living healthy magazine february 2012
DESCRIPTION
Queensland Country Health Fund Living Healthy Magazine February 2012 editionTRANSCRIPT
Queensland Country Health Fund Member Newslettered.7
livinghealthyFEBRUARY 2012
beter heal cover shouldn’t hurt
BETTER VALUE
DentalandOpticalServices
THE HEALTH FUND IS EXPANDING
NorthandSouth!
STRIVE FOR HEALTH
HomeSupportServices
NEW HEAD
Offi ce
2 Queensland Country Health Fund | February 2012
General Manager FROM THE
HEALTH FUND
HICAPS COMPETITION
During the month of October 2011, we ran a competition in conjunction
with HICAPS, for a $500 gift card. Open to all our Members with
Extras cover, you automatically went into the draw if you used your
Membership card in October. The lucky winners of our competition
were Paul from Annandale, Deanne from Budgee, and Greg in Dolphin
Heads. Congratulations to our winners, and make sure you look
out for our next competition!
WIN
NERS
Economic reports being published at the moment in the media are
consistent in their prediction of worsening economic conditions
in Australia in 2012, albeit with some possible relief coming from
decreasing interest rates at least for mortgage holders. This is often
a time when people will review their expenses to look for savings
which includes health insurance, and we have certainly been having
lots of conversations with members of other health funds as they
consider transferring to Queensland Country to save some money.
Our membership growth as a percentage, over the past 6 months
has been more than twice the growth achieved in the health
insurance industry, as more people become aware of the great value
offered by Queensland Country. It’s also a time when peace of mind
is more important than ever as the Government looks for ways to
reduce expenditure. Unfortunately, that sometimes comes at the
expense of the public hospital system, resulting in further delays for
elective treatments.
As well as maintaining our focus
on providing great value health
insurance, we have been looking
at other ways of delivering improve
health outcomes.
A new initiative that we have introduced in partnership with Home
Support Services is a telephonic chronic disease management
program. This program is designed to help support those Members
with chronic disease, which includes heart disease, diabetes and
mental illness to help manage their illness and improve their quality
of life. Health professionals make regular calls to Members in the
program to provide skills, education and techniques to help manage
the illness. Further information is included in the magazine and there
is no additional cost to Members. If you believe you could benefi t
from the program I would encourage you to contact us to discuss it.
The Federal Government continues to discuss the means testing
of the 30% rebate for health insurance and seek support for the
proposed legislation with independent Ministers. It is expected that
the Private Health Insurance bill will be entered into parliament for
debate this year. The progress of this legislation is being watched
I’m sure by many Australians as, if successful will result in reduced
rebates for higher income earners. It is also likely to result in some
people dropping out of health insurance which will increase pressure
on the public hospital system.
An area of health insurance that we have been working on over
the last six months is developing arrangements with dentists and
optometrists to provide lower cost services to our Members to
reduce out of pocket expenses. We already have agreements in
place with a number of optical providers (details can be found on
our website) and have recently progressed with an agreement with
Teachers Union Health in Brisbane to provide dental and optical
services to our Members. We will continue to look for opportunities to
reduce dental and other ancillary services costs in our other locations
and provide Members with these details as they become available.
Thanks for your ongoing support of the Fund and I hope everyone
has a prosperous 2012.
Aaron Newman
General Manager
Queensland Country Health Fund
Ph. 4750 3300
PHARMACY CLAIMS
Each year the Government sets the Pharmaceutical Benefi ts Scheme for pharmacy items. This year the amount
is $35.40. This means that if you have Extras cover with us and you’re purchasing scripted pharmaceuticals* that
exceed this amount, we may be able to pay a benefi t towards it. Pharmacy items must be scripted, dispensed
from a pharmacy, or Doctors rooms, accompanied by an offi cial pharmacy receipt and over the PBS amount. We
pay benefi ts from $35.40. This means you will always pay the fi rst $35.40. For example, if you have a script for
Aqueous Nasal Spray priced at $44.50, we will pay $8.80. If you have Premium Extras you can claim up to $50
above the $35.40, and on Essential Extras you can claim up to $30 above the $35.40. Sub-limits do apply.
For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or 1800 813 415.
*Contraceptives are not claimable unless they meet specifi c requirements, please contact us for further details.
MEMBER BENEFIT STATEMENTS
We have received a number of calls from our Members wanting a copy of their claims from the last fi nancial year.
