It’s Easy.

In this issue:

Children to benefit with

extension to gap free preventative dental

4 5 6You’ve spoken,

we’ve listened

Jessica Norton

and her eat safe initiative

In this issue:

EasyHealthmarch 2015

2015 means more in

dental benefits

Stay Healthy, Get Well and Live Better.

St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 20152

from the ChairmanThere is always something to worry about in our lives. How reassuring it is to live in Tasmania and other states of Australia, with all the benefits that living in them brings, with St.LukesHealth supporting us in meeting our health care needs.

Being a member of St.LukesHealth provides you with the benefits of a company with a long history, significant scale, a trusted brand, strong philosophy and promise to our members to meet your health needs now and into the future. We are in a strong financial position from which to leverage to be an important and enduring player in the health care sector where demand on Medicare for health care services will increase exponentially as the population ages. Did you know that the number of people aged 65 or more is estimated to increase from 14% of the population to 23% by 2050? This demand will increasingly affect those relying on the public system to access services and put upward pressure on the public systems ability to deliver the necessary health care outcomes. (The demand will increasingly affect those not covered by private health insurance).

The Board has recently embarked on a three year strategic plan to introduce new innovations into the operations of the fund to help combat the rising costs of health

care and ensure a healthy membership while providing cost effective services for our members when you need us most.

St.LukesHealth has a solid record of growth, with our growth for 2014 being twice the national average. Our growth is underpinned by product innovation, competitive pricing, excellent customer service and strong branding – and most importantly, trustworthiness.

Independent customer satisfaction surveys conducted during 2014 revealed St.LukesHealth to be well above the industry average, being in the top three funds for customer satisfaction in 2014. For one month we were the number one market leader in customer satisfaction ranking at close to 90%. Our major competitors Medibank Private and BUPA were well below us, averaging at 78%.

Our aim for 2015 is to continue to provide and improve upon the value and service we provide our members, and assist to increase the awareness of our members, as consumers of care, by providing them with knowledge and information to assist in making value based decisions about their care. With health care inflation running at 8% per annum we want to help our members, for the benefit of all, to make the best judgments about their health care today, as to improve on their health tomorrow and into the future.

And we want our health care expenditure to meet our member’s expectations.

As Chris Williams alludes to in his article, members will see evidence of the direction in which we are heading during the course of 2015.

At St.LukesHealth we will never lose sight of our catchcry that “nothing else matters” more than your health.

Regards Chris Dockray

from the CEO

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to our exciting new-look newsletter for 2015.

My first year as CEO has been very rewarding and our growth in 2014 has seen us at the leading edge of the industry. In July 2014 we were ranked number one in the nation for our customer satisfaction.

This growth has been in part due to the

steps we have taken towards building on a new strategic vision for the organisation.

This vision is best summed up by our promise to our members that ‘we at St.LukesHealth promise every man, women and child a relationship they can count on to help them stay healthy, get well and live better’.

In support of this vision we understand the need to preserve the long term viability of the health benefits fund, while continuing to provide maximum value and enhanced care to all our members. We have been able to keep our premium increase very close to the industry average. These changes in premiums are further explained on page 3.

We continue to build on our strong customer focus and improve on our preventative health services. In 2015, we will again deliver additional dental benefits, which you can read more about on page 4.

Our new mobile application is helping to make life easier for our members and feedback has been extremely positive. One member told us: ‘I would like to say how much I like your app. I can take a photo of my receipt and lodge a claim from my smart

phone. I work in a rural town so I don’t get into the Launceston office very often and I really appreciate this convenience’.

This year we have joined forces with other not-for-profit funds around Australia to take a stand against the bigger for-profit funds and raise awareness that there is choice beyond the funds run to benefit shareholders and overseas owners. This group is known as the Members Own Health Fund.

Collectively, we will inform Australians of the benefits of being with a fund that is for the people, not for profit and that there is a better choice when it comes to health insurance. At St.LukesHealth we’re focussed on giving more back in benefits, delivering better service and achieving higher member satisfaction and loyalty.

