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Member Edition - March 2025
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Welcome to your latest edition of HealthChat. We’re kicking off with a focus on nutrition. Get tips from the Crusaders’ Performance Dietician, learn about our new partnership with The Gut Foundation, and check out our Member offers.
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A message from our CEO
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Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025.
The year has started with much reflection as I look back on the past four years since I began this role.
During this time, we have become New Zealand’s third largest health insurer and expanded our interests into mental wellbeing and health and safety through strategic investments.
Our membership base has grown by over 50% and we have strengthened our internal capabilities significantly.
Having led this phase of growth and development, I have decided that now is the right time for me to move on from UniMed.
I will be stepping down from my role as CEO at the end of March.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as your CEO, for every interaction I have had with our Members, and for the support and dedication of our incredible team.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
I am confident that UniMed will continue to thrive and achieve even greater heights in the future.
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With that in mind, I am delighted to be handing over to Lynne Hayman who will step in as Interim CEO while we recruit for a permanent CEO over the next few months.
Lynne is our current Interim Chief Operating Officer and she brings a wealth of experience as a senior executive across a wide variety of industries.
Read on to find out more about Lynne.
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise Zacest
Chief Executive
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Introducing our Interim CEO
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Lynne Hayman will step in as UniMed’s Interim CEO from 31 March to the end of October.
She has an extensive background in leadership and governance, having previously served as Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, Horticulture New Zealand, and Wellington Combined Taxis.
She is also a Chartered Accountant with a strong foundation in financial management and strategic planning.
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Lynne Hayman
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Health Focus.
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Fueling your engine: How food impacts performance
At UniMed, we believe that starting the year with healthy eating habits sets the tone for a year of wellbeing and vitality.
Through our partnership with the Crusaders, we recently heard from their Performance Dietician, Conrad Goodhew, about the relationship between food and performance.
Conrad reminds us to “make your lunch as good as dinner” and the importance of prioritising nutrient-dense meals throughout the day.
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Impact of stress on digestion: During the stress response, our bodies prioritise immediate survival over digestion, which can lead to digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and make stress levels worse.
Balanced nutrition: A practical approach to nutrition involves balanced meals with a focus on whole foods. Conrad introduces a simple plate model: a quarter plate of protein, a quarter plate of carbohydrates, and half a plate of fruits and vegetables.
Snacking strategies: Mini meals or larger snacks between main meals can help to maintain consistent energy levels and prevent over-eating.
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A new partnership for better gut health
Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of death affecting New Zealanders, and is very treatable if detected and diagnosed early.
We are proud to partner with The Gut Foundation, supporting their mission to improve gut health outcomes through research into gut diseases and delivery of education around gut health, in New Zealand.
As a UniMed member, you will be able to access exclusive content and education from The Gut Foundation, so keep an eye out for updates.
In the meantime, there are things that you can do to be proactive about gut health, such as:
- Eating a diverse diet – you are feeding the multitude of microbes in your gut and the more diverse whole foods you eat contributes to a diverse and thriving microbiome
- Fibre is especially important, 30g a day for men, 25g per day for women
- Drinking enough fluids – staying well hydrated helps avoid constipation
- Leaving at least two hours before your last meal and when you go to sleep.
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The Gut Foundation CEO, Alice Fitzgerald, with their Ambassador, Scott 'Razor' Robertson.
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What’s food got to do with mood?
One of our mental health partners, Clearhead, explains how diet significantly impacts mental health, highlighting that a balanced intake of nutrients is essential for the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood. It emphasises that consuming whole foods and avoiding highly processed foods can improve energy levels and overall mental wellbeing.
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Build healthier habits with My Food Bag
Our friends at My Food Bag are keeping their birthday celebrations rolling with an extended offer for our members. We know that nutrition is a key part of staying in good health, so new or returning My Food Bag customers can enjoy 50% off your first delivery, 20% off your second and third, and 10% off your fourth, valid until 30 April 2025. Find out more about this offer on the My Food Bag website. Use the promo code UNIMED when at the checkout. T&Cs apply.
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15% off travel insurance
Planning a trip soon? New Zealanders love to travel, and our Members are no exception. We have teamed up with Allianz Partners to offer our Members a 15% special discount for international and domestic leisure travel insurance. To take advantage of this offer, please visit our website to access the booking link. Please note that the promotion discount is only shown after selecting a travel insurance plan and navigating through to the 'payment' stage of the quote.
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Register to access your portal
Have you signed up for our Member Portal yet? Register today to:
- Submit claims online
- Request prior approval or surgical payment
- Change your details or upgrade your cover
Coming soon! You’ll able to view and download your Health Plan documents directly in the portal, making it easier to understand what you are covered for.
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Meet our team...
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Sue Robertson
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Sue Robertson is one of Member Experience Specialists, who processes claims and answers claim and policy queries from our Members. She also helps to assess pre-approvals.
Sue’s favourite way to keep active is to head to the hills for a hike with her dog, Moose, as they both love to exercise with beautiful views! If she can’t get to the hills, Sue also enjoys off-road biking, a bit of yoga, and has recently gotten back into running.
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FAQs
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How do I reset my password when I register for the portal?
Once you submit all the details required to register for the UniMed Member Portal / Smart Claim, you will receive another email asking you to reset your password.
Please copy and paste your temporary password in the password field on the form to ensure all characters are accurate.
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We'd love to hear from you. For any enquiries, please email members@unimed.co.nz.
Alternatively, give one of our friendly team a call on 0800 600 666 between
8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
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