Bupa has announced that more than 2.2 million of its customers will receive a $200 increase to their mental health Extras limits until the end of 2021 as additional support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company said 54 per cent of mental health claims it paid last year were made by customers using those services for the first time. According to Emily Amos, the managing director of Bupa Health Insurance, this shows the significant impact of the pandemic on the mental wellbeing of Australians.
“Supporting the mental wellbeing of our community is a significant challenge to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with many Australians accessing mental healthcare for the first time,” said Ms Amos.
“Customers have said they want more accessibility to mental health services and it is an important part of their products, especially for younger members.
“The addition of $200 more in mental health benefits1 will give customers coverage for almost three extra psychology or counselling sessions and we hope this helps ease the stress on our customers’ minds and hip-pockets in 2021.”
Ms Amos said Bupa is always considering ways to adapt its policies to the needs of its customers. “We’ve seen real innovation in how customers want to access mental health care. Our customers are now covered for digital mental health online courses while psychology has been the most used service since we made telehealth available in March last year,” she said.
Ms Amos said Bupa also expanded its Mind Care Choices program that delivers mental health services as an outreach model of care that can be accessed at a clinic, in an individual’s own home or over the phone.
“The health landscape has changed dramatically over the past year and we are committed to supporting our customers and adapting our products through the uncertainty of COVID-19 and into the future,” added Ms Amos.