As part of our ongoing customer engagement, we will be announcing further initiatives throughout the year. I encourage members to look us up on Facebook, click the ‘like’ button and keep up–to-date with the developments in your health fund, St.LukesHealth, throughout the year.

Chris Williams Chief Executive Officer

3St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 2015

It’s Easy.

St.LukesHealth giving more back to membersLast year, St.LukesHealth paid out another record year in member benefits with hospital benefits increasing by 14% on the previous year and general treatment benefits (dental, optical, physiotherapy etc) increasing by 20% on the previous year. You may think that this is not good news, however we think it is. It shows how St.LukesHealth is giving more back to our members each year.

St.LukesHealth is a not-for-profit health fund, so we only need to think about our members when reviewing our premiums. We don’t need to consider shareholders or overseas owners. This is where we believe we stand out from the big players in the health insurance market. This is also why we have joined 14 other like-minded health funds to promote Members Own Health Funds. You can read more about this initiative in the article below.

You may ask, why do we need to increase premiums each year? In short premiums need to increase to cover increasing benefit outlays (claim costs). The main cost drivers that increase benefit outlays, and ultimately premiums, are increases in the cost of services and increases in the utilisation of services.

A significant part of any premium increase is due to increases in the cost of services. These include increases in the benefits negotiated in hospital agreements, increases in the benefits we pay to doctors for in-hospital medical services, increases in the costs of prostheses (for example for hip and knee replacements), and increases in the benefits we pay towards general treatment services (for example dental).

Increases in the utilisation of services also has a significant impact on premiums. Members are accessing their health cover more and using the private hospital system for more procedures to avoid public hospital

waiting lists. The ageing of the population also has an impact on the utilisation of services and, as medical treatment advances, more procedures become available and more services are performed.

What this all means is that our private health care industry continues to grow and meet

the growing demands of the Australian population. It also means that in Australia, private health insurance provides you with the financial security that helps you access arguably the best health care options in the world.

St.LukesHealth Joins New AllianceSt.LukesHealth is pleased to announce that it has joined forces with 14 other not-for-profit and mutual health funds to form Members Own Health Funds.

Members Own Health Funds has been created to ensure that not-for-profit and mutual health funds, like St.LukesHealth, can effectively communicate the advantages they provide over health funds driven by shareholder profits and overseas owners.

The Members Own Health Funds brand carries the promise that participating funds:

Members Own Health Funds deliver on average better services, higher member satisfaction and loyalty, and receive fewer member complaints than the for-profit funds.

We want to let the community know that when it comes to your health insurance ‘there is a choice’ and many good reasons why people should consider joining your local Members Own Health Fund, St.LukesHealth to look after them.

• Are run to benefit members – not shareholders or overseas owners

• On average give more (of members’ premiums) back to members

• On average, offer better, more personalised service to their members

The clear message is that with a Members Own Health fund you are treated as a member, not a number or profit centre.

St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 20154

Fissure SealantsPits and fissures are the small grooves and spots normally seen on the biting surface of posterior teeth (the large teeth at the back of the mouth) but can exist on other teeth as well.

Children to benefit with extension to gap free preventative dental

The St.LukesHealth Gap Free Preventative Dental initiative continues to place St.LukesHealth as the front runner in providing dental benefits to members. As you can see from the below chart, our members have enjoyed a 32% increase in dental benefits in the last year, largely due to members embracing the gap free preventative dental initiative.

On 1 April 2015 this initiative will get even better for children. From this date, members on eligible products will now enjoy gap free cover* for fissure sealing. Placement of sealants in children and adolescents who have been clinically assessed as having a high risk of tooth decay, is a safe and effective way in preventing dental decay in permanent teeth. You can read more about the benefits of this service in the article provided by the Australian Dental Association below.

We encourage you to ensure your child has at least one dental check up each year and if clinically necessary, to consider fissure sealing treatment. It may save your children from needing fillings and extractions and save you from having to pay for further expensive dental treatment in the future.

Under gap free preventative dental* we pay 100% of your dentist’s regular fee** up to a maximum benefit per eligible service on selected products#. This means that for most dentists you will have no gap or out of pocket to pay for an examination, x-ray or scale and clean. Gap Free Preventative Dental applies to both adults and children at your choice of dentist. If your dentist charges above the maximum benefit a gap may apply.

