Living Healthy Magazine September 2013

LIVING

healthy MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2013 Queensland Country Health Fund Policyholder Newsletter ed.10

THE BENEFITS OF

stretching

STILL THE

best choice FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

public hospital admissions

WHAT TO DO

better health cover shouldn’t hurt

FROM THE

General Manager HEALTH FUND

The second change relates to the removal of the Medicare rebate from the Lifetime Health Cover loading component of premiums. The loading is paid by those policyholders who joined health insurance for the first time after the age of 31. Further details of both these changes are included on our website.

Reflecting on the 2012/13 financial year, health insurance was in the media more often than we have seen in the past few years.

The ongoing changes to the Medicare rebate by the Federal Government have been the main topics of discussion and have resulted in further complexity and issues of affordability for many. Fortunately the changes have not affected the majority of policyholders although the changes create further confusion and uncertainty about health insurance.

In very simple terms, the two main changes that have taken place have been means testing of the Medicare rebate so that higher income earners receive a reduced or nil rebate. It is important for any Members who will earn higher incomes to contact us so that the rebate can be reduced.

Otherwise if no change is made there may be a tax liability payable.

2 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

On a more positive note our Members have made good use of their health insurance cover over the past year. We have paid out more than 86% of the total premiums we received.

We were also very pleased to see Choice again recognise Queensland Country as one of the two best Health Funds in Queensland for Private Hospital cover. Our strategic goal is to be the best value health insurer in Queensland and we plan to achieve this by offering market leading benefits, competitive premiums and a quality service experience for Members.

We review our benefits each year to ensure we are meeting the needs of Members, we are keeping pace with health inflation and remaining very competitive. Following our review in 2013 we introduced a few changes.

These included offering a reduced premium for single parent families which recognises that adults claim the majority of benefits under a policy and therefore single parent families generally have lower claims than families with two adults. We also increased the benefits available for dental crowns and bridges and occupational therapy.

Queensland Country Health Fund now insures more than 40,000 people in regional Queensland and this number continues to grow strongly each year.

In 2013 our number of policyholders increased by 9% which is three times the policyholder growth achieved by all health insurers.

On a final note, we have included an article in the magazine discussing public hospitals and questioning whether Members should elect to receive treatment as a private patient or a public patient. The point of the article is to highlight the significant increase in the active recruitment of private patients by public hospitals following admission by our Members to public hospitals.

I have two concerns in relation to this apparent change in behaviour by public hospitals. The first concern is whether private patients are receiving tangible benefits by electing to be treated as private patients once they have been admitted to a public hospital and the second is the fairness of asking patients to make a decision about whether to use their health insurance or not when often the person is in a vulnerable state.

The fact remains that all Australian citizens have the right to be treated as a public patient and pay the Medicare levy to have that right. Unfortunately increases in claims paid to public hospitals is likely to lead to increases to health insurance premiums as we pay out nearly 90% of all premiums we receive each year in benefits.

There will be situations where electing to be a privately insured patient in a public hospital will provide the benefit of using a doctor of your choice and I certainly support and encourage this.

I would encourage Members to read the article and would be interested in Members sharing their thoughts or recent experiences on the matter to my email address below.

Aaron Newman General Manager anewman@qccu.com.au

Queensland Country Health Fund now insures more than 40,000 people in regional Queensland and this number continues to grow strongly each year.

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 3

BENEFITS in focus Preventative and Diagnostic Dental We all know the importance of going to the dentist regularly, every six months is best, for a checkup and a clean. At your appointment the dentist will do a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums, and depending on the last time, will take some biting x-rays. A scale and clean will usually follow, if this isn’t performed by the dentist then your clean will be undertaken by the practice hygienist. A scale and clean involves removing the build up of plaque and tartar on your teeth, cleaning in any gum pockets and polishing your pearly whites. The whole visit can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes and should be painless and hassle free.

