A new list of policy variations is being introduced and will form part of your policy.
This list sets out variations to policy terms and conditions that may apply from time to time. These variations include the way we treat some exclusions (as listed in the policy document) and certain benefit terms, or new ways of delivering healthcare services we’re testing. This may mean you can access additional cover while these variations are included on the list of policy variations.
The list of Affiliated Provider-only healthcare services is being removed from the policy document.
The list will still form part of your policy but will only be available on our Affiliated Provider-only healthcare services page. We’re removing this list from the policy document to enable us to update it more regularly. You’ll need to check the website for updates or you can contact us to request a copy of the most up-to-date list.
The list of documents that form part of your health insurance policy is being updated.
Your application form, any health insurance medical declarations, the list of Affiliated Provider-only healthcare services, the eligibility criteria, the list of unapproved healthcare services, the list of Prostheses and Specialised Equipment and the list of policy variations are included in the list of documents that form part of your policy.
We’re changing how we communicate changes to certain documents that form part of your policy.
This means you may not receive direct communications for all changes, and you’ll need to refer to our website for the latest versions of the following information: the eligibility criteria, the list of unapproved healthcare services, the list of Affiliated Provider-only healthcare services, the list of Prostheses and Specialised Equipment, and the list of policy variations.
The financial strength rating summary is being updated – no changes to Southern Cross Health Society’s financial strength rating.
To reflect the updates made by our rating agency, we’re removing the ‘R’ (Regulatory Action) and ‘NR’ (Not Rated) ratings from the financial strength rating summary and updating the web address to spglobal.com/ratings/en/about/intro-to-credit-ratings.
References to the Southern Cross Medical library are being removed.
The Medical library on our website is no longer available so any references to it in the policy document are being removed.
References to ‘DHB’ have been updated to ‘Health NZ Te Whatu Ora’.
‘DHB’ was an abbreviation for District Health Board. These have been disestablished. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is the relevant national health entity.
The exclusion for illnesses, injuries, conditions or disabilities related to intoxication is being removed.
The exclusion for substance abuse, intoxication or drug taking has been revised to focus only on the abuse of substances such as alcohol or drugs, rather than intoxication on its own.
Unclaimed monies.
We’re extending the length of time we will hold unclaimed monies for you from 2 years to 4 years.
The 3 month stand-down period for adding newborns without the need to complete a health insurance medical declaration is being removed.
Newborn children can be added without underwriting, provided they were born after the policy start date and the policyholder adds the child within 3 months of the child’s birth date.
Removal of requirement to disclose if your surgical procedure requires a registered nurse first surgical assistant.
When you apply for prior approval, you won’t need to let us know if a registered nurse first surgical assistant will be required as part of your surgery. But you’ll still need to let us know if your surgery requires more than one surgeon, including an assistant surgeon.
