Share this
Sometimes health questions come up when it is not easy to see a doctor straight away. Whether it is a new symptom, a question about medication, or something you are unsure about, getting reliable advice early can help you decide what to do next.
That’s where Ask a GP can come in handy.
Available through UniMed’s Active Benefits, this service gives eligible members a simple way to ask a non-urgent health question online and receive a personalised response from a New Zealand registered GP with responses usually provided within one business day.
Why early medical advice matters
Many health concerns start with small questions. You may notice a symptom that does not feel quite right, wonder whether medication is suitable for you, or simply want reassurance about a health concern.
So getting advice early can help you make sense of these symptoms, understand what to do next, and feel more confident about your health. It can also help you:
-
Work out whether something may need a follow-up
-
Decide whether a pharmacy, GP visit or urgent care is the right next step
-
Get reassurance when something is worrying you.
For everyday health questions, that kind of support can make it easier to take action sooner, rather than waiting and wondering.
How the Ask a GP service works
Ask a GP is accessed through the UniMed Wellbeing portal powered by Teladoc Health and you will need to log in or register before you can use it.
Once registered, members can submit a non-urgent health question online and receive a personalised response from a New Zealand registered GP, usually within one business day.
If you have additional questions, you can submit another message through the portal. There is no limit to the number of questions you can ask.
Ask a GP is designed for non-urgent medical advice and does not replace emergency or urgent care services.
What you can use it for
Members often use the service for everyday general health questions, such as:
-
Understanding symptoms or minor illnesses
-
Questions about medications or treatments
-
Checking whether something may need a follow-up
-
Health questions about their children
Parents and guardians can also submit questions on behalf of their children who are listed on their policy.
If the GP believes further care is needed, they may recommend seeing your GP or another healthcare professional.
It’s a convenient way to get trusted advice without needing to book a standard GP appointment straight away.
Part of the wider wellbeing support available
Ask a GP is one of several Active Benefits available to eligible Members. These services are designed to support prevention and help members take proactive steps to protect their health.
Other Active Benefits include services such as nutrition consultations, fitness and recovery coaching, bowel screening kits, and skin checks through SkinVision.
Combined with the everyday healthcare support available through Primary Care Plans, including reimbursement for GP visits, tests, and specialist consultations, these benefits help members access the right support when they need it.
How can I get it?
If you’re a UniMed Health policy holder, this benefit is already available to you:
This benefit is only available to our members with the following Health Plans from UniMed: Primary Care, Primary Care Extra, #care4U and Hospital Select.
Not covered?
If you don’t currently hold one of these plans, you’ll need to purchase a Health Plan first to access this benefit. You can find out more about these plans and sign up here.
A Final Thought from Us
We believe that accessing the right advice at the right time is an important part of looking after your health.
Services like Ask a GP make it easier for our members to seek guidance early, understand their symptoms, and decide when further care may be needed.
Combined with regular health checks and healthy lifestyle habits, this support helps members take proactive steps to protect their health and wellbeing.
Sometimes better health starts with simply asking the right question.
Leave a comment