Here’s an example of benefits paid on Preventative and Diagnostic dental items:

LIMITS PER MEMBERSHIP YEAR AND WHAT WE’LL PAY

TYPE OF SERVICE

Waiting

Premium Extras

Essential Extras

Young Extras

Periods

$1400 overall limit per membership year. Limit applies per person covered

$900 overall limit per membership year. Limit applies per person covered

Smart Start Extras*

$600

$400

$500*

Periodic Oral Exam - $42

Periodic Oral Exam - $27

Periodic Oral Exam - $32

X-rays - $30

X-rays - $19

X-rays $23

Diagnostic These services include examinations,

2 months

consultations and x-rays Preventative These services include cleaning and scaling, fluoride treatment, oral

$800

$500

$500*

Scale & Clean - $70

Scale & Clean - $45

Scale & Clean - $53

Fluoride Treatment - $20

Fluoride Treatment - $13

Fluoride Treatment - $15

2 months

hygiene instruction and mouth guards

* Young Extras Dental: General dental, surgical extractions, and crowns and bridges are covered by a combined limit of $500 per person up to $1000 per policy.

Smart Start Extras Dental covers $500 per person up to $1000 per policy for General Dental and $500 per person up to $1000 per policy for Major Dental (excluding services for dentures).

4 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

The link between your Gums and your Health Gum disease or jaw bone disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease, is one of the most common diseases in the world.

It is estimated to affect up to 75% of the population and almost all smokers. It smells just as bad as its previous name Pyorrhea and is the reason for 90% of bad breath.

Periodontal disease is caused by the build up of bacteria around the gums, slowly burrowing underneath and permanently eating away the supporting jaw bone. Often painless, most people occasionally notice bleeding gums or bad breath. When it gets advanced enough, teeth may then start to wobble or even fall out by themselves.

Since the 1990s research has also linked periodontal disease to heart disease and diabetes and is associated with high blood pressure, arthritis and a lot of other inflammatory diseases. It is suspected that the constant inflammation and infection stresses the body with a continual stream of toxins.

Fortunately it is mostly a painless disease and can be prevented, or if already started, managed. The damage that is done to the jaw bone is irreversible but it may be stopped or maintained and hopefully the loss of teeth may be avoided.

Dr Josh Pond BDSc Hons. (QLD) All About Teeth

The Dentist usually works in conjunction with the Hygienist to formulate a long term management and prevention plan. This usually starts with the full examination to assess the pockets or the gaps between the gum and the tooth. Anything between 0 and 3mm is normal, anything more than that indicates the start of bone disease.

The deeper the pocket, the further and worse the infection has travelled. This will determine whether a 'clean' is just a 'clean' or if more is needed.

Give your dentist a call and make sure they check your gums as well as your teeth and the rest of your body will thank you for it.

Dental Quoting through HICAPS We know that visiting the Dentist is not high up on anybody’s list of fun things to do!

Though you know you should visit more often (twice yearly for a checkup is

Your level of Extras will determine

and inputting your treatment plan item

what you will have to pay for your visit

numbers, a quote can be generated and

to the Dentist. Dentists’ prices will

we can provide you with your benefit

also vary from surgery to surgery. This

amounts per item number! This way

can contribute to an overall stressful

you will know what you are up for at

experience.

your next appointment making visits less stressful and easier to

recommended!), you probably don’t get

Whilst we can’t tell you what your initial

in that regularly as life gets in the way.

visit will cost, we can provide some

Then one day your tongue runs over

answers regarding further treatment.

If you do require further treatment

a sharp corner, or you gasp when you

To find out how much your treatment

after your next Dental appointment,

have a cold drink and you realise your

will cost before leaving the dental

please make sure you ask the

last visit to the Dentist was too long

surgery, you can ask your Dentist to do

receptionist to use the quote function

ago and you’re well overdue for a good

a quote via the HICAPS system. By

on the HICAPS machine and get a

check up and clean.

running through your Membership card

quote for your next visit.

manage if you’re on a budget!