St.LukesHealth is helping its members look after their teeth by giving them a choice of dentist with no out of pocket expenses on preventative services. We give you a reason to smile! * If your dentist charges above the maximum benefit, or in excess of the regular fee* he or she charges all patients, a gap or out of pocket may apply. Benefit applies to both adults and children who have served their two month waiting period. Other preventative services such as topical fluoride application and provision of mouthguards not included. Annual limits apply.

** Regular fee refers to the average fee your dentist charges to all patients of his or her practice for each eligible service.# Offered on the following products: Packaged Platinum Plus, Packaged platinum, Packaged Gold, Packaged Silver and Super Extras.

They are a normal part of the tooth caused by the way the tooth has grown. Pits and fissures are a common site for dental decay (caries) to start due to their difficulty to clean. Some pits and fissures are quite small and deep – so small that the bristles of a toothbrush can’t enter them and keep them clean.

One option for reducing the risk of decay is to place a fissure sealant. Fissure sealants are either a plastic resin coating or a glass ionomer cement that fill the pits and fissures providing a protective layer. Fissure sealants are a proven effective preventive treatment for people at risk of dental decay. Teeth are often at risk of decay soon after they

come into the mouth, so childhood and teenage years are often the best time to provide fissure sealants, however they can be appropriate at any age. Placing a fissure sealant is a pain free procedure. Fissure sealants can and do wear down over time however can be replaced or repaired if necessary.

Speaking to your dentist about whether fissure sealants are appropriate for you, your child or teenager is the best way to find out more about these preventive treatments. Attending your dentist for regular examination provides the best opportunity to prevent dental disease.

5St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 2015

It’s Easy.

OPSM optical partner providerWe are excited to be able to share with St.LukesHealth members that OPSM is now an approved optical partner.

OPSM can help you get the most out of your St.LukesHealth extras optical cover.

Present your membership card to our friendly staff and they will help you claim your St.LukesHealth Optical Benefits*. St.LukesHealth members also receive a 20% discount** off a huge range of quality frames and lenses as well as discounts off sunglasses and contact lenses.

The team at OPSM loves eyes and we want our customers to see clearly as possible, but want you looking great too.

You can choose from a huge range of designer frames from the world’s leading brands such as Bvlgari, Burberry, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Oakley, Oroton, Police, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Tiffany & Co, Versace and Vogue.

Our OPSM optometrists utilise the latest optical technology to provide customers with the best possible vision. OPSM has exclusive access to the world’s leading technology like Optos Daytona Ultra Wide scanners which allow the OPSM optometrists to see 4 times wider than a standard scan.

This enables the team to identify many ocular or general health issues at an earlier stage and therefore provide the opportunity for earlier and more effective treatment options.

Another advantage of the OPSM service is the exclusive Accufit process. The process includes a digital eyewear measurement system which fits your prescription lenses to your pupils to within 0.1mm. The resulting fit is clearer and more precise than anything we’ve used before.

Visit OPSM today to find your perfect frame and take advantage of the great offers available to St.LukesHealth members.

OPSM stores are located across Tasmania in Hobart, Sandy Bay, Eastlands, Rosny, Moonah, Glenorchy, Kingston, Kings Meadow, Launceston, Devonport, Penguin, Burnie, Wynyard and in all other states.

* Subject to your particular level of health cover, available limit and health fund rules. St.LukesHealth limits are calendar year (1 January to 31 December), it’s a good idea to check your plan and see what you’re entitled to. Excludes eye tests and contact lens consultations

** Health fund discounts are not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount, rebate or benefit other than a health fund rebate. Excludes eye tests and contact lens consultations and designer brand frames and sunglasses by Chanel & Maui Jim products.

^ Standard scan refers to a 45 degree retinal scan using Fundus photography

**Health fund discounts are not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount, rebate or benefit other than a health fund rebate. Excludes eye tests and contact lens consultations and designer brand frames and sunglasses by Chanel & Maui Jim products.

