HealthCarePlus Newsletter - March 2016

Newsletter March 2016 Contact Claims, Subscriptions & Payments: 0800 800 441 General Enquiries: 0800 268 3763 Website www.healthcareplus.org.nz

Standard Hours Claims, subscriptions and payments: 8am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday Enquiry Line: 8.30 am – 5pm, Monday to Friday

Everyone is talking about Primary Care Extra – why should I

upgrade?

On October 1st last year the Education Benevolent Society (previously known as EBS) changed its trading name to HealthCarePlus.

As part of the rebrand HealthCarePlus also launched a new plan ‘Primary Care Extra’ which includes all of the benefits of Primary Care (the old Standard Plan), as well as: -

Dental treatment Travel and other vaccinations Some increased benefit maximums Mole mapping

What will it cost me per fortnight?  $9.50 (aged up to 45)  $11.16 (46-60 years)  $13.14 (61-65 years)  $14.83 (66 and over) (Rates based on single insured adult) How do I upgrade?

Claims Post claims together with original receipts to: P O Box 11-045 Manners Street, Wellington, 6142 Or Email claims to: contact@healthcareplus.org.nz

However, if you are emailing claims please ensure you retain the original copies, including receipts for auditing requirements.

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

Visit our website www.healthcareplus.org.nz and on the home page click the green button.

Want to know more? Call our helpline 0800 268 3763

The True Value of HealthCarePlus Risk Cover – Claim time!

“My husband had a serious heart attack and the first I knew about it was from the hospital. It was such a shock and a tense time for the whole family and I wasn’t sure how we would manage, so I rang Virginia, my HealthCarePlus Representative. She was fantastic.

She came to the house to make sure I was coping with the enormity of the situation and spent time with me, helping me to understand and complete forms that needed to be processed. Virginia was able to organise the claim quickly and financial aid was quick to arrive. My husband spent time recovering and was not able to return to work until given clearance by the medical team. The financial support from his insurance pay out came swiftly and without this we would have found it hard to make ends meet! “ The family were able to claim a public hospital cash grant under their HealthCarePlus Hospital Cover as well as a substantial lump sum payment under their HealthCarePlus Trauma policy.

To arrange a HealthCarePlus Trauma policy, call 0800 268 3765.

Why should I arrange Hospital Cover through HealthCarePlus?

Did you know that under your Primary Care or Primary Care Extra plans you can have your surgical excess reimbursed (up to $500) if you have an approved Hospital Cover? An approved Hospital Cover is one that has been arranged through your HealthCarePlus Representative. Arranging this through a HealthCarePlus Representative means that we can help you at claim time.

Policies are available with most of the New Zealand Medical Insurance companies. If you want to know more or be put in touch with your local HealthCarePlus Representative call 0800268 3763

HealthCarePlus Frontline Team

When you phone 0800 800 441, chances are that Sarah will answer the phone. Sarah has been with HealthCarePlus for eleven years and manages reception as well as many other administrative tasks for the team.

How do I know how much life insurance my family needs?

No one likes to think about dying too early. However, sadly every day we hear stories about friends, family and colleagues who have lost someone they care about.

How does life insurance help?

Think about your situation, would it help to;    

Clear debt, so family can continue to live in the family home?

Offset lost income so survivors are not financially stressed?

Provide funds to allow time out from work for the survivors while they grieve?

Assist with funeral costs and other final expenses?

Through HealthCarePlus you have access to life and disability insurances which are discounted up to 10% off retail rates for the life of your policy (not just for the first year).

Contact our enquiry line and we will put you in touch with your local HealthCarePlus Representative who can discuss your needs and provide you with options to consider. Call 0800 268 3763 to find out more.

Primary Care & Primary Care Extra Subscriptions One of the important reasons to be a HealthCarePlus member is that HealthCarePlus is owned by the education unions and this is one of the great benefits of being a union member!

Even though the Society is not for profit, to ensure its long term viability, it is necessary from time to time to increase subscription rates. On this basis the Board has just approved a recommendation by the actuary that a modest 5% increase is necessary. This increase to existing members will take place on March 30th. Please see new fortnightly rates tables below.

Primary Care

Primary Care Extra

When you call the enquiry line 0800 268 3763 either Eona or Carmen will be there to help answers your questions. Eona is new to our team this year, she is learning fast and is keen to help!

Did you know?

Your adult children can now continue to belong to HealthCarePlus even if they are over 21 and they are not education union members!

Under the new Whanau rules Over 21 year olds may continue to enjoy HealthCarePlus benefits by moving to a Non-union Member premium rate policy.

Family or Whanau is defined as a family member residing in the household of a HealthCarePlus Subscriber, or an ex-partner of a Subscriber, or a child of a Subscriber who is over 21 years of age. The HealthCarePlus Subscriber must be a financial member of, or be employed by a recognised organisation. Such a person, who is linked as Family/ Whanau, can be a HealthCarePlus Member by paying for the policy under their own name at a nonunion rate.

If you would like to join up your family members, visit http://healthcareplus.org.nz/Join+up +today or phone 0800 268 3763