Please be advised that we can supply these statements but they will only show the claims PAID in the last fi nancial
year, not all claims submitted. Hence, if you have waited to submit claims until this fi nancial year, they will not show
as the claims paid in the last fi nancial year.
Queensland Country Health Fund will also send any Members who have had medical and hospital treatment in the
last month a statement of claims paid on your behalf. These are not a bill, but merely a record of benefi ts paid for
your recent hospital stay, and/or medical procedure.
Also due to privacy laws, we cannot release statements for Members who are over 16 years of age, even your
dependent children, unless they request the information themselves.
CONTRIBUTION (PREMIUM) NOTICES
If you have an email address recorded with us and have chosen to receive an invoice for your premium, it may
have been emailed to you. In an attempt to streamline our billing process, and leave less of a carbon footprint, we
have been emailing these notices over the last few months. You may have received an email from us with your
billing notice! If you have an email address on fi le that may not be correct, or you would like to continue
receiving a paper notice, then please let us know on 1800 813 415 or via email [email protected].
You can also update your details online via our web services.
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 3
Did You Know?4
D
P
Queensland Country has recently established an agreement with
Teachers Union Health (TUH) in Brisbane to enable our Members to
access their health care centre. The health care centre offers a long
established and professional dental practice and optical centre, along
with physiotherapy, remedial massage, acupuncture and podiatry, and
these services will now be available to our Members from the 1st
March this year. The services are very well priced and are likely to
provide reduced out of pocket expenses for Members.
The health care centre is situated at 438 St Paul’s Terrace Fortitude
Valley, Brisbane. These services are available to all Members.
Queensland Country is committed to looking for ways to provide
more cost effective dental, optical and other ancillary services
and we will provide updates as these types of arrangements
are established.
BETTER VALUE
Dental and Optical Services
4 Queensland Country Health Fund | February 2012
Meet Lauren
Queensland Country Health Fund would like to introduce you to
Lauren Hull, our new Business Development Manager based in
Cairns. Lauren will be developing our corporate health strategy,
working with employers in Cairns and other regional centres across
the state to offer corporate packages for their staff. If you are
interested in learning more about our Corporate Packages, please
contact Lauren on 0417 622 856 or via email on [email protected]
THE HEALTH FUND IS EXPANDING
North and South!
Meet Fiona
As part of our ongoing commitment to bring
our services to regional areas, we have recently
established a service centre in Gladstone.
Fiona is our Health Fund representative, and is
ready to assist you with any of your health fund
questions or queries. The branch is located in the
Gladstone Shopping Centre, 44-55 Dawson Road.
Pop in and say hi to Fiona and the rest of the
Queensland Country Team!
TENS MACHINE VS CIRCULATION BOOSTER
If you have Private Hospital cover with us we pay benefi ts towards a
range of mechanical aids and appliances to assist with recovery and
to help maintain your health. We provide an excellent benefi t of up
to 85% of the cost of the approved mechanical appliance or artifi cial
aid with a membership year limit of $2000 per person covered. This
is paid on items that are medically necessary.
TENS machines are payable under this benefi t, however, we do not
provide benefi ts towards a circulation booster.
TENS Machines are for the relief and treatment of acute or chronic
pain, and have been endorsed by Medical professionals across a
wide range of fi elds. Unfortunately, there is insuffi cient evidence to
prove that a circulation booster provides the same level of therapy
or pain relief as a TENS machine, hence why we will only provide
benefi ts towards the TENS machine.
There is an extensive list of aids and appliances that we do cover,
therefore it is always best to contact us if you have something
specifi c in mind.
As there are conditions involved in paying on these type of benefi ts,
we recommend you contact us on 1800 813 415 if you’re unsure of
what you’re entitled to, or if you can claim on a particular item.
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 5
The month or more of Christmas over-indulgence has now passed
and many people are looking to a detox program to spike their
energy levels, clear their digestive system, detox their liver, lose a few
kilos and espouse their guilt! The downside (and there is always a
downside!) of every detox program is the restrictive diet or numerous
pills or shakes to be taken, headaches, the need for a close lavatory
and generally feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus for the fi rst few
days. So what if there was a way to by-pass the fi rst few
days of feeling rubbish and skip to the light, bright, energetic,
slimmer, glowing you?
Detox diets are only successful for the time that you follow
them which often means a lot of pain for only a short-term gain!