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 5

Northern Eyes Members (who have Extras cover) are able to take advantage of an agreement we have with Northern Eyes (Townsville) to provide a discount on all frames and lenses.

The following discounts apply: • A 20% discount will apply to all optical frames when purchasing a complete set of spectacles • Prescription spectacle lenses attract a 10% discount • Prescription contact lenses attract a 10% discount • A 10% discount will apply to all prescription and Non-prescription sunglasses (only prescription sunglasses will attract a benefit from the Health Fund)

6 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER2013 2013

DEPENDANTS

16 and over Around this time of year, we get a lot of phone calls from Members looking for a statement of their claims made in the last financial year, these are called Benefit Statements.

They can be used when doing your annual tax return if your medical expenses have exceeded a certain amount which is set by the ATO. We are happy to provide these statements to yourself and your family members, however, we have to adhere to privacy laws which state any member over the age of 16 must provide their own consent for their information to be posted, emailed or produced online.

This means if you have dependants on your membership over the age of 16, they must provide us with written permission which gives you authority to act on their behalf.

We cannot produce statements, talk about claims, or give any information on their benefit availability without this. If you do have children aged 16 and over on your membership, we will require this paperwork. Your adult child will need to sign a document giving you permission to access their membership.

Email is not acceptable, however you can scan and email a signed document to us and we will save this on your membership.

If you are unsure of what you need to provide us with, please contact us and request an ‘Authority to Operate a Membership’ form and we will forward it to you. We can not provide claim information, benefit limits or update details for any person over the age of 16 on the membership, unless we have this written permission on file.

You can find this form on our website http://www.qldcountryhealth.com.au/cover-options/ forms-and-brochures

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 7

DID YOU KNOW ?

SAVE THE TREES

send us an email!

Whilst we love to hear your voice, you may not have time to give us a call during business hours.

Why not send us an email? If you don’t need an answer immediately you can send your query through and we will answer you within 24 hours (during the week).

Making a Claim When you make a claim and you’re unable to use your Membership card, you have to make a manual claim.

Some smaller providers will not have the electronic claiming system available, like massage providers, and pharmacy items are also not available to claim electronically. To make a claim on this service, you will be required to complete a claim form and send it into us. You can do this a number of ways:

Email Download a claim form from

Email is a great way to stay in touch with us especially if you are sending in a claim, returning a form or want to ask a question.

www.qldcountryhealth.com.au and scan and email with your receipt to info@qchfund.com.au.

Drop In Download a claim form from

Direct Deposit

www.qldcountryhealth.com.au and complete

If you make a claim with us, we can pay your benefits directly into your bank account, and depending on your financial institution, it could be in your account the very next day! You can update your bank account details on the claim form, through web services when you login or give us a call and we can update over the phone 1800 813 415.

Queensland Country Health Fund service centre.

then attach your receipt. Drop it into your local Queensland Country Credit Union branch or

Post Complete the claim form and post to us at PO Box 42 Aitkenvale Q 4814

Visit Us Visit your local health fund service centre and complete the claim over the counter and get your claim paid straight into your account.

Membership Card Your membership card is like your debit or credit card, you need to look after it. If your card is hard to read, names illegible, it’s been 5 years or more since you had a new one, not all member’s are listed, or it just won’t work then you need a new card!

You can order a new card via web services www.qldcountryhealthfund.com.au, send us an email (info@qchfund.com.au) or give us a call on 1800 813 415.

8 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

Still the Best Choice!

Choice Magazine Health Insurance Review

2013

The more the Government tinkers with health insurance, the more uncertain people become about the necessity of their policy.

independent consumer reviews of a range of different products

We think now, more than ever, when changes are being made

Each year Choice does an annual review of health insurance

so frequently, is more reason to keep your private health

policies available to all Australian residents and we have again

insurance. The future of healthcare in Australia remains

proved to be one of their top choices for Private Hospital cover.

uncertain. It stands to reason that if more and more people

This is fantastic news for all of our Members! Our Private

drop out of their private cover, this will only put more pressure

Hospital cover remains one of the best choices for people in

on an already exhausted public system.

and services available to Australian residents with the view to provide a non-biased opinion on everything from dishwasher’s to life insurance. They provide consumer’s with invaluable research and information on many different items, including Private Health insurance.

the following categories: couples planning a family or families with small children, families with young children, families with

Queensland Country Health Fund are constantly working to

school age children and middle aged couples/singles and

provide you with the best value for money health insurance in

mature singles and couples.