At OPSM we are very excited to now be approved optical partner with St.LukesHealth. To celebrate we are inviting all St.LukesHealth members to visit OPSM to discover our amazing range of frames and take advantage of the fantastic benefits that are now available to all St.LukesHealth members **:

PROVIDER PARTNER

20%OFF 20%

OFF 20%OFF 15%

OFF 5%OFF

NON-RXSUNGLASSES

CONTACTLENSESLENS EXTRASLENSESFRAMES

OPS

M91

79

REDUCING THE COST OF YOUR NEW GLASSES.

You’ve spoken, we’ve listenedSt.LukesHealth realises that there are a number of new methods for the communication of information and services to our valued members and we are taking steps to adopt these technologies.

For example, St.LukesHealth understands that our everyday lives are getting busier and not everyone can get to one of our offices to claim. So we introduced a mobile claiming app (iPhone and Android) for which the direct feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we haven’t forgotten the other smart phone users too, we will be looking to bring the mobile claiming app to you soon.

We don’t plan to stop there, the feedback from our members in relation to electronic communication has reached a point where we simply must provide you with more options. For those that still prefer traditional mail, don’t worry we haven’t forgotten you, we’re just trying to enrich our communication services for all our members.

So over the coming months, we will be looking at the various forms of correspondence we currently use and look at ways to deliver your information electronically to you and we hope you will enjoy the improved interaction with St.LukesHealth.

So if you have an email address or mobile number, why not update it through our mobile service www.stlukes.com.au/Mobile/UpdateMyDetails

…and while you’re at it, why not register to use our Online Member Services, here’s the link www.stlukes.com.au and look for the “Register” link.

St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 20156

Everything you want is on the other side of fear...

Jessica Norton is a real entrepreneur in every sense of the word. This young lady of only 23, winner of the Southern Cross Young Achiever – St.LukesHealth Health and Wellbeing Award, has taken living with food allergies, a debilitating and potentially life threatening set of conditions and turned them into a life lesson on positive thought.

Jessica has set up her own business Eat Safe Live Well, to help spread awareness of food allergies and holistic living. Her aim for those who have allergies is to make it easier for them to get out and enjoy safely eating at local restaurants, cafes, bars and events.

Grayson Genders, Manager Brand and Marketing at St.LukesHealth recently took a moment to catch up and get some further insight into Jess and the Eat Safe Live Well brand.

Grayson: Hey Jess, what are you currently doing with yourself?

Jessica: I’m currently working; I’m doing a bit of freelance graphic design and I’m working my casual job two days a week, as a program officer, at a place called Parkside, working with children with disabilities. I organise school holiday programs and adventure camps. I’m also doing a bit of design work there as well, improving on their presentation.

And I’m now starting to focus on the Eat Safe Live Well brand, to get it up and running a couple of days a week. Hopefully it will start to take off further and become something I can do as a job, which will be fun. 

Grayson: Can you tell us a bit more about the Eat Safe Live Well project and the background?

Jessica: It started as an idea in my last year of university; we had to do an individual piece for assessment, a big campaign on something we could do ourselves.  I was saying to my university tutor the night before the concept pitch was due “what am I going to do?” and she was like “well tell me something about yourself”. I was like “I’m a coeliac”, and she was like “lets roll with that”. So the idea started as the project title “your mates plate”, it was to be all about looking after your mate when you go out and their allergies. 

So when I finished Uni I freelanced which was awesome and picked up a few jobs which kept me busy. Then I got a bit bored and I thought when I was cleaning out all of my books, I thought I’ve done a year’s worth of research and I’ve spoken to doctors and dieticians and all these cool people, Its like why don’t I go out and actually do something. So I approached our local government to get it going.

Grayson: Did you come up with a plan first?

Jessica: Yeah, I was freelancing with another designer at the time and we were sitting down thinking, what are some ways we can bring in extra revenue, with ideas we’ve got or more design stuff. I said well I had this idea in Uni that I sort of did, I reckon we could expand on it and try and get the local food festival on board and take it on.

So we meet with local government and they were like “great idea but our legal department think it’s ahh you know” and so then we were like well we’ll just do it ourselves.

