Health insurance
Time and time again, research tells us that health insurance is one of the most popular remuneration package items offered by employers.
Research has also revealed that people with Southern Cross health insurance take an average of 14 days off work due to illness requiring surgery, while uninsured New Zealanders take an average 48 days off work.1
We also know that 65 per cent of employees are more likely to remain with their employer if they have subsidised health insurance1
Why do New Zealanders need health insurance?
New Zealand’s public health system looks after acute and emergency treatment through a network of hospitals. However non-acute or elective treatment can take time. There are waiting lists for specialist appointments, investigative procedures, treatments and surgery.
For employees without health insurance, waiting time is likely to be uncomfortable at the least. Their day-to-day quality of life will suffer and productivity will almost certainly be affected.
As members of a Southern Cross health insurance scheme, your employees can have prompt access to quality health treatment that fits in with their life and work. Not only will they return to full productivity sooner, faster attention to health issues can help to prevent long-term problems. Currently, more than 500,000 New Zealanders enjoy Southern Cross health insurance cover through their workplace.
 HEALTHY PEOPLE |
 HEALTHY BUSINESS |
 Health insurance makes employees feel valued and secure. |
 Health insurance helps to attract and retain good people. Studies show that health insurance is one of the most popular remuneration package items offered by employers. |
| If an employee is diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, health insurance helps provide greater certainty and priority treatment through private hospitals. |
Private medical treatment helps protect your company’s productivity.
Faster treatment often means quicker return to work. |
| Employees can have treatment at a time that suits them. |
Treatment can be scheduled to minimise disruption at work. |
| Early intervention can prevent long-term and chronic sicknesses. |
Healthy employees are more productive. |
| Employees have the option of extending cover to their families, for a lower-than-usual premium rate. |
Family members return to full health more quickly, minimising the need for employees to take time off work to care for them. |
More choice for greater flexibility
As New Zealand’s health insurance specialist, the wide range of Southern Cross plans provide employers with maximum choice. From hospital-only cover to comprehensive plans that pay for almost everything, you can select a fully-subsidised group scheme that fits your specific needs and budget.
Voluntary (unsubsidised) schemes, where the employees pay the premiums themselves, are also available but take-up for voluntary schemes is low – around 20%. Businesses are less likely to notice productivity benefits if only a few employees have cover. For this reason, subsidised plans (average take-up of 90%) are considered best practice.
How healthy are New Zealanders?
For a quick picture of New Zealand’s state of health, go to our 'NZ health survey' page.
Why Southern Cross?
A quick overview of our popular plans
Sources:
1. TNS Research 2004.
* Terms and conditions apply
Health insurance
Time and time again, research tells us that health insurance is one of the most popular remuneration package items offered by employers.
Research has also revealed that people with Southern Cross health insurance take an average of 14 days off work due to illness requiring surgery, while uninsured New Zealanders take an average 48 days off work.1
We also know that 65 per cent of employees are more likely to remain with their employer if they have subsidised health insurance1
Why do New Zealanders need health insurance?
New Zealand’s public health system looks after acute and emergency treatment through a network of hospitals. However non-acute or elective treatment can take time. There are waiting lists for specialist appointments, investigative procedures, treatments and surgery.
For employees without health insurance, waiting time is likely to be uncomfortable at the least. Their day-to-day quality of life will suffer and productivity will almost certainly be affected.
As members of a Southern Cross health insurance scheme, your employees can have prompt access to quality health treatment that fits in with their life and work. Not only will they return to full productivity sooner, faster attention to health issues can help to prevent long-term problems. Currently, more than 500,000 New Zealanders enjoy Southern Cross health insurance cover through their workplace.
| HEALTHY PEOPLE |
HEALTHY BUSINESS |
| Health insurance makes employees feel valued and secure. |
Health insurance helps to attract and retain good people. Studies show that health insurance is one of the most popular remuneration package items offered by employers. |
| If an employee is diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, health insurance helps provide greater certainty and priority treatment through private hospitals. |
Private medical treatment helps protect your company’s productivity.
Faster treatment often means quicker return to work. |
| Employees can have treatment at a time that suits them. |
Treatment can be scheduled to minimise disruption at work. |
| Early intervention can prevent long-term and chronic sicknesses. |
Healthy employees are more productive. |
| Employees have the option of extending cover to their families, for a lower-than-usual premium rate. |
Family members return to full health more quickly, minimising the need for employees to take time off work to care for them. |
More choice for greater flexibility
As New Zealand’s health insurance specialist, the wide range of Southern Cross plans provide employers with maximum choice. From hospital-only cover to comprehensive plans that pay for almost everything, you can select a fully-subsidised group scheme that fits your specific needs and budget.
Voluntary (unsubsidised) schemes, where the employees pay the premiums themselves, are also available but take-up for voluntary schemes is low – around 20%. Businesses are less likely to notice productivity benefits if only a few employees have cover. For this reason, subsidised plans (average take-up of 90%) are considered best practice.
How healthy are New Zealanders?
For a quick picture of New Zealand’s state of health, go to our 'NZ health survey' page.
Why Southern Cross?
A quick overview of our popular plans
Sources:
1. TNS Research 2004.
* Terms and conditions apply