Your WELL BEING

Member Newsletter 2015
Your
WELL
BEING
TUH’s CHOICE
Recommended
hospital cover
PAGE 2
Healthier
you in 2016
PAGE 7
‘Big Thank You’
campaign
PAGE 11
2
How TUH
measures up
Here’s a snapshot of the monthly premium for
top hospital cover with an excess offered by
some well-known private health funds. There are
great savings to be made by being with TUH.
TUH –
Your number
one CHOICE
When it comes to the best cover for you
and your family, there’s really only one
choice. Which is perhaps why CHOICE has
just recommended TUH for our Total Care
Hospital cover.
CHOICE, Australia’s leading consumer
advocacy group, analysed thousands of
hospital cover policies from health funds
throughout the country comparing them for
both features and value for money.
On the basis of this our Top Hospital
cover is now CHOICE Recommended in
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
South Australia and Tasmania.
While we’re proud to be CHOICE
Recommended, knowing we are providing
our members one of the best hospital covers
in Australia is our greatest accomplishment.
After all, looking after you is what we do.
Interested in finding out more about our
CHOICE Recommended Total Care Hospital
cover? We’d love to have a chat. Simply call
1300 360 701 or visit tuh.com.au
YOUR WELLBEING 201 5
NIB
$219.47
$373.09
$449.90
Medibank
$177.25
$280.35
$354.50
BUPA
$173.00
$288.90
$346.00
$147.98
$221.97
$295.96
$41.93
$92.14
$87.51
*These general comparisons are based on the full Queensland monthly premium
before any Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance or Lifetime Health
Cover loading is calculated. Rates are effective from 01/04/15, and are subject to
change. The average monthly savings are calculated as the difference between
the TUH premium and the average of the three examples given (source: www.
privatehealth.gov.au). Queensland Teachers’ Union Health Fund Limited. ABN 38
085 150 376.
Feeling
social?
Why not like us on Facebook
(TUHhealthfund) for tips on how to
make the most of your cover and
optimise your health and wellness. Or
take a look on YouTube (TUHQLD) to
see our latest videos, including ‘PHI
101 – The Australian Health System’.
3
HOW DO YOU COMPARE?
Comparing apples to apples is easy. But when it comes to
comparing health fund polices we know it’s a little (or a lot)
more challenging. So how can you ensure you make the
best decision for you and your family?
CHOICE Recommended Total Hospital cover. The excess
is only payable once per member per year, and there is no
excess for dependants on any of our covers.
Choosing a cover that includes the things you use the
most is important, but you also need to balance the cost
of your premiums. On the other hand, you don’t want to
be caught out paying for health cover only to find out it
doesn’t cover you for what you need when it comes to
make a claim.
Once you have decided on the excess you’re prepared
to pay and services that are important to you, you can
compare across TUH products or compare with other
health funds. A good source of independent information
is PrivateHealth.gov.au. You can look up your health
insurance product and compare similar ones, for value and
services offered.
At TUH we pride ourselves on only offering quality covers
for your peace of mind across a range of price levels. So
before you start on your comparison journey here’s a few
Lifetime Health Cover loading and Australian
things we think you should consider.
Budget
If cost is a major consideration, you might look at a
‘cheaper’ product, but remember to check for any
excluded or restricted services. For example TUH has a
range of options with exclusions or restrictions, however
the important benefits such as cardiac and cardiac related
services are covered. Like any insurance cover, health
insurance should be there to provide a safety net. You
need to determine what events you want to be covered
for, and what you are happy to take a risk on.
Government Rebate
When comparing, make sure you consider any Lifetime
Health Cover loading you may be subject to (which will
increase your premium) and any Australian Government
Rebate you are entitled to which will reduce your
premium. You may also be entitled to discounts for certain
payment methods. All our covers give you 2.5% discount
when you pay by direct debit from your bank account.