So I went around, I thought I’ve got the skills to make a book, I got the skills to do things. So I sent out emails to local businesses and said “hey this is my concept what do you think?” and in the space of two months I was doing it. I put the book out which was kinda cool and it’s just taken off from there.

Grayson: Have there been any other key turning points?

It was an idea on a piece of paper.

Jessica: Winning the Health and Wellbeing award with St.LukesHealth was a real massive turning point; it was like someone sees real value in what I’m doing. On the night I was up against four other amazing people. People doing things like looking for the cure for cancer and I’m like my ideas just simple, letting people know where they could eat. So that was a really massive turning point for me. It was hard work, I’m not discounting it. All I had to sell at the time was an idea on a piece of paper and I had to get people to run with it. I just had to keep knocking on doors.

pro

file

7St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 2015

It’s Easy.

Grayson: Were you surprised at how people reacted and how receptive they were?

Jessica: I was surprised to get some bigger businesses, those better known around town. I thought the smaller business, one on one not a problem, but I was unsure about how the bigger ones would receive the idea. It gave the brand some credibility to get the bigger ones on board. There were lots of no’s, it was a matter of saying that’s ok and knocking on the next door.

Grayson: What were some of the reasons for giving you a no?

Jessica: Some people were a bit sceptical when all I had was a piece of paper with an idea and a few diagrams. They said to me it was “unproven”, “untested”, “you haven’t tried it out”. They were looking from purely a business point of view, in that I hadn’t established distribution channels and that sort of thing. It’s that sort of thing when you look at selling there are the people who will rush out and be the first to get on and the others who will give it more time and consideration. And then there are those who will get on because everybody else is taking advantage of the idea.

Grayson: Have there been any relationships in this project that have made a real difference for you?

Jessica: Yes!! I couldn’t do all this with out my fabulous team and family. Our brand chef Veronica Smith is a constant sounding board and great friend. Last year we worked together and held a mothers day afternoon tea for 110 ladies. It was a pretty special moment, knowing 110 people had turned up to support my brand. Also Pip McKendrick our brands naturopath and Debbie Pannowitz our brands nutritionist have been amazing to work with. And lastly a big shout out to my family and partner, their support and positivity has helped me strive further to achieve my goals.

Grayson: Have you met anyone that has

inspired you to keep things going during the hard times?

Jessica: Anyone that gets on board and uses the service, I feel is giving me that vote of confidence and they inspire me to keep going. When I meet with a business and they come on board after a meeting I get excited, it’s a pretty cool feeling. The twenty businesses I have on board are awesome and really supportive. They all believe in the concept.

I really enjoy doing it but as people tell me I have to work on my business not in my business. Because sometimes I get so focused and it’s exciting but at the end of the day I’ve got to think as a business it’s not going to make money, yes it’s good for publicity and that sort of thing but you need to focus on the business side of things.

Grayson: What’s been the most rewarding thing?

Jessica: The most rewarding thing is when people tell me they have seen or picked up my book or when I get awesome emails from people saying “I got given your book and oh my goodness it made things so easy to get out, thank you”. The best thing is when people give you feedback on what you’re doing. It’s good; it feels good when people are using the service you are providing.

Grayson: What would you say to someone your age considering developing a product or service like you have?

Jessica: Go for it, it’s scary but that’s half the fun I say. I have a quote at home it says “everything you want is on the other side of fear”. It’s kind of true, you have to push past it.

St.LukesHealth is continuing to support Jessica spread awareness of food allergies. In 2015 you’ll see Jessica out and about with us in the community at events like Agfest. So if you see her, say G’day and find out more.

Fo r mo re i n f o head t o www.ea t sa f e l i v ewe l l . com .au o r www. facebook . com/ea t sa f e l i v ewe l l

Private Health Insurance Rebate updateLast year the Government made a change to the way it indexed the Private Health Insurance Rebate.

If you are eligible for the Rebate, this Government change will again affect the amount of rebate you are entitled to this year.

Last year the Australian Government capped its contribution towards private health insurance by limiting the indexing of the rebate to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the average premium increase across all health funds, whichever is the lesser.