Queensland by keeping our premium’s as low as we possibly can. We have again been recognized as one of the top choices for Private Hospital cover by Choice magazine.

Our goal to provide affordable and comprehensive health insurance remains our top priority. We are constantly striving to be the best value Health Fund in Queensland. To be

For those that are unsure of who Choice are and what they

recognized as such is a great achievement for us and all

do, they are the self professed people’s watchdog. Compiling

our Members.

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 9

The benefits of stretching

Lauren Kelly Lauren Kelly Personal Training

Stretch much?

Most of us DON’T. We run, we swim, we power walk Kath and Kim style and we lift heavy things trying our hardest to be fit and healthy but we forget to reward those muscles that actually help us to DO all of those things!

The result? Tight, sore, aching muscles and for most of us – a niggly bit. Sore lower back? Dodgy shoulder? We all have a trouble spot. So what if I told you, that in most cases, stretching could help your dodgy bits, helping you to perform better in your chosen sport or exercise AND improving your quality of life? True story. Even if you’re not a person who lifts heavy things, just sitting at a desk all day or, the opposite, being on your feet constantly, can cause muscles to be tight and twingey.

Stretching increases flexibility and range of movement at the joint, helps us to maintain a proper posture, improves our balance and coordination, helps increase circulation and therefore energy levels and my favourite, helps to reduce stress by reducing muscle tension – caused by stress in the first place!

So when, what and how much?

Whenever you think of it!

Try shoulder stretches every time you’re in the shower. Hip stretches when you’re on the floor playing Barbies/Cars/ Lego with the kids. When you’re watching TV. You have the time. Incorporate it into your life so there can be no excuses. The obvious, and probably the most important time is always before and after exercise. Before exercise you should perform some dynamic, fluid stretches that replicate what sort of exercise you are about to do. Afterwards, a cool down walk and some static stretches relevant to the muscle groups worked.

10 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

My top four stretches Glute Stretch Lying on your back, right ankle to left knee, reach through the window grabbing behind the left thigh, head relaxed on the floor. Hold for a minimum of 30 seconds then repeat on the other side.

Hips “Swan Pose” – a gorgeous yoga stretch that is a personal favourite of mine. Probably not surprising that it’s in my top four list, no? On your hands and knees, bring your left leg out in front so your left heel is out near your right hip or groin (not tucked under your left thigh). Your left leg should be at an angle close to 90 degrees. Right leg is long on the floor behind you, toes down.

Stay here or lower yourself down to the floor onto your forearms. A lower level for this is both knees bent to 90 degrees, sitting bones (they’re the bony bits of your bottom) grounded on the floor. Hands can come wide rather than forearms down, for less intensity.

Shoulders “Childs Pose” – In a kneeling position with knees in line with hips, bring your chest down to the floor, arms long in front, with hands in line with shoulders. Push your hands away and palms into the floor. There are many variations of this pose, one being – keep your hands shoulder width apart, take hands to the left, hold for 30 seconds, repeat on right side.

Hamstrings Lying on your back on the floor, head relaxed, holding your calf if you can, gently pull back with breath. A towel can be used for assistance if you have trouble reaching your leg.

Please talk to your Personal Trainer, Exercise Physiologist or Allied Health Professional for more information if you’re unsure of the stretching that is right for you.