Extras
Consider your options if a situation arose that was not
included in your policy. Could you afford to self-fund an
admission into a private hospital? Would you be prepared
to wait to be admitted into a public hospital? Decide for
yourself which services you are prepared to compromise
When comparing extras cover, make sure you check the
annual limits (the amount you can claim up to in one
year) and any sub-limits (the amount you can claim for
any one service or group of services). Check whether the
limits are per person or per family and if benefits paid are
a percentage of the cost or a set amount. Also, check if
you need to see a particular provider to get the maximum
benefit. TUH has a wide range of extras covers to suit you
on and what conditions are not negotiable.
whether you are after many or only a few services.
Excess
Need some help?
An alternative to switching to a less comprehensive
cover may be to increase your excess. This can reduce
your premium and is only payable if you’re admitted
into hospital. TUH offers a range of excess levels on our
We know it isn’t easy navigating through the maze of
policy options available. That’s why we are always happy to
answers any questions you may have. Just give us a call on
1300 360 701.
MEMBERS OWN
HEALTH FUNDS
For more than 40 years we have believed Australians
•
should have a choice when it comes to investing in
their most important asset - their health.
With Members Own Health Funds you’re a
member, not a number.
•
Members Own Health Funds are run to benefit
In February, TUH was proud to join with Members
members - not shareholders or overseas
Own Health Funds and inform Australians of the
owners. Put simply we reinvest our profits to
benefits of being with a fund where profits go back
deliver better services.
to the members (rather than paid out to
shareholders).
Members Own Health Funds are focused on giving
more back and doing more for their members.
4
Member
Services
Online
Get easy access to your membership
details plus a range of services available at
your fingertips, including:
ANNUAL
STATEMENT
•
Claiming for extras
•
Updating your contact details
•
Adding persons to your membership
•
Checking your extras benefits to find
out what you have used and how
much you have left
•
Determining the amount you need to
pay to cover you to a selected date
with the premium calculator
We’re busy preparing
annual statements
which will be coming
to an email box near
you in January. Now is a
good time to jump onto
Member Services Online
and check your email
details are correct and
sign up to receive email
communication.
•
Viewing and printing your Private
Health Insurance (tax) Statement for
current and previous years
You can also access your membership details
on your smart phone. If you aren’t already
registered for Member Services Online simply
visit tuh.com.au and sign up today. Its just like
internet banking, only healthier.
Claiming
mobile
app
Claim on extras services
in less than a minute!
Upload your receipts or
other documents and
submit them via our smart
phone app.
Download the TUH
claiming app today from
either iTunes for iPhone
users or GooglePlay for
Android users.
New website
coming your way
We are currently designing a fresh, userfriendly website with a contemporary look
and streamlined user experience regardless
of whether you are visiting us on your
mobile, tablet or computer.
Now it’s even easier
to have a chat
To make it easier for you to
contact us our Customer
Contact Centre is now open
8am-7pm Monday-Thursday
and 8am-5pm Friday (AEST).
YOUR WELLBEING 201 5
Claims for Health Management Programs
From 1 January we will be using a new form for you to claim for health
management programs.
This form requires the doctor to describe your condition and
recommended treatment allowing for a wider range of programs to be
considered.
We remind you that legislation states that a health insurance benefit
cannot be paid for “treatment which primarily take the form of
sport, recreation or entertainment”. Benefits will be paid if the health
management program is intended to reduce complications of a
diagnosed chronic disease.
5
Why do I sometimes have
out-of-pocket costs
when going into hospital?
Going to hospital can be overwhelming and you may not know what
to expect. It’s important to be well informed to make the best decision
about your health care.
For private inpatients Medicare covers 75% of the Medicare Benefit
Schedule (MBS) fee set by the Government for doctors’ charges and
health funds cover the remaining 25%.
Unfortunately the Government cannot force doctors to comply, some
doctors choose to charge above the scheduled fee, which results in an
out-of-pocket cost that you have to pay. For example, if the MBS fee
is $1,000 Medicare will cover $750 (75%) and we will cover $250 (25%).
However your doctor may choose to charge you $1,500 meaning you’d
have to pay $500 (out-of-pocket not covered).
