Committed to giving back
In total, we have provided support to members to the value of approximately $41.8 million since 2020 with a range of COVID-19 support measures including:
- Four member givebacks totalling $36.4 million;
- Postponing premium increases;
- Introducing new member benefits such as telehealth services on our extras covers;
- COVID-related benefits; and
- Additional measures to assist financially vulnerable members.
As a not-for-profit and member-owned health fund, we’re proud to return COVID-19 claim savings to you again. This will be the final giveback payment.
Anyone on a Peoplecare cover with an active membership on 30/06/2023.
The refund amount is calculated proportional to:
a) your level of cover – ambulance only, extras only, hospital only or combination cover; and
b) your scale of cover – single, single parent family, couple, family or extended family.
You’ll receive your refund in the same bank account that we pay your claim benefits to in the coming weeks; you don’t need to do anything if your details are up-to-date. However, we recommend you check that your bank details are up-to-date. It's easy, just follow the instructions below.
This is the bank account that we’ll pay your refund to, so it’s important that it’s up-to-date. To review or update your benefit account bank details:
Follow this link to the Peoplecare mobile app
OR
Log in to Online Member Services and navigate to your membership payment details
You can also call us on 1800 808 690. to review or update your benefit account bank details.
Our intention is to return the refund to all eligible members by mid December. We’re working hard behind the scenes to make this happen and we’ll be sure to notify you as soon as we’ve processed your refund.
We will let you know when we’ve sent your refund by sending you a remittance advice. The provider name will be PEOPLECA so you know it came from us, and it will detail the exact amount that we paid you.
If your membership is in arrears on or from 30/06/2023, we still consider your membership active so you will receive a refund.
If you suspended your health cover on or before 30/06/2023, we consider your membership inactive so you will not receive a refund.
If you suspended your health cover membership after 30/06/2023 you may be eligible for a return. We will contact all eligible suspended members.
If you terminated your health cover on or before 30/06/2023, we consider your membership inactive so you will not receive a refund.
If you terminated your health cover membership after 30/06/2023 you may be eligible for a return. We will contact all eligible terminated members.
The refund you will receive is based on the level of cover you held as at 11:59pm 30/06/2023.
Changes to temporary COVID- related measures
In early 2020, as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Peoplecare implemented a number of temporary initiatives to support members. These initiatives included:
- Cover for all COVID-related Hospital admissions (including complications from COVID Vaccine)
- Extension of eligibility for CDMP Programs to all levels of cover (Previously excluded on Bronze Hospital & Basic Hospital)
These were extended a number of times since early 2020.
As of 1 April 2024, the following changes will be implemented;
- Hospital treatment related to COVID-19 will now be covered if you have the relevant clinical categories under your hospital policy.
- Chronic Disease Management Programs (CDMP) will be included on all levels of hospital cover.
COVID-19 Hospital Admissions
This means that from 1 April 2024, if a Peoplecare member is admitted to hospital as a private patient for COVID-19 related treatment, eligibility for benefits will be determined based on the clinical categories covered on their policy.
It is important to note, that the far majority of COVID-19 admission seen in recent years, have been through the public hospital system, where admissions will continue to be covered by Medicare.
If a member wishes to ensure they have private hospital cover for COVID-19 related admissions, they can contact our team to discuss their cover options.
This change will impact members on:
- Basic
- Basic Plus
- Bronze Plus
- Mid Hospital
Chronic Disease Management Programs (CDMP)
The second change is permanently including Chronic Disease Management Programs (CDMP) on all levels of hospital cover.
The addition of CDMP on all levels of hospital cover would be a value add to members while also supporting Peoplecare in our strategic objective to support the health of our members.
This change will impact members on:
- Basic
- Basic Plus
- Bronze Plus
- Mid Hospital