Edition 61
December 2008
Message from the Manager
Office Hours: Christmas 2008 & New Year
The office of the Fund will be open on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December and then closed over the Christmas/New Year period, reopening on Monday 5th January 2009.
While the office will be unattended, Ancillary claims via HICAPS will be available, and arrangements have been made for electronic payments of contributions to be processed. Members who have registered for Web Services will be able to enquire as normal. Travel Insurance will still be available via the Website.
Contribution rate increase — 1st April 2009
The Australian Health Service Alliance, our Buying Group for Hospital contracts and Access Gap Cover Doctor Agreements is doing a great job of limiting our cost increases, but inevitably these costs do increase, at a rate much greater than domestic CPI.
Revisions to the benefit levels in the Hospital tables are ongoing, as contracts are being renewed regularly.
Work is under way on the revision of benefit levels in the Ancillary table, ensuring that this table remains competitive.
Contribution Rates will be increasing as of 1st April 2009; at this stage by how much is unclear.
These increases are approved by the Minister for Health in the new year. Members will be advised of the new benefits and contribution rates as soon as practicable.
AGM 22nd October 2008
The meeting for 2008 was brief and straightforward, with the directors retiring by rotation re-elected, as no additional nominations had been received.
New Chairman
At the November board meeting, John Finch declined nomination as Chairman, remaining on the board. John was thanked for his efforts as Chairman of Phoenix for the previous five years.
Mr Ross Harland, a Management Accountant for OneSteel, was elected as Chairman of Phoenix Health Fund.
Mr Steve Cook, HR Manager – Commercial & IS for OneSteel, was elected as Deputy Chair.
Financial Markets Downturn
It is important to note that as a result of our conservative Investment Policy, the Fund does not have to write down the value of any of our investments. Our financial position remains strong.
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
The Directors and Staff would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
William Beaton
Chief Executive Officer
The Back Page
Phoenix Health Fund Website
- Member Registration – wide range of member services
- Online Private Hospital Search;
- Private Hospital updated lists;
- Travel Insurance – Online,with payment by Credit card;
- Access Gap Cover Doctors – via interactive lookup;
- Quarterly Payment Options, BPay and Credit Card;
- Alternative Therapy updated list of Providers;
- Item Benefits & Limits from the Ancillary Table;
- Claim forms and other of various Fund forms available
Medical Gap Explained
Will I have to pay for a gap for my choice of doctor and/or anaesthetist in hospital?
If you have any level of hospital cover with Phoenix Health Fund — Public Hospital, Top Hospital or YoungSavers, you can use Access Gap Cover. Your doctor agrees to set the fee for their service in advance, so that you will either have no out-of-pocket expenses, or at least know the exact cost prior to your treatment.
Individual doctors can decide whether or not to use Access Gap Cover, so this is something you need to ask each doctor who will treat you, when discussing treatment options. There is an interactive list of Access Gap Cover doctors who choose to be listed on our website.
Our staff can help you with more information about Access Gap Cover, so please contact us when considering a hospital procedure.
Medicare has set a schedule of fees that apply to every service performed by a doctor; it is called the Medicare Benefits Schedule, or MBS. Medicare pays 75 per cent of the schedule fee for every service and health funds are only able to legally pay the remaining 25 per cent, unless there are arrangements such as Access Gap Cover in place. Out-of-pocket (gap) payments arise because many doctors charge more than the schedule fee for services.
YoungSavers and Ex-Dependants
With Student Dependents finishing studies, and others leaving their parents’ memberships, now is the time to consider continued cover with our YoungSavers Cover. YoungSavers is especially developed for young singles.
YoungSavers has proven popular over the last few years, providing excellent value for money at a competitive price.
Phoenix YoungSavers provides a combination of Private & Public Hospital and Medical cover, as well as Ancillary cover, for the majority of services required by young, single people with minimum benefits for services unlikely to be needed.
See the Website for more information or call our friendly service team on 1800 028 817.