You always have the right to ask your doctor if you can be treated under
the Access Gap Cover scheme, giving you lower out-of-pocket costs or
even eliminating them completely. If the doctor declines you also have
the right to choose another doctor.
Before you receive treatment as a private patient in hospital ask your
doctor:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Would you treat me under TUH’s Access Gap Cover arrangements?
Will I incur any out-of-pocket expenses for my treatment and if so,
can you give me a written estimate of how much?
Will any assisting doctors also use Access Gap Cover?
Will you send the bill to TUH directly, so that they can claim my
Medicare benefit on my behalf and send the payment back to you?
It is your right to ask for this information in writing before you agree and
give your informed financial consent to a proposed treatment.
Remember, we are aways happy to assist you with any questions you
may have about your hospitalisation. Simply call us on 1300 360 701 or
visit tuh.com.au.
How does your premium work?
Private health insurance is “community rated” so, unlike other insurances, everyone pays the same base amount for their product. This applies
regardless of your health status so, even if you smoke or have other health issues, everyone is treated equally. However the cost of your premium
is affected by government initiatives. The Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance which is based on your income and age can
decrease the cost of your insurance. Refer to the table below for rebate levels and amounts. Lifetime Health Cover loading, determined by the
age at which you took out your hospital cover, increases the cost of your premium for the first ten years of your membership. Let’s look at some
examples:
Jenny (27) is single, and earns less than $90,000
per year. She wants top hospital cover and agrees
to pay a $300 excess to reduce the cost of
her cover:
John (35) is also single and earns less than $90,000. He is new to health
insurance so pays an extra 10% of the base premium for Lifetime Health
Cover Loading (2% for each year he is over 30, starting from 1 July after
his 31st birthday). Note that Lifetime Health Cover loading does not
attract the rebate. So, for the same cover as Jenny, John’s premiums
are:
TUH Total Care Hospital ($300
excess) base rate
$164.25 per
month
TUH Total Care Hospital
($300 excess) base rate
$164.25 per month
Less Australian Government
Rebate of 27.82% of the base rate
$45.69
Less Australian Government
Rebate of 27.82% of the base rate
$45.69
Jenny pays
$118.56 per
month
Plus Lifetime Health Cover
loading: 10% of $164.25
$16.42
John pays
$134.98 per month
You can reduce your premium by 2.5% if you pay by direct debit from your bank account.
Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance
Base Tier
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Single income
≤$90,000
$90,001-105,000
$105,001-140,000
≥$140,001
Family income
≤$180,000
$180,001-210,000
$210,001-280,000
≥$280,001
< age 65
27.820%
18.547%
9.273%
0%
Age 65-69
32.457%
23.184%
13.910%
0%
Age 70+
37.094%
27.820%
18.547%
0%
Single parents and couples (including de facto couples) are subject to family tiers. For families with children, the thresholds are increased
by $1,500 for each child after the first. These income threshholds apply to 30 June 2018. Rebate levels are adjusted on each 1 April.
6
6
Welcome to our
Health Hub
At TUH we are continually striving to provide
Don’t forget that your annual benefits are reset
better care and services. Recently, our allied
at the end of each calendar year. To check your
health facility was refurbished to provide a clean,
remaining limits simply go to Member Services
modern and more accessible environment. To
Online. If you have any benefits remaining, why
acknowledge that we have more services than
not visit our Health Hub and treat yourself to
meet the eye, we’ve renamed our centre in
a new pair of glasses or a massage. Book an
Fortitude Valley the TUH Health Hub. Next time
appointment by calling 1300 360 701 or email
you’re looking for dental, optical, physiotherapy,
[email protected].
massage, acupuncture, Pilates, exercise
physiology, audiology, dietetics or podiatry, look
no further. The Health Hub has it all!
Early opening hours
Due to popular demand, our dental clinic is now open from 7.30am Monday, Wednesday and
Friday and Pilates classes are available from 7.30am Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
We are open between Christmas and New Year!
