YOUR MILDURA HEALTH
Regional Expansion – Swan Hill At the start of this year, our Swan Hill office transitioned to a full-time service, staffed by three local people. In June, we took the next step in providing comprehensive support to our members in the Swan Hill region, relocating to a larger, modern office that allows us to better provide personalised In June, we also relocated our branch in Broken Hill, moving from the Broken Hill Community Credit Union to a fit-for- purpose office on the corner of Argent Street and Chloride Street. Like our expansion in Swan Hill, our relocation in Broken Hill forms part of our plan to increase our accessibility and visibility in our regional communities, outside Mildura. service. Read more about this on page 4. Regional Expansion – Broken Hill I am pleased to share that in our most recent survey, we recorded our strongest ever – 99% -- Member Satisfaction result. I would like to thank all the members who took time out of their day to complete the survey. Read more about this on page 5. Mildura Health Private Hospital The past two years have been exciting for our Private Hospital, with a range of new services and facilities introduced as part of our redevelopment project. You can read more about what has been happening and what the future has in store on page 11. Read more about this on page 4. Member Satisfaction Survey I am proud that our Organisation, with the support of our members, has been able to deliver this much needed health service to our local region and we look forward to continuing to expand our private healthcare system in the years ahead. Mildura Health Foundation In September last year, we officially launched the Mildura Health Foundation, an independent registered charity with our first appeal, an accommodation hub for people receiving radiation treatment at the Mildura Health Icon Cancer Centre, to be known as the Dr. Julie Zrna Centre. Our initial target was $5 million dollars to fund the construction of ten apartments. We have been overwhelmed by the support this project has received from people near and far, and with the construction costs now covered, we are seeking donations to cover the fit-out and ongoing operational expenses; with a view to providing the accommodation with little to no, out of pocket expenses for those who use them. After awarding the tender to JAAG Professional Builders in June, construction of the Dr. Julie Centre commenced in July, and we hope to have the project complete by mid-2025. For more information about this project, including how you can donate, please read page 6. I am extremely grateful to all those who have supported this project. From myself, the team, and Board of Directors of Mildura Health, we wish you and your family the best of health. Gerard Op de Coul Mildura Health Chief Executive Officer
CEO UPDATE Mildura Health
Dear valued members, Australian consumers are continuing to recognise the benefits of being with a member owned, not-for-profit health fund and this has been reflected by Mildura Health Fund’s membership over the last twelve months. In 2023/2024 the Fund experienced encouraging policy growth of 3.65%, bringing our total membership to 37,842. Compared to industry growth of 1.54% We are proud to be able to continue providing you, our members, with the lowest price compliant gold hospital policy in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and Tasmania in the open health funds category. It is your support that allows us to do this, and I sincerely thank you for your ongoing support and loyalty. I am pleased to share some of Mildura Health’s latest news with you. Giving back to our members In June, we were pleased to announce the return of $7 million dollars to members who held a financial hospital cover and who had an active policy as of 30 April 2024 for a minimum of six months. In total over 13,000 members received a benefit back. The 2024 return means that over the past three years, the Fund has returned over $19 million dollars as part of our COVID-19 Support Package and Give Back program, underpinned by our pledge not to profit from COVID-19. We have stuck to that commitment for our members. Members getting value from their Private Health Insurance Over the past four years, for a range of reasons, claims have been variable and consequently, long term forecasting is difficult. However, since January 2024, claiming has increased, which means our members are once again accessing the treatment they require, whether it is via hospitalisation or
general treatment such as dental check-ups. Lowest premium increase since 2008
In another demonstration of the value we offer our members, earlier this year we confirmed that we delivered our lowest premium increase of 2.14% (with rate protection) since 2008. The increase is also below industry average of 3.03% and below inflation.
SPRING/SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2024 | 3
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