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Member Edition - September 2025
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Welcome to your latest edition of HealthChat. In this edition, we introduce the new health and wellbeing benefits included in your membership. Plus, meet our new CEO.
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A message from our CEO.
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I'm delighted to share that our new proactive health and wellbeing services have officially launched – and we’re already hearing how they’re making a difference.
One Member told us her husband used one of the at-home bowel screening kits and, although he had no symptoms, the test came back positive, prompting a visit to the doctor for a checkup.
Another Member used the SkinVision app to scan a skin spot. The app recommended he get it checked, and his doctor will be removing it in a few weeks – potentially preventing something more serious.
These stories are exactly why we’re proud to introduce Active Benefits and Active Care, included in your membership. It’s about empowering you to act now – supporting both your mind and body to reduce avoidable illness, while also being there with personalised support when you need it most.
This is UniMed’s point of difference: our active approach to fulfilling our purpose of keeping New Zealanders in lifelong good health.
We know that the rising cost of private health insurance is a concern for many of our Members. At UniMed, we're always thinking about how these pressures affect you - especially as treatment costs continue to climb and more Members use their health insurance.
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If you're wondering whether changes to your policy could make things more manageable, please reach out to the team to talk through your options.
This is my final HealthChat newsletter as my role as interim CEO comes to a close and I prepare to hand over to UniMed’s new CEO, Lance Walker, who joins us from 20 October 2025. Read on to learn more about Lance and what’s next for UniMed.
Thank you for your support, it has been a pleasure to serve you over the last 10 months.
Ngā mihi,
Lynne Hayman
Interim CEO
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Welcoming our new CEO.
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Lance Walker has been appointed as UniMed’s CEO, starting 20 October 2025.
Lance brings over 25 years of leadership experience across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, including eight years as a CEO in life, health, and travel insurance.
Lance’s previous role as CEO of Accuro Health Insurance Society Limited, which was transferred to UniMed in 2024, highlights his deep understanding of the health insurance sector and membership-based mutual societies.
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Health and wellbeing support.
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Active Benefits.
Helping you stay well, every day
- Mental wellbeing support
- Bowel screening kits
- An app to help with early detection of skin cancer
- Nutrition consults
- Fitness and recovery consults
- Ask a GP online service
- Flu vaccines
Eligibility criteria applies. Check our website for details.
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Active Care.
Personalised support when illness happens
- Coaching program for people living with cancer
- Mental health support
- Nutrition, fitness and recovery support
Eligibility criteria applies. Check our website for details.
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Upcoming events.
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Let's talk about bowel health
Join us for an informative session, in partnership with The Gut Foundation, as we explore the importance of bowel screening and early detection.
What to expect:
- Why bowel screening matters – and how to access a kit
- Insights from The Gut Foundation on bowel health and early detection
- Live Q&A in a safe space
Whether you're curious, concerned, or simply want to learn more, this webinar is designed to empower you with knowledge and support.
Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
Time: 12pm – 1pm
Location: Online
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More events coming soon
We have a series of online events coming up to share more about our Active Benefits and Active Care services.
Keep an eye on our website for updates!
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We're going paperless.
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Later this year we'll be moving all policy-related communications to email.
If you're receiving this to your work email, we recommend you update us with your personal email address. This is because some policy communications may contain private health information.
We also encourage you to use your Member Portal, where you can:
- Submit claims in just a few minutes - portal claims are processed faster
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- Easily upload receipts and invoices from your phone
- View your Health Plan documents anytime
If you need to update your email, please do that first before registering for the portal.
Thank you for supporting this eco-friendly change to help reduce costs!
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In brief.
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Nominations for Board open.
We’re now accepting nominations for the UniMed Board to fill one upcoming vacancy.
Chris Flatt has been an elected Director since October 2019 and is completing his second three-year term. Chris is offering himself for re-election (directors can serve a maximum of 3 x three-year terms). Nominations are open to all eligible candidates.
If you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else, please make sure to do so by 5pm on 28 September 2025.
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Update on Rules review.
Our extensive review of the UniMed Rules is progressing well.
While our Rules have served us well over many years, it is time to ensure our Rules are fit for purpose and provide the best governance for our society and Members as we navigate changes within the health sector.
This is the first comprehensive review of the Rules since 2012.
A full information pack will be sent out in due course for member consideration, with Members able to vote on the proposed Rules at a Special General Meeting to be scheduled in early 2026.
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We'd love to hear from you.
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