Edition 69
December 2010
Message from the Manager
Office Hours: PHOENIX HEALTH FUND Christmas 2010 & New Year
The office of the Fund will be open on Christmas Eve, Friday 24th December, closed over the Christmas/New Year period, reopening on Tuesday 4th January 2011.
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.
Annual General Meeting 20th October 2010
The meeting for 2010 was again brief and straightforward, with the directors retiring by rotation re-elected, as no additional nominations had been received. The recommendation for director remuneration was accepted by the meeting.
At the subsequent meeting of the board, positions of Chairman and Deputy Chairman were continued, with Mr Steve Cook re-elected as Chairman, and Mr David Byrnes as Deputy Chairman. Only minor changes to committee makeup were agreed.
CONTRIBUTION RATE INCREASE & BENEFIT REVIEW to apply from 1st April 2011
Contribution Rates will be increasing as of 1st April 2011 — at this stage by how much is to be determined.
Our application is for a lower increase than was necessary last year. These increases are approved by the Minister for Health in the New Year — you will be advised of the new benefits and contribution rates as soon as practicable.
Hospital contracts rate increases are ongoing, with our Strategic Partner, the Australian Health Service Alliance serving us well in limiting these increases, as well as the Access Gap Cover scheme restraining Doctor Agreement increases. Costs of claims are increasing at a rate much greater than domestic CPI.
There will be some minor revisions to the item benefits in the Ancillary area, as a result of a study of comparative benefits.
William Beaton
Chief Executive Officer
The Back Page
WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The majority of Australians have House and Car insurance and have a fairly good idea of why they have it. However only 45% of Australians are purchasing Health Insurance to cover themselves for the most important thing that they own – their own bodies! Why is this so?
1. Firstly, the public hospital system through Medicare is paid by all Australian citizens through taxes, and this may seem like a sufficient amount of cover.
2. Secondly, a lot of people don’t really understand what Private Health Insurance is and what the real benefits are.
We often hear people say “I exercise every day and I am fit and healthy so why would I need Private Health Insurance?”
Why would you need health insurance if you are fit and healthy?
To explain, use the analogy of insuring a house with home and contents insurance.
I might clean the leaves out of my gutters once a month, I may remove trees that are too close or are overhanging my roof, and I may even build my house with fire resistant materials but does this mean I shouldn’t purchase house insurance to protect my house for incidents of fire?
To put it simply, it would be crazy not to insure it! Just because I have preventative measures in place doesn’t mean that my house will not burn down in an accident. The same thing applies to Private Health Insurance.
Regular exercise is a great way to keep fit and reduce the risk of potential health risks (and we recommend it!), but it will not prevent all health related problems. I may be covered for some items in a public hospital but can I afford to sit on a waiting list while my condition gets worse?
Here at Phoenix Health Fund, we often ask the simple question “Is your health more important than your car or your house?”
If your answer is yes, then take a look at what Private Health Insurance can offer you. It may just be the most important insurance decision you’ll ever make.
CALLING OUR OFFICE
If you are in need to call up our office for membership services or enquiries, please make sure you have your membership number ready. By doing this, our telephone staff are able to identify your membership account quickly and can answer your questions without delay.
Suggestions?
Can you see ways in which we could be providing a better service? Send us your thoughts and recommendations to: suggestions@phoenixhealthfund.com.au
