EBS Xmas newsletter

EBS Helpline: 0800 268 3763 Email: ebs@crombie.co.nz www.ebs.org.nz

Christmas Newsletter 2013 Welcome to our Christmas newsletter, we hope that the end of the term is starting to wind down now and that you are looking forward to a long summer break!

Our union bargaining power enables us to offer you discounts and products not generally available to the public.

Check out our website: http://ebs.org.nz/ We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy and safe festive season!

The Value of Your Standard Plan

Look at the chart below to see how much has been paid in Standard Plan claims in this last year alone!

EBS was formed back in 1964 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to you the education sector workers! We are owned by your unions (ISEA, NZEI, PPTA, PSA, TEU & TIASA) and here to provide members with valuable assistance in times of need.

The Standard Plan was created by us to assist when you or your immediate family need:        

Hospital treatment Major diagnostic testing To see your GP, get prescriptions, blood tests or xrays Medical appliances Complimentary treatment (e.g. seeing a physiotherapist or chiropractor) An eye examination or new glasses due to a change in vision Orthodontic treatment for your children Money if you the member are on ‘Sick leave without pay’

We also provide financial assistance if:  

An immediate family member dies An immediate family member is born

Another valuable benefit that is exclusive to the EBS Standard Plan is the reimbursement of the surgical excess on your ‘Hospital Cover’ policy – up to $500. Please note though that this only applies to hospital cover policies arranged through your EBS financial adviser.

Christmas Hours: EBS Standard Plan Enquiries: Office closed Dec 20 – Jan 13 2014. If you would like payment before Xmas then please post your claims into EBS now.

EBS Hospital & Risk Policies: The EBS Helpline will not be manned between Dec 20 – Jan 6 2014, please call your EBS Financial Adviser or your insurance company direct during these dates for any assistance.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained in this newsletter are of a general nature and may not be relevant to your situation.

Strawberry Santas Important message from your colleague I was working at a secondary school as support staff when my EBS adviser, Virginia came to morning tea to talk about the benefits available to staff from EBS. I was 38 years at the time married with 3 children. Because of the presentation made by Virginia I decided that maybe it was time to consider taking out medical insurance for the family. My husband had a cancer scare so it seemed like a good idea to take out insurance.

Two years after taking out the policy I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer stage 3. I contacted my EBS adviser who organised a prior approval with the insurance company…… this at least took the worry away as to the financial repercussions. Within 11 days of diagnosis I had cancer surgery followed by portacath and chemotherapy and then further lumps in the neck and throat, all of which was covered by my insurance company, Sovereign Assurance.

At the time I was diagnosed I met another lady who had the same cancer, she unfortunately did not have private medical insurance and had to use the public system. Her surgery was delayed for some weeks and she unfortunately died. I appreciate the importance of getting on to early diagnosis and treatment and appreciate the visit that day by my EBS adviser, as I may have never got around to taking out hospital cover had she not talked about medical insurance. I have been 6 years clear now.

Talk to your EBS adviser about how an EBS Hospital Plan could work for your family or call 0800 268 3763 to discuss options with an EBS adviser near you.

What else does EBS offer?

Remember if you are looking at refinancing in the New Year, we now offer EBS Home Loans Solution, which is not only a loan but a debt management program to help you become debt free faster. Call 0800 268 3763 to arrange a no obligation consultation.

EBS has yet another new benefit being launched in the New Year! Watch this space for more information…..

To make these cute guys, you will need some large strawberries, stiffened cream & chocolate drops.

Chop the strawberries 2/3 of the way up & place stiffened cream for head, top with remainder of strawberry for hat, with a small dollop of cream for pom-pom.

Place 2 choc drops into cream head for the eyes and keep in the fridge until eaten! Enjoy 

As the year draws to a close, the festivities of Christmas and the season of giving is upon us. Life insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to giving a gift, but a present doesn’t have to be wrapped and tied with a bow for it to be remembered and appreciated.

What gift is better than peace of mind? Peace of mind for your family knowing that they will be financially secure if the unexpected was to happen.

Life insurance is an easy and cost-effective way to provide for your family. Once it’s in place you can rest assured that you have done the right thing for your family, and you only need to revisit it if your circumstances change.

Life insurance can be used to:

  

 

Replace a lost income Provide financial ‘breathing space’ while coming to terms with the loss of a loved one Give a surviving parent or guardian the option to be able to stay home with the children, pay off the mortgage and any other debts you may have Cover the costs of education and healthcare for your family As a minimum, use it to cover the cost of a funeral.

So, although life insurance is not a tangible gift that they can see under the Christmas tree, nor we hope will it be a gift that will give instant satisfaction, it would be greatly valued in the event of a claim.

EBS can arrange this for you via your EBS financial adviser who can provide advice regarding the right level of cover, ownership and other protection your family may need. Call us on 0800 268 3763 to arrange an appointment or alternatively you can now apply online http://www.ebs-insure.co.nz

To find out more on any of the benefits available to you as a union member, please call the EBS Helpline on 0800 268 3763. You can also go check the website www.ebs.org.nz or email ebs@crombie.co.nz