Practical support to improve your health, wellbeing and happiness Preventative Health Benefits Guide
What s good for you is good for everybody CONTENTS Helping you make a fresh start Page 4 Just how healthy are you? Consult your own personal health coach Breathe easier with no butts Tip the scales in your favour Step out and get moving without the stress Prevention is better than cure Page 6 Get your shots before you fly Protection from cervical cancer Strong bones for life Breast Health Practical support through thick and thin Page 7 Make knowledge your greatest ally Support before and after baby Get home sooner from hospital Live better with diabetes Page 8 Get the facts to keep you healthy Don t let your diabetes manage you Strengthen your chances for a better quality of life Managing major medical conditions Page 9 Regaining control after a cardiac event Keeping pace with your ticker Better support, no bones about it Who can benefit and how? Page 10 Are you eligible? How to take advantage of your benefits Preventative health benefits eligibility criteria Why do we need to do something about the state of our national wellbeing? At Australian Unity we are committed to more than just paying our members medical claims. Our research over the past five years shows alarming trends. Members diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have risen by 17% year-on-year, while those presenting with coronary events have increased by 7% year-on-year and over 60% of adults surveyed are overweight. The good news is most of these conditions can be prevented with, what are often, simple lifestyle changes. Good nutrition and increased physical activity can make a tremendous difference in reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some cancers. But research and talk can take us only so far. That s why we ve decided to take the lead and pave the way to a healthier future for all. In this booklet you ll find practical incentives and support to help you make small changes that can have enormous benefits for your health and enjoyment of life. Here s to your health, now and in the long run Of course, improving our members health has benefits for us as well by reducing the volume of claims over time. It s a win win strategy that we hope all health funds will follow. Because what s good for you today, will be good for the whole of Australia in the long-run. Preventative health leads the field Australian Unity is pleased to have received the Canstar Cannex Innovation Award 2009 for our preventative health benefits. From monetary rewards for healthy behaviour like losing weight or quitting smoking, to travel and cervical cancer vaccinations to help members proactively protect their health, we want to partner with our members to help them stay well and active. We also offer chronic disease management programs for conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis to help members with these conditions to take better control and stay out of hospital. 3
Helping you make a fresh start For many of us, knowing what s good for us and doing something about it are quite separate things. Here s some useful support to make it easier for you to take that vital first step towards a healthier, happier you. Just how healthy are you? A regular check up with your GP to see how your blood pressure is, to monitor your waist line and more is all part of a good health regime, and we re here to help. For consultations not covered by Medicare we ll pay up to $150 per person a calendar year towards the cost. Be sure to download a doctor health check form for your GP to complete when you visit, or call us on 13 29 39 and we ll post the form to you. doctorhealthcheck Consult your own personal health coach To determine your health status, set targeted goals and overcome your personal barriers, you may need the motivational support of a professional. We ll give you $45 towards a health coaching consultation with a recognised allied health professional such as a dietician or psychologist each calendar year. Download a health coaching form to be completed during your consultation, or call us on 13 29 39 and we ll post the form to you. healthcoach Breathe easier with no butts We all know that smoking is not good for you and the sooner you stop the better. To help you make a fresh start today, we ll give you up to $120 per calendar year to complete an approved quit smoking course. Lifetime limit $240 per person. quitsmoking Tip the scales in your favour Recent evidence shows a strong correlation between good health and healthy weight. We ll give you $100 to join an approved weight loss program and another $100 when you achieve your goal weight. Stay within 5kg of your goal weight for 12 months and we ll reward you with a further $150. Lifetime limit $550 per person. weightloss Step out and get moving without the stress Gyms with all that lycra and pounding music can be a turnoff. But Step into Life is a great way for people of any age with a health condition, to exercise in the open air. We ll pay you $30 for every 10 sessions you attend, up to a maximum of $150 a calendar year. Lifetime limit $300 per person. Download an approval form for your health professional to complete before you start, or call us on 13 29 39 and we ll post the form to you. For preventative health benefits eligibility criteria, see page 11. 4 stepintolife 5
