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Unlocking Value: My Experience with my Primary Care Extra Plan
Before I start, here's full disclosure upfront, my name is Alan Sharpe and I'm part of the HealthCarePlus team and I've had a Primary Care Extra policy for the last 3 years. To be honest in the first year I didn't make any claims even though I probably went to the doctors a couple of times but that was mainly due to the fact that before I joined HealthCarePlus I generally didn't go to the dentist, physios, therapists or even get my eye sight tested because I always felt it was too expensive and I wasn't into the routine of claiming.
I guess I was no different to most Kiwi's as studies show that a substantial percentage of New Zealanders, particularly Māori and younger people, choose not to seek professional advice or treatment due to the cost of healthcare. Obviously being a HealthCarePlus staff member I soon realised the importance of claiming back on my healthcare costs and it has to be said that UniMed do turn around their claim reimbursements in good time.
As it's coming up to premium increase time, I decided to take a deep dive into my coverage to assess whether I was truly getting my money’s worth. What I found was not only reassuring but also quite eye-opening.
A Look at the Numbers
Over the past two years, I have been paying fortnightly premiums of $17.11. This amounted to a total of $890 in premiums. However, during that same period, I received reimbursements exceeding $2500. When I subtracted the cost of my premiums, I was financially better off by an impressive $1600.
That’s a significant return on investment, especially when you consider that these reimbursements covered essential healthcare services that I might have otherwise delayed or avoided due to cost concerns.
More Than Just Savings: Proactive Healthcare
While the financial benefits are great, the real value of healthcare plans goes beyond just dollars and cents. The plan enabled me to access proactive healthcare when I needed it most. From GP visits and prescriptions to other essential health and wellbeing services, I was able to take charge of my health without worrying about excessive out-of-pocket expenses.
This aligns perfectly with our mission: helping members and their whānau take control of their health and wellbeing without financial stress. (You can learn more about this approach here.)
For me another very important part of our HealthCare Plans bundle are the three free therapist session you can claim each year. This has absolutely been a huge benefit to me and without that offer I would probably not had the support I've needed over the last few years.
Read more about this amazing offer here
Final Thoughts
You are probably reading this and going of course you are going to recommend it as you work for HealthCarePlus but I genuinely believe that it's worthwhile investigating whether or not a primary healthcare plan is worth it for you. It not only supports your long term health but also provides tangible financial benefits. Here’s why in my case:- Affordable Premiums: $17.11 per fortnight is a small price to pay for such comprehensive benefits.
- Significant Reimbursements: Receiving over $2500 in two years speaks volumes about the plan’s value.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that I can seek medical care without hesitation is invaluable.
- Encourages Proactive Health Management: By making healthcare more accessible, it motivates me to prioritise my immediate health.
You can explore more about these plans here.
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