Teachers Health Group announces Extras benefits improvements for members

Teachers Health Group announces Extras benefits improvements for members

March 2022: Teachers Health Group (incorporating Teachers Health, Nurses & Midwives Health and UniHealth) today announced a range of Extras benefits improvements to take effect from 1 April 2022, including the introduction of benefits for psychology services on an entry level packaged cover. 

The announcement is part of a raft of support initiatives provided by Teachers Health Group to their members throughout the pandemic, including:

• The deferral of the 2022 premium increase until 1 October 2022. Along with the deferral of the 2020 premium increase, these measures are expected to provide an estimated $26 million in savings for members.
• The roll over of unused 2021 Extras annual limits which came into effect on 1 January 2022
• The introduction of permanent telehealth benefits for a range of services.
• Cover for COVID-19 hospital admissions for members on all levels of Hospital cover and additional telehealth services for physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, chiropractic and osteopathic services and podiatry, received before 31 December 2022
• Financial hardship relief.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of mental health support, which is why we’ve improved psychology benefits on all our Extras covers,” said Brad Joyce, Teachers Health Group, CEO.   

“Recognising the importance of preventative measures to support longterm mental health, we’ve also incorporated a new psychology benefit to our StarterPak cover which has traditionally been a popular cover choice for those aged under 35 years.”

“As a not-for-profit, we’re committed to listening and responding to the changing health requirements of our members and our Extras benefits improvements are a direct response to their feedback. We’ve improved benefits on the services our members have told us they need the most - including podiatry, permanent telehealth benefits for a range of services and expanding our optical provider network.”

Extras benefits improvements from 1 April 2022:

Psychology

• Top Extras – increase initial consultation from $72 to $100
• Essential Extras – increase overall limit from $250 to $300
• StarterPak – introducing Psychology to this product with an overall limit of $300.

Podiatry

• Top Extras – increase initial consultation from $40 to $45
• Top Extras – Orthotics: introduction of benefits for pre-made devices that are moulded or heat moulded.
  
  

Extras benefits announced 1 January 2022:
Permanent telehealth benefits

• Due to the popularity of telehealth, Teachers Health Group has introduced permanent telehealth benefits for a range of services.
• Speech therapy
• Dietetics
• Lactation Consultant
• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (telehealth for psychologists was introduced in 2015).

Expanded Optical Preferred Provider Network

To provide greater value to members, even those without Extras cover, Teachers Health Group expanded their Optical Preferred Provider Network. Members can now access a range of offers and discounts from:

• Specsavers
• OPSM
• Laubman & Pank
• com.

Additional support provided to members

Teachers Health Group’s New Family Program remains open to more members with Hospital cover to help families who may struggle to access standard ante and postnatal services during COVID-19. This program is brought to members through Teachers Healthcare Services.

A phone-based Mental Wellness Program is available to eligible members with Hospital cover via Teachers Healthcare Services.

--Ends--

Media Contact
e: media@teachershealth.com.au

About Teachers Health
Teachers Health is health insurance for teachers, the education community and their families. Created by teachers for teachers over 65 years ago, Teachers Health has grown to become Australia’s largest industry-based health fund and one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit health insurers.
As a not-for-profit, Teachers Health is committed to putting members first and delivering the best possible value (not payouts for shareholders).

About Nurses & Midwives Health
Nurses & Midwives Health is health insurance for nurses, midwives, carers and their families. As a not-for-profit, Nurses & Midwives Health focuses on what matters most – supporting the health and wellbeing of members, not delivering payouts to shareholders.

About UniHealth
UniHealth is health insurance for the higher education community and their families. As a not-for-profit, UniHealth is focused on putting members first and supporting their health and wellbeing, rather than payouts to shareholders.