Prevention better than cure Practical support through thick and thin There are some very specific things you can do to minimise health risks and we will give you financial incentives to help you take advantage of them. We also understand that there are times when you need extra support. Get your shots before you fly International travel is a fantastic thing for your body, mind and spirit. But visiting some countries can present serious health risks. We ll help you travel safely with a percentage benefit from 80% to 100% up to $150 per person or $300 per family per calendar year for travel vaccinations supplied and administered in Australia. Basic Extras benefit is $100 per person or $200 per family. travelvaccine Protection from cervical cancer The cervical cancer vaccine has been shown to have real benefits for women up to 45 years of age. At your next check-up, why not discuss your risk with your GP to see if it s right for you and if so, we ll give you $200 on completion of the course of 3 vaccines. Lifetime limit $200 per person. cervicalcancer Strong bones for life The federal government funds a screening program for Australians aged 70 and over. However, evidence demonstrates that this is maybe too late to pick up early onset osteoporosis, especially in women. At your next check-up why not discuss your risk of osteoporosis with your GP to see if it s right for you and if so, we ll give you a 70% benefit up to $70 on the cost of a DEXA screen. Benefit available on LifeChoice Plus and LifeChoice only. bonedensity Breast health If you are unsure about your risk of breast cancer or when you should begin screening mammograms, why not discuss your risk with your GP? If it s right for you we ll give you a 70% benefit up to $100 on the cost of a screening mammogram not covered by the free federally funded BreastScreen program. Benefit available on LifeChoice Plus and LifeChoice only. Make knowledge your greatest ally Wellplan Online offers personalised information to help you monitor and improve your state of health. Take a health risk assessment to identify and manage early warning signs, receive emails based on your health goals, check out the medical encyclopedia, use interactive work books and more. Subscribe online. wellplanonline Support before and after baby Our baby+me Program provides practical support when you need it most during pregnancy through to the baby s first birthday. It includes phone and email contact with a midwife to provide guidance and assistance, an informative website and comprehensive books relating to pregnancy and parenting. baby+me or call 13 29 39 Get home sooner from hospital Hospital is where you go when you re sick, need surgery or are having a baby and most people want to get home as soon as they can. With your doctor s approval our Member Support Program can co-ordinate services such as nursing care, home help and meals to get you back in familiar surroundings and on the road to independence sooner. membersupport or call 1300 734 224 6 mammogram 7
Live better with diabetes Many people are now living with significant medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. If you are one of them, the following benefits can help you minimise your risks and enjoy a better quality of life. Get the facts to keep you healthy If you have diabetes we ll support you with 80% of the cost of an annual Diabetes Australia membership. As part of your membership you ll receive information, updates on the latest research, disease management guidelines, discounts on diabetic equipment and more. diabetes or call 1300 136 588 Don t let your diabetes manage you Our Diabetes Awareness & Self Management program is telephone based and available to members with type 2 diabetes. The program is run by experienced health professionals with the aim of increasing your confidence and knowledge to effectively manage your disease. If you have type 2 diabetes and are interested in the program call 1300 224 334. diabetesprogram Strengthen your chances for a better quality of life Resistance training provides clear benefits for people with diabetes. Lift for Life is a strength training program for people with or at risk of getting type 2 diabetes. We ll pay you up to $50 for each of the three stages of the program you complete to a maximum of $150 per calendar year. Australian Unity is proud to be the first health fund to support this innovative program. Lifetime limit $300 per person. liftforlife Managing major medical conditions Regaining control after a cardiac event The coronary artery disease program is a telephone-based support and coaching program for members who have been admitted to hospital with a cardiac event. Support is provided by experienced health professionals. If you have coronary artery disease and are interested in the program call 1300 224 334. coronary Better support, no bones about it Don t let osteoporosis slow you down, with the help of our telephone support and coaching bone health program. Services provided by experienced health professionals for members living with, or at risk of osteoporosis include how to manage your care and prevent fractures. If you have osteoporosis or are concerned you may be at risk, call 1300 224 334 bonehealth For preventative health benefits eligibility criteria, see page 11. 8 9
