies. Contact your new provider to arrange the transfer. Coverage continues without gaps and no new waiting periods apply.
Bupa is the ONLY OSHC provider offering optional extras cover. You can add dental (checkups, fillings, extractions), optical (eye exams, glasses, contacts), and physiotherapy to your base OSHC policy for an additional premium.
Bupa covers specialist consultations and pathology at 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), while all other OSHC providers only cover 85%. This means lower out-of-pocket costs when seeing specialists.
Blua is Bupa's free online doctor service available to all OSHC members. You can consult a doctor via video call through the Blua app — no appointment needed. It's especially useful for minor health issues.
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