And remember to breathe. Try not to force the stretch and only attempt further, deeper movement with a nice, long out breath. A single stretch can be advanced quite a few times with this technique. A stretch should never be painful, so don’t push it, but remember, if that area is tight, it may feel a little bit yucky. Don’t see this as a deterrent; see it as a REASON to continue with your new stretching program. Enjoy the benefits of stretching. If you’re kind to your muscles, they will be kind to you!

] , ;

.

Lauren Nugent Eat Smart Nutrition Consultant

Are you drinking enough water?

We are often told to drink more water, but can you drink too much?

Yes… but you do have to be trying hard!

Hyponatraemia, or low blood sodium can occur when someone consumes water in excess of their requirements, which then dilutes the salts in their blood. Symptoms of hyponatraemia include nausea and vomiting, headache, confusion, lethargy, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, seizures and potentially death.

Hyponatraemia is rare and usually only occurs when an individual consumes many litres of water, possibly also when sweating at the same time, therefore losing salts in the sweat and furthering decreasing sodium in the blood stream.

What is a healthy fluid intake? Many recommendations are given from 6 or 8 glasses per day to 2 litres daily to complicated calculations of millilitres per kilo of your body weight. So how do you know how much is enough (or too much) for you?

Aim to drink 1 ½ - 2 litres of liquid per day, with at least 1 litre of water with another litre coming from other liquids such as tea, coffee, milk, juice, cordial, soft drink, iced tea etc if you choose to drink them. You should be drinking past the point of thirst but not

12 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

to the point where you feel full all the time and are unable to eat your full meals and snacks. On hot and humid days, or those days when you are more active you may need more fluid, on cooler or less active days you may not need as much.

People often drink only when they feel thirsty, however thirst is not always a good indicator of your fluid needs as your brain will tell you that you are hungry before it will tell you are thirsty.

In fact, by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. It is best to sip on fluids regularly to maintain hydration, but also to stop you needing to urinate as often. Drinking large volumes of fluid in a short duration (i.e. gulping or skulling) will produce more urine more quickly than if you sipped the same amount over an hour. You can also keep an eye on the colour of your urine, a clear or pale straw colour is produced when hydrated while yellow urine indicates dehydration.

Tea and coffee have been targeted as fluids, which cause diuresis, or fluid loss. However, this is untrue as most cups of tea and coffee have more liquid in the cup than you would lose from its slight diuretic effect. Alcohol however, can cause more of a loss of fluid than it contributes fluid to the body and should not be counted within your fluid intake for the day.

Our body is made up of 55-78% water and many of our body’s essential daily processes require water such as blood

pumping around the body, excretion of waste through urine and faeces, maintenance of skin health, production of tears and nasal discharge and muscle contraction. The majority of this fluid is supplied through what we drink, although 20% of the fluid in our body does come from food sources such as fruit and vegetables or liquid foods such as soups or smoothies.

Drinking enough water will ensure your thirst and hunger are well regulated, as well as ensuring your body is functioning at its best. Include a variety of fluids, as well as foods which contain fluid to ensure you keep your hydration in balance. If you are doing long duration (well over an hour) exercise where you are sweating, make sure you drink water, as well as some sport drink which contains sodium, to prevent hyponatraemia. Drink smart!

BENEFITS in focus Physiotherapy Physiotherapy is defined as the treatment of injuries and/or: the treatment of injuries and physical disabilities by a trained person under the supervision of a specialist in physical medicine.

As physiotherapy is such a diverse modality we cover a range of different items under this umbrella. This includes things like your standard physiotherapy treatment to group pilates hosted by a registered Physiotherapist and consultations with an Exercise Physiologist.

Exercise Physiology A sports science therapy, Exercise Physiology focuses on developing and delivering an exercise and dietary program to achieve the health and wellbeing goals of individuals. There has been a focus on the use of exercise and nutritional interventions in the treatment of chronic disease and there is a regular requirement of exercise physiology to prepare for or recover from surgery. In the broadest sense which includes assessment and prescribing exercise for rehabilitation, chronic and complex medical conditions and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Services must be provided by a Registered or Recognised Exercise Physiologist in Private Practice.

