Two years ago, I was approached by Tracey, a 60-year-old woman who asked me to review her existing insurances. Tracey had a “shared cover” medical insurance plan, meaning that in the event of a claim, the insurer would pay 80%, and she would pay the remaining 20%. While paying 20% of the cost for small claims is easily affordable, meeting 20% of the cost of all major surgery, cancer treatment and ongoing care, diagnostic imaging and tests, potentially created a huge contingent financial exposure for Tracey, especially so in relation to the cost of expensive PHARMAC-funded and non-PHARMAC funded chemotherapy drugs. As private medical cover specialists, UProtectNZ was able to advise.
The benefits of moving to Private Medical cover
I had no hesitation in recommending that Tracey consider switching to comprehensive Private Medical Cover with Partners Life. She was happy to adopt a $2,000 annual excess in order to keep the premium at a manageable level.
Two months ago, Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer, necessitating a series of prompt diagnostic imaging and tests, specialist consultations, biopsy, surgery (partial mastectomy, plus right symmetrising breast reduction) and, following surgery, associated radiotherapy treatment scheduled to follow. As Tracey’s hospitalisation was to treat cancer (classified as a “serious illness”), the $2,000 excess was waived, meaning that despite the $40,000 cost of her treatment to date, she did not have to pay a single cent of the cost!
Support when you need it most
But it doesn’t end there. Under this plan, as the hospitalisation was to treat cancer, all follow-up treatment, specialist consultations and test costs will be covered until the cancer is considered to be cured or in remission. So, at the age of 62, Tracey is confident in knowing that she is in good hands with the quality Private Medical Cover she has in place.
Private medical insurance provides the opportunity – when you need it – for prompt diagnosis and treatment of serious medical conditions, as was the case for Tracey. So, if you do not presently have a protection plan for you and your family, I invite you to contact us for an initial no-obligation consultation. We have made a long-term commitment to helping people and our wider community and welcome the opportunity to be of assistance.
It’s what we do.
Theo Simeonidis
UProtectNZ Insurance Services