Thursday 24 December, Christmas Eve
8.30am to 3.00pm
Friday 25 December, Christmas Day
Closed (public holiday)
Monday 28 December Closed (public holiday)
Tuesday 29 December 8.30am to 5.30pm
Wednesday 30 December 8.30am to 5.30pm
Thursday 31 December, New Year’s Eve
8.30am to 3.00pm
Friday 1 January 2016 Just in time for your
Closed (public holiday)
From 4 January 2016 Return to normal hours
Member parking is available in Surman Lane (off
Baxter Street) and Misterton Street.
Christmas shopping,
the Health Hub has a
wide range of sunglasses, electric toothbrushes, hats and even
massage and Pilates
vouchers.
YOUR WELLBEING 201 5
7
Looking good
with Eyecare
GRAB ONE OF OUR HOT DEALS BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT –
HURRY OFFER ENDS 31 DECEMBER 2015!
•
Get free polarization on your second pair of prescription glasses*
•
Get free delivery when you order two or more boxes of contact lenses*
Plus TUH members get a 30% discount off marked prices of frames,
lenses and sunglasses all year round and you can always get two
pairs of selected single vision glasses from $190 (no gap).
*For full terms and conditions go to tuh.com.au/legal/tc-optical-offers
5
tips to prevent
sports injuries:
1. Proper preparation: Give the body enough time to adapt to the rigours of the event
or sport as strength and cardiovascular changes in the body require consistent training
over time.
2. Specific training: Seek professional advice regarding the best training regime for your
goals and fitness level. Sports specific training will increase your chances of improving
your results as well as decreasing your chances of injury.
3. Manage previous injuries: Previous injuries in a particular area of the body will often
increase your chances of re-injury in that area or damaging other areas.
4. Take your time: Consider duration, frequency, intensity and type of training to gradually
improve your body’s ability to tolerate training loads.
5. Rest & cross-training: Incorporate these into your training regime. Always listen to your
body and monitor your body’s reaction to any training.
Healthy you
Want to make 2016 your
healthiest year yet? Get off to a
good start with a health check
at the Health Hub. The check
takes around 20 minutes and
includes blood pressure, blood
glucose, cholesterol, BMI
and waist circumference.
your health and wellbeing by
reducing your risk factors.
You’ll receive a record of your
results, some helpful health
information and suggested steps
you can take to help improve
Appointments are available
Thursday and Friday, so call
us on 1300 360 701 or email
[email protected] to get
started on a healthier new year.
Depending on your level of cover and remaining Health & Wellness benefit you may have no out-of-pocket expenses.
Department of Education and Training principals’ conference
Year
in
REVIEW:
Brisbane Catholic Education
Excellence in Teaching
Awards.
community
JAN
Family
Fun Day
FEB
DET Principals’
Conference
MAR
Labour Day
Celebrations
We celebrated our partnership
TUH was a major sponsor in
Once again, we participated
with Life Education
the Department of Education
in the Queensland Labour
Queensland, a not for profit
and Training school principals’
Day Celebrations, with our
organisation that provides
conference which provided
customary cheer squad for the
drug and health education to
an excellent opportunity
Sunday parade.
Australian schools, with a family
to support the education
fun event at our Health Care
Centre.
Family Fun Day
YOUR WELLBEING 201 5
community.
Queensland College of Teachers Beginning to Teach Awards
Labour Day Celebrations
Mother’s Day Classic
Stakeholder Breakfast
MAY
Mother’s
Day
Classic
Brisbane
Catholic
Education
Excellence
in Teaching
Awards.
JUN
We were proud to be
TUH sponsored Brisbane
silver sponsors of the
Catholic Education’s
Mother’s Day Classic
Excellence in Teaching
Fun Run which raises
Awards and had the
awareness and funds
opportunity to present
for research into breast
cancer. We also hosted a
three awards.
Stakeholder
Breakfast
AUG
TUH held its fifth
stakeholder breakfast
with guest speaker,
The Honourable Dame
Quentin Bryce AD CVO.
The event was a great
Biggest Morning Tea event
success with approximately
to raise funds for the
150 attendees including
Cancer Council.
principals, teachers and
union representatives.