Providers must be accredited with their board/association and must have a Medicare Provider Number.

For benefits to be paid on Exercise Physiology we require a letter from your Medical Practitioner stating that the referral to an Exercise Physiologist is for an existing medical condition (e.g. rehabilitation, pre-operative or post-operative requirements, chronic disease management). This letter is only valid for 12 months from the date of referral. If the condition still exists after this 12 month period, a new referral letter is required.

NOTE: Not all Exercise Physiologists charge a consultation fee. The initial consultation fee is available for Members to claim a benefit only if it is the policy of the Registered Practice to charge a consultation fee.

Premium Extras $550 combined sublimit

Essential Extras $350 combined sublimit

Young Extras Smart Start Extras $300 per person up to $600 per policy

Initial consultation

$50

$32

$40

Subsequent consultation

$35

$22

$30

$10 Sub-limit of $100 applies

$7 Sub-limit of $70 applies

X

Premium Extras $550 combined sublimit

Essential Extras $550 combined sublimit

Young Extras

Initial consultation

$50

$32

X

Subsequent consultation

$35

$22

X

Monthly Program Fee

$35

$22

X

Physiotherapy

Group Pilates Exercise Physiology

2 months

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 13

What can I expect from physiotherapy ?

With a large variety of allied health services and alternative medicines, it’s easy to get confused with what profession fits in where.

Physiotherapy services include: • sports and workplace injury diagnosis and treatment • post-op rehabilitation • clinical pilates • hydrotherapy • women’s health • back and neck pain

Physiotherapy is a health care service that assesses, diagnoses and treats disease and injuries, as well as working to prevent injury and disability through physical means. Physiotherapists are trained experts in movement and function who work closely with their patients, assisting them to overcome movement disorders, which may have been present from birth, acquired through accident or injury or the result of aging.

As well as other treatment techniques like dry needling, massage, mobilisation, manipulation as well as the prescription of mobility aids, splints etc. Your physiotherapist will also be able to identify when referral to another professional (GP, specialist, massage therapist, occupational therapist, orthotist to name a few) as well as ordering basic medical imaging.

NQPC has been a physiotherapy clinic servicing Townsville for over 18 years, and is under directorship of owner Steve Sartori. The clinic is the preferred clinic for the North Queensland Cowboys NRL and NYC teams. We are also proud to be associated with several local sporting clubs and schools, across a variety of sports and events.

Seeing a physiotherapist can help you to recover from injury quicker, whilst educating you how to best manage the injury long-term and prevent re-injury. Reducing pain and stiffness, restoring movement and improving overall function are typically the primary concern for the physio, and typically some sort of home exercise prescription will be indicated to further assist recovery.

A small few of the common injuries seen at the clinic include; acute wry neck (spasm of the neck muscles – likely from bad sleep or posture), shoulder pain, tennis elbow, on-going low back stiffness (along with referred pain down the legs), knee pain and feelings of ‘giving way’ and ‘locking’ as well as repetitive rolled ankles.

Sometimes these conditions are quite easily managed and treated with the right diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Acute wry neck can be settled with facet joint mobilisation, massage, passive stretching and some gentle home exercises. Shoulder pain is often very disabling and is typically the most painful joint to have injured. If you are getting episodes of instability, you need to be doing some stabilising and neuromuscular exercises, as well as having your work and gym activities modified. If you are getting night pain, then this is typically the most

14 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013

Jon Crawley B. Pthy Senior Physiotherapist

significant symptom, and you should have this attended to immediately.

Referred pain down the legs coming from the lower back area can mean a nerve root is being impinged, and treatment plus correct modifications can be given to relieve this. Knee pain with catching or locking usually means you have a meniscus tear. Once you have been educated on how this injury comes about, you will understand why you have a symptomatic knee and what you can do about it.

