Supporting our members through COVID-19
We’re postponing 2022 premium increases
As members continue to experience ongoing financial and economic pressures due to COVID-19, we're postponing premium increases for our Australian Residents Health Insurance members until 1 September 2022. We believe this is the right thing to do to support our members as the pandemic continues.
We'll notify eligible members of the premium increase postponement in coming months.
The postponement of premium increases for five months until 1 September 2022 will take our COVID-19 member and community support package to a total of more than $90 million. In addition, we recently announced the extension of our COVID-19 support package until 31 December 2022. This includes expanded cover for COVID-19 related treatment and psychology Extras benefits for eligible members.
Telehealth is here to stay
The telehealth services that we introduced during the pandemic to help members access a range of Extras services are here to stay.
Extended COVID-19 cover
To help you continue to look after your physical and mental health, we’re extending cover for coronavirus-related hospital treatment and psychology Extras benefits for eligible members until 31 December 2022.
Keep connected
We have a range of expert-led resources to help you look after your physical and mental wellbeing, including tips to boost your immunity, improve your fitness and maintain productivity while working from home. We also have expert advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and debunk some of the vaccine's biggest myths.
Telehealth is here to stay
The telehealth services that we introduced during the pandemic to help members access a range of Extras services are here to stay.
Extended COVID-19 cover
To help you continue to look after your physical and mental health, we’re extending cover for coronavirus-related hospital treatment and psychology Extras benefits for eligible members until 31 December 2022.
Keep connected
We have a range of expert-led resources to help you look after your physical and mental wellbeing, including tips to boost your immunity, improve your fitness and maintain productivity while working from home. We also have expert advice on the COVID-19 vaccine and debunk some of the vaccine's biggest myths.
Giving back to our members
As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to evolve, so has the support we’ve provided to our members and the community. We’re pleased to announce we’re giving back claims savings of $15 million through premium relief to our Australian resident health insurance members in the form of a one-off COVID credit.
What is the COVID credit?
Last financial year we were required by our industry regulator to set aside funds to pay for any catch up in elective surgeries after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The expected claims experience for financial year 2021 didn’t happen and we’ve been able to return claims savings to you in the form of a one-off credit. This credit will be automatically applied to your next premium payment from 6 September 2021.
How much is the credit and when will it be applied?
The credit has been calculated based on your level of cover as at 30 June 2021. This amount will be applied to your policy as a date paid to adjustment by 30 September 2021. You’ll be able to see this in your payment history, which can be viewed in your member account. We’ll contact you in the coming weeks to confirm the amount you’ll be receiving.
Am I eligible for the COVID Credit?
To be eligible for the COVID credit, you need to have held a policy as at 30 June 2021 and that policy needs to be active when the credit is applied. This includes members who suspended their cover as a result of financial hardship or overseas travel.
How else are we supporting our members and the community?
So far, we’ve invested approximately $60 million in our COVID-19 member and community support package. Our previous package initiatives, which included expanded coverage for COVID-19 related treatment and an additional psychology benefit on Extras products, has been extended to 31 December 2022.
Our commitment to members during the pandemic
Image: nib’s member support package impact.
Our commitment to members during the pandemic
To help our members impacted by COVID-19, we introduced a more than $45 million support package in 2020 that included:
A six-month postponement of the 2020 premium increase
Flexibility for members choosing to suspend their policy
A one-off premium credit for members on JobKeeper or JobSeeker
A frontline healthcare worker rebate to support their health and wellbeing
These elements of the support package have now ended, however some elements of the COVID-19 package are being extended, including telehealth services, coronavirus-related hospital treatment and psychology Extras benefits.
We’ll continue to monitor the ongoing situation and are committed to supporting our members where we can.
Community support
To support the health and wellbeing of communities throughout Australia and New Zealand during COVID-19, we've donated $1.5 million to charitable and clinical initiatives together with nib foundation. Our funding will see the delivery of both immediate support and ongoing assistance in the recovery from the pandemic.
In Australia, we’ve partnered with Lifeline Australia, NSW Rural Doctors Network, batyr and Hunter Medical Research Institute.
In New Zealand, we’re supporting Lifeline Aotearoa and Clearhead.
Further Information
Further Information
For more on COVID-19, you can visit:
Or contact the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
If you or a loved one needs support please call Lifeline (24 hours)
on 13 11 14.