Allianz Care responds to surge in demand for mental health services as international students return to Australia
Announcement posted by Thrive PR 05 Apr 2023
In response to a surge in demand for mental health services surpassing pre-pandemic levels, coupled with enrolments from foreign students growing, Allianz Care Australia, one of Australia’s most experienced providers of health cover for international students has launched a new direct billing mental health network for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policyholders.
Since the onset of COVID-19, Allianz Care Australia has witnessed an overwhelming demand from its OSHC members requiring better access to treatment for mental health conditions.
Miranda Fennell, Executive Head of Health, at Allianz Partners Australia, said “Students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are at a greater risk of experiencing mental health issues, and are often affected by a variety of stressors while studying abroad – living in another country, losing support networks, financial difficulties, and finding housing and accommodation.”
“Under the new model, providers directly bill Allianz Care Australia for the MBS component of their fees. The network also gives Allianz Care Australia OSHC members access to reduced ‘gap fees’ to make seeking care for mental health treatment as affordable as possible.”
Ms Fennell said the mental health of international students is of primary concern for Allianz Care and its education partners, which include major universities and education providers. We want to ensure our members remain well, enjoy their time in Australia and complete their studies.
The network comprises over 200 practitioners spanning psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health social workers across the whole of Australia. Spearheading the network is two major providers:
Lysn is an Australian, multi-award winning online mental health service designed to provide access to a wide range of mental health practitioners which members can access personal care from anywhere via video and phone consultations.
Tahnee Clark, LYSN CEO says ‘LYSN is thrilled to announce that Allianz Care Australia have added LYSN as a Psychology Service Provider in Australia. The partnership will make mental health treatment even more affordable and accessible for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) members, providing access to LYSN's award winning telehealth services”
New View Psychology is Australia’s largest psychology provider with over 150 clinicians operating from over 60 locations Australia-wide with consultations available either face to face or via telehealth.Maria Mercuri, New View Psychology’s Director/Principal Psychologist says “We are thrilled to be able to support students Australia wide and provide high quality mental health support to Allianz Care Australia OSHC policy holders. The NVP team are well positioned to empower and work in partnership with international students so they can succeed academically and in life here in Australia.
The Allianz Care Australia mental health network was developed as part of an overarching strategy which takes a holistic view of the treatment of mental health of overseas students, and is part of a long-term strategy to deliver members options for care at all points in their mental health journey
The launch of these two key initiatives builds on existing services provided by Allianz Care Australia including the Allianz Care Mental Wellbeing App an early intervention tool and providing eligible Allianz Care policyholders access to evidence based, highly engaging capacity building programs for resilience, optimism and self-efficacy.
Allianz Care’s ecosystem of care puts personalised tools at the fingertips of international students and visitors so they can navigate study, work, and life challenges with confidence.
*The Allianz Care Mental Wellbeing App, including any services arranged via the app are provided, managed and administered by Uprise Services Pty Ltd ACN 610 179 229. Uprise’s terms and conditions are located here. AWP Australia Pty Ltd ACN 097 227 177, trading as Allianz Care, nor any of its related bodies corporate, manage, administer or have any liability in respect to the app or services provided by Uprise Services Pty Ltd.
Press contact
Thrive PR – allianzpartners@thrivepr.com.au
About Allianz Partners
Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Our products are embedded seamlessly into our partners’ businesses or sold directly to customers, and are available through two commercial brands in Australia: Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Care. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer assistance to our customers around the world.
For more information, please visit: www.allianzpartners.com.au
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