If a day passes where I didn’t hear a patient say “it’s been painful for ages, but I thought it would fix itself”, then I haven’t done my full 8 hours. It’s certainly much easier to manage and treat an injury in the acute (early) stage, and is much better for your long-term outcome. Today’s rebates are instantly claimed through HICAPS, and we’ve loved having Queensland Country Health as part of our team both at the clinic, and as long-term supporters and sponsors of the Cowboys.

Physiotherapy appointments can be made without a referral, and there is rarely a long waiting time to get in for an appointment.

Public Hospital admissions.

What to do?

Accidents happen, that’s a fact of life and in the event of an emergency or an accident, you may find yourself being transported by ambulance to your nearest hospital.

More often than not, that facility may be a public hospital.

What now? Do you use your private health insurance or do you choose to be treated as a public patient? This decision is ultimately up to you. We just wanted to make you aware of a few things.

All tax paying Australian residents pay a Medicare levy as part of their annual tax return. Every single Australian resident covered by Medicare is entitled to free medical care at a public hospital. If you choose to use your private health insurance when admitted to a public facility, this will not grant you any better or special medical care. The only perk of using your private health insurance is that you may be able to secure a private room, but this is not always certain.

If you do elect to be admitted as a private patient you may also face out of pocket fees for medical items which would have been bulk billed had you chosen to be admitted as a public patient. Like private hospitals, public hospitals need to provide you with “Informed Financial Consent”, they have a responsibility to tell you what you will need to pay if you choose to be a private patient in a public hospital. This includes any doctor’s fees or diagnostic fees which may only apply because you have chosen to be a private patient.

buz

On admission to the public hospital you may be groggy, disorientated, or even unconscious. Your immediate concern is to your health and wellbeing, as should the public hospital’s staff. Your treatment comes first.

If you or your loved ones are asked, please don’t feel pressured to make any decisions regarding your health insurance status.

Some public hospitals are very focused on finding potential private patients in public hospitals, so do not forget it is your choice. Take a moment to discuss your options with your loved ones to understand the benefits of electing to be a private patient in a public hospital.

If it appears that you will need ongoing care or treatment in a hospital, you may request to be transferred to the nearest private facility but you may feel comfortable being treated publicly for short term care. It is your right as an Australian resident to be treated as such if this is your choice.

We are here to help.

If you have any questions regarding hospital admission, public or private, please let us know.

You can reach us in a number of ways: Email info@qchfund.com.au Phone 1800 813 415 Through our website www.qldcountryhealth.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2013 | Queensland Country Health Fund 15

Local financier announces lowest mortgage rates on record Queensland Country Credit Union has announced their mortgage rates have hit their lowest in the recorded history of the business.

The customer owned financier have been closely following the RBA drops over the past 12 months and again followed suit lowering their standard variable rate by the full 25 basis points following last month’s announcement.

CEO Aileen Cull said the decision had been easy.

“As a Customer-Owned financial institution, we’re in the business of helping people achieve their goals. We want to make a difference in their lives,” she said.

“Right now we understand that any move to help ease the cost of living for a household is appreciated by those who bank with us.”

The Queensland born Credit Union grew their loan book by 5.5 per cent in the last financial year and currently manage over $1 billion in loans for people across the state. Ms Cull credits the ongoing success of Queensland Country to their customer focussed business model. “Being Customer-Owned means that our entire purpose is to influence positive change in people’s lives,” she explained.

“That means our staff are genuinely interested in doing the right thing by those who bank with us and it shows in our customer satisfaction ratings which are consistently higher than the big banks.

“It is wonderful to be able to say that our staff have a real sense of camaraderie with our members, especially in our smaller communities.”

For more information please contact Marketing and PR Manager Sarah Standen on 0437 828 087

Talk to our local home loan expert today DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE

Choose a Queensland Country Home Loan

Chooseme our hons loa

Visit your local home loan expert or call 1800 075 078 Queensland Country Credit Union Limited ABN 77 087 651 027 Australian Credit Licence 244 533.

Fees and charges and normal lending criteria apply.

16 Queensland Country Health Fund | SEPTEMBER 2013