OCT
Queensland College of Teachers
Beginning to Teach Awards
We were proud to support the Queensland College of
Teachers Teaching Awards, held on 30 October.
The minister Kate Jones and our CEO presented to the
winner of the awards.
10
TUH BOARD UPDATE
At the Annual General Meeting in November, TUH
said farewell to retiring Chairman of the Board, Darcy
Edwards. Darcy joined TUH as an independent
Director in 2004 and became Chairman of the
Board in 2009. His vast experience in finance and
risk has helped TUH to thrive while maintaining and
improving benefits and services for our members.
Fellow director and chair of the Audit and Risk
Management Committee, Terri Hamilton, has also
decided to step down from the Board. Terri’s skills
and experience have been invaluable to TUH over
the past 11 years.
We wish Darcy and Terri all the best for the future
and thank them most sincerely for their contribution
to TUH.
Congratulations to former Deputy Chairman,
John Battams, who was appointed as the new
independent Chairman of the Board. John has
extensive commercial experience and is a director
of several major financial services organisations. He
is a respected union leader, currently serving as the
President of the Queensland Council of Unions.
Welcome and congratulations to two new incoming
directors, Michael Cottier and Peta Irvine. Michael
Cottier is a senior manager and company director
who holds a Bachelor of Business – Accountancy, a
Master of Taxation, and is a chartered accountant.
Peta Irvine is a chief executive officer and nonexecutive director with experience in not-for-profit,
public and private sector roles.
Michael and Peta are very familiar with the culture
and expectations of member-focused organisations
and their breadth and depth of knowledge will
complement the existing skills on TUH’s Board.
Connie snaps up
healthy incentive
Brisbane’s Connie Richards was the lucky winner of
a trip to New Zealand, simply for joining TUH.
In late 2014 we held a competition to
encourage members to refer a friend or
family member to TUH. All new members,
plus those who referred them, went into
the draw to win a $5000 holiday to New
Zealand.
Connie has recently returned from her
“ski and snowboard trip of a lifetime”
with her best friend and sent us a few
snaps of her trip.
“I still can’t believe I won that trip.
Definitely in the memory bank for
the rest of my life! So thank you,
thank you very much TUH.”
YOUR WELLBEING 201 5
11
THE POWER OF
THANK YOU
It’s easy to forget the impact that teachers have in shaping the lives of young
people in their care. Because we believe our teachers and carers deserve
some appreciation, we recently invited students to join our ‘Big Thank You’
to tell their teacher how they have inspired them.
Messages of thanks were received from hundreds of students, from schools
all over Queensland. One hundred lucky students won a $50 voucher just in
time for the holidays and, in 2016, we’ll select five schools to receive a $1000
resources bursary. To find out more visit bigthankyou.com.au.
Sweet potato and
bean salad
Serves 3
1 cup sweet potato, diced
¼ cup mango chutney
2 tbs lime juice
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbs garlic, crushed
½ cup spanish onion, sliced
2 cups lettuce mix, chopped
1 cup spinach, chopped
400g green beans, cooked
Method
Boil sweet potato 5 mins until cooked, cool.
Combine chutney and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add
sweet potato, ¼ cup of onion and beans. Stir well to coat.
Place spinach and lettuce mix on each of 3 plates. Top with 1/3
cup of bean mixture. Sprinkle evenly with ¼ cup of onion.
Tip:
Sweet potato contains no fat, is a source of beta carotene (orange
variety), vitamin C, E, potassium, dietary fibre, and it has a low GI.
Are you getting benefit payments by cheque?
With recent changes to Australia Post delivery times, it may take longer to receive your claim payment if you have
chosen to have benefits paid by cheque.
If you add your banking details to your membership we can deposit any claims directly into your account, which
means that funds are usually available within two days of the claim being processed. You can do this via Members
Services Online or by phoning us on 1300 360 701.
438 St Pauls Terrace,
Fortitude Valley
QLD 4006
1300 360 701
(07) 3259 5821
www.tuh.com.au
[email protected]