Increasing the anti-oxidants in your diet can be an easy and
sustainable solution to feeling great, most of the time!
So what are these antioxidants I hear you say? The effects
of modern day life such as stress, poor sleep, pollution, drinking
too much alcohol, staying in the sun too long, smoking or even
healthy behaviours such as exercise can cause oxidative or free
radical damage. Antioxidants stabilize these free radicals to
prevent disease, damage or ill-health occurring within the body
from the oxidative free radicals. Oxidative damage has been linked
to diseases such as arthritis, aging, degeneration of the eye lens,
damage to the nerve cells in the brain, some cancers, heart disease
and liver disease.
Antioxidants are found in nutrition
powerhouse foods, some of which
may surprise you!
What about antioxidant supplements, they should be good
then shouldn’t they? The research on increasing your antioxidant
intake with a high potent supplement is concerning at best. Some
studies showed an increase in cancer rates and some even showed
an increase in death rates! There are however studies showing
decreases in ageing factors, some cancers and levels of oxidative
damage within the body. All the research on consuming more
antioxidants through food however, is very consistent – no increased
harm but many, many benefi ts! If you consider the high antioxidant
foods listed above these are generally very healthy foods, which
should be eaten daily, except chocolate and wine!
So should I start that detox or eat more antioxidants?
Defi nitely eat more antioxidants! Not only is it tastier and includes
many everyday foods negating the need for a special diet but it’s
more sustainable for better long term health. By including more
antioxidant rich foods you can expect to feel more vibrant, energetic,
lose weight if this is required and feel good knowing you are
combating those free radicals of daily life!
Here’s an example antioxidant rich meal plan to
get you started:
BF Untoasted muesli with fresh or dried fruit &
a few nuts with low fat milk
MT Low fat yoghurt with berries and a sprinkle of seeds
L Wholegrain sandwich with tuna or salmon and salad
AT Veggie sticks & a few wholegrain crackers with hommous
D Lean beef stir-fry with plenty of onion, garlic, broccoli, red
capsicum, Chinese cabbage or greens etc
S A few squares of dark chocolate or a small glass of wine!
Many antioxidant rich foods are also rich in other nutrients to
promote good health. Most of the foods listed are low in GI to give
you long-lasting energy and fullness, are high in fi bre for good bowel
health, many are low in calories that can assist with weight loss and
some include good fats such as omega 3 fatty acids. So harness
your antioxidant power today!
WHY DETOX WHEN
you can Antiox? Lauren Nugent
Eat Smart
Nutrition Consultant
6 Queensland Country Health Fund | February 2012
We want to make our fund as accessible as possible, and what better way
than online! If you’re on Facebook, you can now fi nd us and “like” us. Find our
page by searching Queensland Country Health Fund. We’ll be posting all sorts
of things relating to health, health insurance news, recipes. Let us know by
posting on our page what you would like to see!
We’re also in the process of upgrading our website, which will go live over the
coming months. This will incorporate a more user friendly online service for all
of our Members. The website is a great place to look if you need forms, would
like to check on affi liated hospitals, book our units in Brisbane or Townsville,
and just review your cover. If you’re already registered for web services, there
is no need to re-register.
We look forward to interacting with all our Members online! www.facebook.com/qldcountryhealth
Health
beter heal cover shouldn’t hurt
STRIVE FOR HEALTH
Home Support Services At Queensland Country Health Fund, we care about more than just
health insurance. We care about you, your health and your family’s
health. That’s why we have implemented a program that will offer
you a range of services that will assist you to manage your health.
Offered to all Member’s with hospital cover at no extra cost, Strive for
Health is a range of health support services that can help improve
your lifestyle to avoid chronic disease and provide support and
assistance to help manage and overcome chronic disease. Through
the unique web portal, and the team of allied health professionals,
registered nurses, domestics and personal carers at Home Support
Services, we can help your transition from hospital to home, manage
your chronic disease more successfully, and provide support when
you need it.
With “Strive for Health” and Home Support Services you will be able
to access expert advice, care, support and information. There is also
a 24 hour contact number available for emergency questions.
These services include:
A Wellness and Prevention Web Portal
Telephonic Disease Management with a range of
health professionals
Home Based Care, Telephonic and Home Monitoring
for Chronic Disease
Acute Home Care Program – following a hospital stay
Queensland Country Health Fund has worked together with Home
Support Services to develop a range of services to help Members
recover from a hospital stay, manage their chronic disease, and
provide support to get their health and wellbeing back on track.
