For many of our members, the starting point is simple: you join your union, you join HealthCarePlus, and you get access to practical health cover that helps with everyday costs and care.
But there may be more built into that membership than you realise.
At HealthCarePlus, better health outcomes for you and your whānau are at the core of what we do.
We want to help make healthcare more accessible and affordable, while also supporting members to take a more proactive approach to their health.
That is why our partnership with UniMed matters.
For members with an eligible UniMed Health Plan, the value can go beyond insurance in the traditional sense. It is not only about helping with costs when something goes wrong.
It is also about giving members access to practical services and support that can help them stay well, act early and look after their health more confidently.
Alongside everyday cover, your UniMed Health Plans also include a growing range of additional wellbeing benefits. UniMed calls them Active Benefits and Active Care.
Active Benefits help you stay well, with easy access to expert support, mental health services, fitness and nutrition guidance, and more.
Active Care is there to support you when you need treatment, including personalised guidance for serious conditions like cancer.
They are designed to support members in practical ways, including prevention, early advice, building resilience and support for everyday wellbeing:
Mental Wellbeing Support to help you thrive in daily life
Skin Checks through SkinVision to support early detection
Nutrition Consults with one-on-one virtual support from registered dietitians
Fitness & Recovery Support tailored to individual needs and goals
Ask a GP for simple, non-urgent health questions
Together, these benefits show how a Health Plan can offer more than reimbursement alone.
They can also help members take small, practical steps to stay on top of their health throughout the year.
This is important because good health support is not only about access to treatment.
Often, the best outcomes come from acting earlier by booking a check-in, asking a question, getting support before a small concern becomes a bigger one, or making use of tools that help you stay well in the first place.
"The app is so simple to use and the results were incredibly fast. It gives me such great peace of mind regarding my skin health."
- UniMed Member
Or making sure Members receive the most comprehensive care during and after a life-changing illness.
We want members to feel confident that they are in good hands, and that their Health Plan is connected to support that reflects real life, not just major health events, but the everyday decisions and small actions that can make a real difference over time.
"Empathetic and friendly psychologist! She knew and understood exactly what I was going through as a new mother. She was very kind, empathetic and positive and provided some tools to help me"
- UniMed Member
That is also why UniMed’s wider partner network is important too.
It's reassuring to know these services are being delivered through trusted New Zealand providers such as Osara Health, Teladoc Health, SkinVision, 3 Big Things and Clearhead.
"The expert was amazing; she really took the time to listen and help. This experience made me feel like a complete person. Your help was life changing, thank you!"
- UniMed Member
It helps strengthen the health support available to our members and reinforces our joined-up approach to health and wellbeing.
If you have mainly thought of your Health Plan in terms of claims or reimbursements, this may be a good time to take another look.
There may be more built into your plan than you realise, and those additional benefits could be worth exploring.
One of the real strengths of the HealthCarePlus and UniMed partnership is that it continues to grow in ways that are practical, relevant and member-focused.
UniMed's Health Plans offer more than financial cover in the background, it helps you take control of your health with support that helps you stay well, take action earlier and feel better supported in your overall health and wellbeing.