10 Who can benefit and how? Are you eligible? We have tried to make as many of these general preventative health benefits available to as many members as possible, but there are some specific restrictions. For instance, baby+me is only available to members with comprehensive obstetrics cover and the coronary artery disease program is for eligible members who have experienced a cardiac event. Smart Start members only have access to weight loss, travel vaccinations, quit smoking, doctor health checks and Wellplan Online. Care n Repair members only have access to the Member Support Program and Wellplan Online. You ll find details of which benefits have restricted access on the page opposite. How to take advantage of your benefits To take advantage of each benefit, check the eligibility criteria and then simply visit the web links at the end of each benefit description on the previous pages of this booklet. Or for more detailed information, you can visit australianunity.com.au/memberbenefits or call 13 29 39. Preventative health benefits eligibility criteria 1. Step into Life, personal health coaching, cervical cancer vaccinations, Diabetes Australia membership, The Bone Health Program, The Coronary Artery Disease Program, Lift for Life and The Diabetes Program are available with all Hospital and Combination covers except Smart Start and Care n Repair. Valid receipts must be supplied where applicable when making a claim. 2. Travel Vaccinations are available with all Extras and Combination covers except Care n Repair, UltraCare, GoodCare, MaxiCare, SmartCare, ExtraCare, UltraCare Lite, Premier Combination Cover and Breakaway Combination cover. Valid receipts must be supplied when making a claim. Percentage benefit subject to level of cover. 3. baby+me is only available with Comprehensive Hospital (H4, K4 J4), LifeChoice Plus and LifeChoice covers. 4. Member Support Program is available with all Hospital and Combination covers. 5. Members with both Hospital and Extras covers may only claim weight loss, quit smoking and doctor health check benefits under Hospital cover. 6. Australian Unity approved weight loss programs are Weight Watchers (excludes at home kits/online), Sure Slim, Jenny Craig and UltraLite. Valid receipts must be supplied showing enrolment/periodic payments. Certificate of achievement in weight loss goal and 12 month maintenance certificate must be endorsed by the provider and supplied at the time of claiming. 7. Australian Unity approved quit smoking programs are Smokenders, Allen Carr s Easyway and courses run by QUIT Foundation. 8. A 12 month membership waiting period applies for baby+me, Diabetes Australia membership, Screening Mammogram, Bone Density Screening, Lift for Life, The Bone Health Program and The Diabetes Program. 9. Screening Mammogram and Bone Density Screening benefits are only available on LifeChoice Plus and LifeChoice covers. 10. To be eligible for the coronary artery disease program you must have held Hospital cover continuously for 12 months and have had a cardiovascular event in the past nine months. 11. Wellness benefits are not available with Overseas Visitors Cover or Healthy Travel.
Products and Services Health Cover Healthcare Centres Home and Contents Insurance Travel Insurance Car Insurance Retirement Incomes Personal Financial Services Superannuation Home Loans Managed Funds and Investments Retirement Living Life Insurance Australian Unity innovators in health care Australian Unity s Wellness Program has been awarded the Canstar Cannex Innovation Excellence Award 2009. It shows why Australian Unity is one of the best investments you can make for a better health return. 2009 13 29 39 healthcover@australianunity.com.au Australian Unity Health Limited ABN 13 078 722 568 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne VIC 3205 australianunity.com.au Australian Unity is a signatory to the Private Health Insurance Code of Conduct. For details go to www.privatehealth.com.au/codeofconduct Official Wellbeing Sponsor of the Australian Swimming Team This documentation should be read carefully and retained. Please refer to Australian Unity s terms and conditions for information on your product. Information is current as at the effective date and is subject to change. Australian Unity respects your wishes. If you received this by unsolicited direct mail from Australian Unity, and don t wish to receive similar product offerings in the future (including special offers and discounts), please let us know by calling 13 29 39. Effective 1 April 2011 H206 04/11