If you think you may benefi t from a program that can provide support
and assistance to better live with and manage chronic disease which
includes heart disease, diabetes and mental illness please contact us
on [email protected] or call 1800 813 415 and we can discuss
your suitability for the program.
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 7
MCILLWRAITH UNITS
Brisbane As a result of devastating fl oods in much of Southern Queensland
in early 2011, our Member accommodation at McIllwraith on the
Park, suffered extensive damage. All 3 ground fl oor units were
signifi cantly damaged, with water levels coming within 30cm of
the ceiling.
After a lengthy ‘dry out’ period, work commenced to get the Units
habitable for our Member’s again. Many trades people were
overwhelmed as South East Queensland suffered over $35 billion in
damage as a result of the fl oods. Progress was slow going.
Fortunately our upper fl oor units were unaffected and we were able
to supply some relief to Member’s travelling to Brisbane for medical
treatment. We would like to thank all our Members for their patience,
all 6 units are now operational at McIllwraith on the Park. If you
would like to book the units, please drop us a line on
[email protected] or call 1800 813 415.
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 7
As Australia’s number one activewear label for women, here at Lorna Jane we believe
we have a responsibility to help empower all women and assist them in achieving the life
they deserve. We do this by encouraging all women to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Our clothes are a tool that we use to motivate and inspire women to be the best version
of themselves through living actively. Our Founder and Creative Director, Lorna Jane
Clarkson, lives her life by a three pillar philosophy of Move, Nourish, and Believe – she
promises to move her body everyday, nourish from the inside out, and believe anything is
possible. This philosophy has been harnessed within the Lorna Jane business and it is these
three principles which we offer to all women to assist them in their lives. Our customers
understand that Lorna Jane is not simply an activewear clothing brand, it is a way of life.
Why not make 2012 all about you and kick of the new year with a plan to live an active
lifestyle. Living active is not determined by age, shape or fi tness level. It is simply about the
will to do everything possible to live your best, most beautiful life. When you move, you want
to feel it, when you nourish you want to enjoy it & when you believe you want to mean it.
Now is the time to choose to prioritise your health & fi tness. Take charge of your active life
and be inspired to live your best year yet.
NEW HEAD
Offi ce Queensland Country is moving… across the street! Our Townsville Head
Offi ce, Call Centre and Administration Centre are located on Ross River Road,
with the Credit Union’s Head Offi ce backing onto Patrick Street, and we’re
growing rapidly. To keep up with our expanding support staff, we are relocating
to a new prime position on the corner of Ross River Road and Nathan Street
in Aitkenvale Townsville. Below is the artist’s impression of what our new
headquarters will look like. We will keep you posted with our progress.
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Dependant children can remain covered under your family
membership up to the age of 21 years.
If however you have dependants who are:
aged between 21 and 25, and•
they are not living in a genuine domestic relationship, •
and are;
studying full time at a school, college or university, or•
working or training as an apprentice and earn no more than •
$20,000 per annum,
They are referred to as Student/Apprentice Dependants.
These eligible persons can remain covered under your family policy
at no extra cost whilst the above criteria apply to them.
To initially notify us of eligibility for Student/Apprentice dependant
status, we would require the completion of a Registration of a
Student/Apprentice Dependant Child form.
A further registration will be required prior to commencement of
each academic /training year on March 1st ,should the dependant
still meet the criteria for student/apprentice status at that time.
A Student/Apprentice Dependant Child registration form for this
purpose is sent to all of the applicable Memberships in January of
each year.
It is the responsibility of the Member to complete the registration
form to re-register their dependant prior to March 1st each year
whilst the Student/Apprentice Dependant status applies.
If this documentation is not received by the Fund, dependants will
cease to be covered under your standard family cover, and would
be required to take out their own Queensland Country Health
Fund cover.
Alternatively, under our extended family cover- Family Plus*, any
dependant children aged between 21 and 25 years can remain on
your family policy (as long as they are not married or in a de facto
relationship) for a small additional premium cost.
* Family Plus cover option is only available on packaged Private
Hospital and Extras cover. It is not available to family Memberships
with any hospital only product, Smart Start or Public hospital cover.
