2022 average premium increase announcement

On 23 December 2021 the Australian Government announced that the average premium increase (across all Australian health funds) will be 2.7% from 1 April 2022.

At 2.17%, Nurses & Midwives Health’s average increase is below the industry figure. And having chosen to defer increases for 6 months, they won’t kick in until 1 October 2022.

Read more in our premium update FAQs

The bigger picture

The delayed premium increase is an extension of our evolving COVID support package. Other recent additions include:

Rolling over unused 2021 annual Extras limits to 2022

This one is intended to help members^{^} (who may have struggled to use their Extras cover due to COVID-19) focus on improving their health. Who couldn’t use a bit more self-care right now?!

Making several telehealth benefits permanently available

Lockdown periods have made it clear that people in metro, regional and rural areas could all benefit from increased access to telehealth services. The following are now permanently available to eligible members*:

• Speech therapy
• Dietetics
• Lactation consultants
• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers.

Giving back to members

Our approach to the pandemic hasn’t made for flashy headlines, but we stand firm in our commitment to giving back savings that provide a genuine benefit to members. Our 2021 and 2022 premium deferrals alone will add up to around $26 million in savings for members.

We believe the vast majority of claims for procedures that were postponed due to COVID-19 have been deferred rather than cancelled. Preparing for a delayed influx of claims has been front-of-mind throughout our pandemic response – as it should be!

In other words, our members are STILL at the heart of everything we do. Amid the madness of COVID-19 and beyond!

^{^}Terms and conditions

*Benefits depend on level of Extras cover and remaining limits.