This means that with effective from 1 April 2015, as the CPI factor used by the Government is lower than the average premium increase across all health funds, the rebate as a percentage of your premium has again reduced.

For those claiming the rebate as a premium reduction, the rebate amount and the net premium shown in your rate change letter has been adjusted by this factor.

To find out more about this Government change, go to www.stlukes.com.au/indexingrebate.aspx

St.LukesHealth EasyHealth march 20158

Meet your new local Business Development OfficersCaroline Farquhar Based in Hobart | Services the Greater Hobart City, Kingston and Huon Areas

Caroline has recently started with St.LukesHealth. “I have recently started in this role with St.LukesHealth - but already I am thrilled to find out that my client base includes some amazing companies and organisations that employ many hard working Tasmanians”.

Caroline finds people “deeply interesting”, and she truly loves meeting new people, and learning about their lives and how she can find ways to help them in her role. Given 10 words or less to describe herself Caroline states “you’ll find me “ joyful, interested, sincere, loyal, empathetic, friendly, compassionate, enthusiastic, & a great listener and talker!”

Courtney OsborneBased in Launceston | Services Northern Tasmania

Courtney is a self-confessed car fanatic, so he enjoys being out on the road, meeting new people and helping find the right product to safeguard them and their family’s future. He is all about developing new opportunities with new customers and ensuring strong relationships with his existing clients. “I’m dedicated to helping people, finding what best suits their needs and building ongoing client relationships”.

Cycle China Challenge 5-20 October 2014 In October 2014, an eager group of 22 keen riders who had a shared passion for adventure as well as fundraising to support Diabetes Tasmania, embarked on a two week cycle around China. The group included St.LukesHealth’s Chief Analytics Officer, Darren Harris. The group was very diverse in terms of ages, fitness levels, special dietary and cycling needs, including four riders with type 1 diabetes.

Upon arriving in China, the group started cycling from Guangzhou to Zhoaquing, and then to Deqing, Wuzhou and Mengshan where we were able to experience traditional Chinese living. Cycling through the rural sector was a feast for the eyes and provided a dramatic contrast to the densely populated cities. Yangshou had a much more westernised and modern feel and gave us a taste of what was to come in Xian and Beijing. To experience China at ‘handlebar level’ was truly exhilarating and the opportunity to interact with the locals as the trip progressed was a particularly special part of the challenge. There was also an opportunity to do a lot of sightseeing with the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City being highlights of the trip.

An important part of this trip was to visit two hospitals that specialised in the treatment of diabetes, one that used western medicine as well as a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.

The visit to the Endocrinology Department of the Guangdong General Hospital which is located in the southeast of China was incredible due to its size. The Hospital has 5,174 hospital staff and over 2,500 hospital

beds. It has 37 specialties and six outpatient departments serving over 10,000 patients each day. Diabetes is a rapidly growing issue within China, the International Diabetes Federation report that

‘China has the world’s largest diabetes epidemic, and it continues to grow at a fearsome pace. Rapidly rising rates of diabetes have been seen in previous studies, and the most recent research found that China has overtaken the USA in terms of diabetes prevalence: according to the latest data, 11.6% of Chinese adults have diabetes. The Chinese diabetes population stands at some 114 million people — about a third of all people with diabetes.’ *

The group helped raised more than $34,000 with ten percent being donated to the Diabetes Unit at the Guangdong General Hospital. The trip was generously supported by Healthways Australia who deliver the ‘MyHealthGuardian’ program to St.LukesHealth’s members.

Diabetes Tasmania is the peak diabetes body within Tasmania, and the fundraising from the Cycle China Challenge will be used to help the 26,000

Tasmanians currently diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes Tasmania does this by providing high quality diabetes education throughout Tasmania and works in partnership with state and federal governments and other organisations. Diabetes Tasmania regularly run similar trips, if you are interesting in participating in future trips and supporting this great cause, the trips are advertised on the Diabetes Tasmania website www.diabetestas.org.au when they become available, with the next trip scheduled for early 2016.

If you would like to see more about this trip, you can access Darren’s blog at http://darren-harris-tas.tumblr.com

Source: * http://www.idf.org/BRIDGES/map/china