We've been looking into private health insurance and I'm not too sure about what our status is on a 457.

On one of the websites, I looked at it says there is a reciprocal agreement with the UK and as such we would have to pay the medicare surchcharge or levy.

Does this mean that we can get medicare but have to pay a supplement or supplement medicare with basic hospital cover private medical insurance. There appear to have been a change from Nov 2007.

Also when I contacted IMAN they told me that my kids eczema and food intolerances would be considered preexisting conditions and therefore excluded from the policy for 12months. That would mean we have to pay full whack for treatment and alternative milk products which we get on prescription under NHS.

Manchester Unity didnt comment about the preexisting condition but whether they just read the part about prescriptions and missed comment that they already have the condition....???

How is child health dealt with in Australia? Are we not covered for anything at all then under 457 visa in spite of this reciprocal agreeement thing?

Anybody able to give me some guidance.