Edition 70
March 2011
Message from the Manager
Contribution Rates from the 1st April 2011
The Fund will be increasing the Contribution Rates for all products as detailed in the personal letter accompanying this edition of Healthlinks.
The Fund continues to work with our industry partners to contain the increases in our costs, with the increase overall somewhat less than last year. The increase has been determined with the best advice available, and approved by the Federal Minister for Health as being the minimum required to ensure continued ability to pay benefits as needed, and to ensure the ongoing viability of the Fund.
Benefits paid continue to increase year on year, and at a rate much greater than domestic CPI.
The change in product mix, closing the Public Hospital table and introducing YoungSavers for Families has been well received, with a steady growth in YoungSavers generally.
Updated Item Benefits from 1st April 2011
We have increased a small number of Item Benefits in the Ancillary area. Benefits for the more expensive Optometrical lenses have increased slightly, with a modest adjustment to the overall Optometrical Limit. Chiropractic benefits have also been increased slightly.
A more extensive review of Ancillary benefits will occur for 2012. While little has changed this year, thus minimizing the required increase in Contributions, benchmarking against identified ‘competitor’ funds shows the benefits offered by Phoenix still rate well.
We will not be re-issuing the Health Fund Brochure, the Contribution Rates leaflet for 1st April 2011 is enclosed. The accompanying letter takes the Rebates and Lifetime Health Cover loadings (if applicable) into account. Note that if you have arranged Periodical Payments of your Contributions to Phoenix Health Fund, please advise your financial institution of the new rates as soon as possible.
William Beaton
Chief Executive Officer
The Back Page
Member Survey
The Fund has recently undertaken a survey of a group of members, selected at random, to assist us in meeting your needs. We will be evaluating the responses in the near future, and implementing improved procedures and processes as highlighted by your responses to the survey.
Phoenix Health Fund has been conducting this member survey for the last three years, and will continue to do so in order to keep in touch with members’ thoughts and opinions.
If you missed out on the Member survey and would like to have your say, send us your thoughts and recommendations to: suggestions@phoenixhealthfund.com.au
Phoenix Health Fund would like to extend many thanks to those who have responded to the survey call. The five lucky winners of the $100 EFTPOS gift vouchers will be announced in the next few weeks.
Have you shared your email address with us?
In an attempt to provide easier communication to you as a member, Phoenix Health Fund are asking members to consider email as an option in receiving important information from the fund. There are plenty of great advantages of using email. Not only do our members who currently use email receive instant information from us, but they are helping us reduce our footprint on the environment.
If you would like to provide us with your email, send us an email at enquiries@phoenixhealthfund.com.au and leave your name and membership number along with your email address. If you haven’t heard from us in 24 hours please call our office.
Staff Changes
Paul Dyer, our Finance Manager for over 25 years is to retire mid March. He is one of the longest standing employees at Phoenix Health Fund, having previously worked at Stewarts & Lloyds and Tubemakers until switching over to Phoenix Health Fund in 1986.
Ross Harland, who previously worked at Onesteel, will take over Paul’s post as the new Finance Manager of Phoenix Health Fund.
All the best for an enjoyable retirement, Paul!