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 9
PRIORITISE
YOUR
HEALTH
AND FITNESS
2012 is all about YOU
Choose private health insurance with Queensland Country
before 29 February 2012 to collect your
$150
LORNA JANE
GIFT CARD>> <<
Call 1800 813 415 or visit your local QueenslandCountry Credit Union Branch.Offer valid 1 February 2012 to 29 February 2012. Terms and conditions apply. Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd ABN 18 085 048 237
KIDS STUDYING, OR UNDERTAKING AN APPRENTICESHIP?
They can be covered too!
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 9
10 Queensland Country Health Fund | February 2012
Dr Desmond Ong
Townsville Orthodontic
Specialists
A beautiful smile and healthy teeth can contribute greatly to your
happiness, self-confi dence and quality of life. Orthodontic treatment
creates beautiful smiles through bringing the teeth, lips and jaws into
proper alignment and harmony with each other. Correctly positioned
teeth are easier to clean, function more effi ciently and are more likely
to last you a lifetime.
Orthodontists are highly trained dental specialists whose expertise
is tooth alignment for children, teenagers and adults. An orthodontist
must complete a 3 year full-time specialist program beyond their
dental school training to become a registered specialist. Fundamental
components of this full-time specialist program include the design
and completion of a research project and rigorous theoretical and
clinical examinations. Research projects require careful collection,
investigation and interpretation of data and statistical results. This
specialist training allows orthodontists to clearly distinguish between
clinical effectiveness and marketing hype, which is extremely
important in this era of mass media and information overload.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic
assessment for patients around the age of 8 years. Such an
assessment is a good opportunity to assess the development of
the dentition and to screen for orthodontic anomalies. Appropriate
and timely interception of various orthodontic anomalies can result
in favourable outcomes in carefully selected cases. However, it is
important for any treatment modality to be justifi ed from the cost-
benefi t perspective.
The majority of orthodontic patients are children and adolescents,
however, orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age if
the teeth and gums are healthy. Many adults are now undergoing
orthodontic treatment to improve their dental alignment
and appearance.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER
Is the practitioner providing your orthodontic treatment a general
dentist or a registered specialist orthodontist? The registration and
qualifi cations of your practitioner can be easily checked on the
Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website
http://www.ahpra.gov.au/
Obtaining an all-inclusive fi nancial quote in writing and a
comprehensive diagnostic report is best to avoid confusion and
unexpected costs. Please ask whether the fee includes all of the
following: consultation, pre-treatment reviews and orthodontic
record-taking, orthodontic appliances and post-treatment reviews.
Beware of hidden or undisclosed fees. Patients should be made fully
aware of the cost of service from the outset.
Ask for all relevant item numbers for the proposed treatment.
This will allow you to check with your private health fund
regarding rebates.
As per the Dental Board of Australia guidelines, adequate informed
consent must be obtained prior to commencing any treatment.
Patients must be informed with respect to the following: the nature
and purpose of the proposed treatment, any expected benefi ts and
limitations, any relevant associated risks, the likely consequences of
not undertaking treatment and an outline of all reasonable treatment
options with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
BENEFITS IN FOCUS - ORTHODONTICS Orthodontics is the area of dentistry focusing on the treatment of
irregularities in the teeth (esp. of alignment and occlusion) and jaws,
including the use of braces. At Queensland Country Health Fund, we
provide a fantastic benefi t towards these services. Benefi ts are paid
out of your yearly dental limit.
ABOUT
Orthodontics
Orthodontics, Braces etc
12 months
$450 per membership
year (accumulating to
$900 per membership
year after 2 years of
membership.) Lifetime
limit of $1500 per person
applies. Benefi ts are paid
at 50% of cost of cost up
to available limit .
$700 per membership
year (accumulating to
$1400 per membership
year after 2 years of
membership.) Lifetime
limit of $3000 per person
applies. Benefi ts are paid
at 85% of cost up to
available limit.
$400 per membership
year. Lifetime limit
of $800 per person.
Benefi ts are paid at
70% of cost up to
available limit.
Waiting Period Essential Extras Premium Extras Smart Start
February 2012 | Queensland Country Health Fund 11
12 Queensland Country Health Fund | February 2012
LET US HELP YOU
ON TIME EVERY TIME!
Queensland Country Credit Union Limited. ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL 244533. * Set monthly deposits are required for bill paying accounts.
Visit your local Queensland Country Credit Union branch or qccu.com.au for more information
With a Queensland Country BillPaying Account: