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Health
Chat.
Your regular catch-up with UniMed.
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Member edition #2 — December 2021.
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Kia ora,
Welcome to our end-of-year edition of HealthChat.
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You’ll find some interesting facts about UniMed, as well as a few tips about the holiday season ahead.
While most of us at UniMed will be taking a break, staff will be on call, ready to support you with urgent claims and pre-approvals.
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My first year as Chief Executive has been both an exciting and challenging one, with the impact of COVID-19 underpinning the importance of mental health and wellbeing.
It has been a difficult time for most New Zealanders and has made our role as a leading provider of better health outcomes for more Kiwis even more vital.
Looking back over the year, I’m particularly pleased we’ve been able to add extra benefits at no cost to our members and business partners, especially our fully-funded mental health support initiative with Clearhead, which is available until 31 March 2022.
While it’s impossible to predict what 2022 will bring in terms of COVID-19, let’s hope our high vaccination rates mean we can be cautiously optimistic about regaining more and more normality in the coming months.
If you’d like to talk to me about anything to do with our Society, please email me anytime at ceo@unimed.co.nz.
And have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday.
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise
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HealthFacts.
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Our recent Annual Report highlighted New Zealanders' increasing need to access quality health outcomes. Here’s a snapshot of just how much we’ve supported our members this year:
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$62,680,000 total claims paid
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$251,000 average daily claims
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+11.9% in claims paid
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The top five dollar claims paid for members during the last quarter were:
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$126,000 cancer surgery, surgical procedure
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$111,000 spinal surgery, multiple levels
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$84,500 cardiac surgery, aortic valve
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$83,000 cancer surgery, surgical procedure, mastectomy and reconstruction
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$83,000 spinal surgery, multiple levels
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Of course, while this measures our performance in dollars, it’s how much we change people’s lives for the better that really counts to us. Our Annual Report is available on our website.
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HealthNews.
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Mental health has been and will
continue to be a real focus for
New Zealanders'.
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In fact, one in four Kiwis will struggle with a mental health challenge at some time in their life and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 is adding to the challenges we face.
Launched in September, our partnership with Clearhead provides access to therapy through Clearhead’s online booking system. We want to remind you that you have access to three fully-funded sessions with a therapist of your choice.
You can have your session online or in person, created to help reduce stress, handle anxieties, manage your moods, sleep better, and live a happier life. It couldn’t be more convenient as Clearhead provides 24-7 support with over 300 therapists throughout the country.
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HealthTips.
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The weeks leading up to Christmas can be so stressful right? Never-ending to-do lists seem to grow as you scramble to get everything sorted before things shut down. Sound familiar? So, here’s a bunch of tips to help you manage the stress and strains, thanks to our expert partners at Clearhead.
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Learn when to say no
Over-doing it during the holidays can turn a relaxing period into a recovery period, so pace yourself and say no when you’d rather relax than dash off to another social event.
Keep active
Regular exercise releases chemicals that can make you feel good, help you to concentrate, sleep and feel better.
Make time for family and friends
It is crucial to connect with people close to you. Especially in a climate of social distancing, human connection is important.
Have mindful moments
Paying attention to the present can improve our mental wellbeing. The easiest way to practice mindfulness is to focus on your breathing.
Utilise professional help
As a UniMed member, you’re eligible for 3-fully funded therapy sessions with a Clearhead therapist.
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HealthStory.
It's always heartening and gratifying to hear from our members, especially when we’ve been part of their lives for many years, like Rajendran Rajagopa from Hamilton.
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I’ve been a UniMed member since 2007, and they’ve always been really good value for money and covered any major illnesses my partner and I have had. The claims process is simple and straightforward and the customer service team is always polite and helpful.
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He aha te mea
nui o te ao?
He tāngata,
he tāngata,
he tāngata.
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, the people, the people.
Maori proverb.
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As our business grows, we’ll introduce some of our wider team, all working to help us deliver quality health outcomes to more Kiwis.
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Barry is accountable for our financial management operations, the development of strategies to meet capital and operating requirements and the ongoing monitoring of metrics and control systems designed to mitigate risk, preserve UniMed’s assets and report accurate financial results.
We love having Barry with us, and his financial acumen helps ensure we’re well-resourced and future-proofed to support our growing Society. Without a doubt, Barry’s financial nous has contributed to our Financial Strength Rating, reaffirmed as ‘A’ Excellent by AM Best.
Barry Donaldson
Chief Financial Officer, UniMed.
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HealthViews.
Louise’s latest blog about employees’ rights concerning bosses texting and emailing after hours is fascinating.
She recounts what’s happening in Europe and wonders if the laws being written in the northern hemisphere will find advocates down under.
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HealthChat.
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We want to chat with you more often. For any enquiries or if you’d like to contact us to share your UniMed experience or story, please write to us with all the details at members@unimed.co.nz. And if you’re happy, we may share your story in an upcoming HealthChat.
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Alternatively, speak to your advisor or contact us Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm on 0800 600 666, our friendly team are here to help.
Did you know we’re now on LinkedIn too?
Follow us here.
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