Our response
Supporting members through COVID-19
As a member owned health fund, we’re committed to the wellbeing of our members and keeping more money in their pockets. We’re planning to defer the 2023 premium increase by seven months from 1 April 2023 to 1 November 2023. This is in addition to:
a six-month deferral of the 2020 premium increase,
-
a lower than industry average premium increase in 2021,
-
return of claim savings by way of five premium-free days in 2021,
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a range of ancillary (extras) product initiatives,
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cover for COVID-19 related hospital admissions, and
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recognition of telehealth consultations as a feature of ancillary policies—now a permanent feature for Australian Unity health insurance members.
We’ll be notifying members about how the planned deferral will impact them.
Ways to use your Extras Cover
Our health partner Remedy Healthcare have delivered telehealth services for over 10 years, offering our members mental health support, health coaching and parenting advice, in the safety and comfort of their own homes. Recently, Remedy have developed telehealth physiotherapy and dietetics to meet the growing need for remotely delivered care.
These consultations can help you:
- learn more about your condition, including how to manage
it
- get to grips with your posture, stretches and
strengthening exercises
- set goals for becoming more physically active
- understand workplace ergonomics in your home
- check in on progress and be reassessed to help you stay on
track
- manage food intolerances and weight management
For more information and to make a booking, click here.
COVID-19 Health Advice Hotline
Our members can talk to expert health professionals employed by Remedy Healthcare who can provide information and advice about COVID-19. These clinically trained professionals can help identify support resources in your local area and provide advice on coping with social distancing, self-isolation and staying connected through COVID-19. Please call on 1300 665 780 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEST.
COVIDSafe app
The Australian Government has released the COVIDSafe app to speed up the process of contacting people exposed to COVID-19. Australian Unity is encouraging its employees, customers and the community to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by downloading the app. To find out more about the COVIDSafe app and how to download it, visit the Department of Health website.
Access to mental health support
As part of your Hospital cover you may have access to Mindstep®, a confidential, phone-based program, delivered by specially trained mental health coaches designed to support members in adjusting to life’s challenges. Please check your product Fact Sheet to see if you’re covered, then contact the Mindstep team on 1800 322 278 to confirm your eligibility or visit https://www.remedyhealthcare.com.au/welcome-to-mindstep to arrange a call at your preferred time.
Non-urgent elective surgery
To see the latest information in relation to restrictions put in place for non-urgent elective surgery in private and public hospital please refer to these websites:
- Federal Department of Health
- NSW
Health
- VIC Health and Human Services
- QLD Health
- SA Health
- WA Health
Our people
We're lucky that the majority of our staff can work from home and continue to deliver for our customers. Importantly, this helps us minimise the risk of infection both for our people and the community more broadly. We are also providing our staff with a range of support services and special leave arrangements if they are impacted by COVID-19.
Need to get in touch?
We know that many people are experiencing long wait times when trying to call us and understand this can be frustrating. For advice on the best way to contact us for specific services and questions please refer to our Contact Us resource page.
Keeping informed
We are closely monitoring advice from the Government and likewise, we advise that you also follow government health updates, as this situation is evolving, and advice is being regularly updated. We've added a COVID-19 section to our website so you can stay up-to-date on what we're doing in response to COVID-19, support options and other information. We'll be updating this page regularly so please continue to check in for the latest information.
This is new to all of us so as the situation changes we will continue to review how we can best help. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we support our customers, staff and our community to stay safe and healthy.
General info
COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is top of mind for many of us now. Please understand that Australian Unity is continuing to take this situation very seriously. We are actively monitoring the situation and taking measures to do what’s right for our customers, members and employees.
Novel coronavirus is part of a group of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tract and are associated with the common cold and pneumonia. According to the World Health Organisation, the official name of the virus is “COVID-19”.
As an organisation that supports our customers, members and employees in the community and their homes, it is important to be informed about this virus and to take active measures to minimise its impact.
We are closely monitoring advice from the Government and likewise, we advise that you also follow government health updates, as this situation is evolving, and advice is being regularly updated.
We spoke with Nancy Huang, Chief Medical Advisor for Australian Unity, who answered some frequently asked questions about the virus, its effects, and what can be done to avoid and limit exposure.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms are like those of cold or a flu affecting the respiratory tract. The most common symptoms are fever, breathing difficulties such as breathlessness, cough and a sore throat.
The virus spreads from droplets transmitted by an infected person coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, clothing, surfaces or objects.
How can people avoid contracting it or spreading infection?
The virus spreads from human-to-human via close contact, respiratory droplets or bodily fluids.
Contact with people while they are infectious directly through contact with droplet or bodily fluids, or indirectly from surfaces contaminated with these substances, can lead to infection.
Here are three important things you can do immediately to protect yourself and others from infection.
- Maintain really good personal hygiene practices. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly
for 20 seconds, especially whenever you cough, sneeze or blow your
nose, prepare food or eat, touch your face, or use the toilet. You
might want to do it while singing “Happy Birthday”
quickly twice –
that takes just over 20 seconds to do. Cough and sneeze into the
crook of your arm or tissue, and dispose of it in a bin, and wash
your hands. And avoid touching your face during the day.
- Social distancing. This means trying to stay
away from group gatherings and keeping your distance from people in
public of about 2 metres or 3 steps away. This means no hand
shaking or touching other people and avoid touching public surfaces
where others may have been.
- Where possible, work from home. If you have
symptoms or a temperature, work from home. Contact your manager, and
stay away from the office, other workers and customers until you are
symptom-free. See a doctor if you are concerned.
What should you do if you’re concerned you may have contracted COVID-19?
Please seek medical advice urgently, put on a face mask and avoid close contact with anyone.
Key information for you
- If you have experienced flu-like symptoms or had close contact
with someone with confirmed coronavirus, please seek medical advice
urgently, put on a face mask and avoid close contact with anyone for
14 days, or until you have been cleared by your doctor.
For more information, please use these government resources:
- Federal Department of Health
- NSW
Health
- VIC Health and Human Services
- QLD Health
- SA Health
- WA Health
Information provided in this article is not medical advice and you should consult with your healthcare practitioner. Australian Unity accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions, advice, representations or information contained in this publication. Readers should rely on their own advice and enquiries in making decisions affecting their own health, wellbeing or interest.