nib has announced it has extended its COVID-19 member and community support package for an additional three months.
Managing director Mark Fitzgibbon said the pandemic continues to have ongoing financial and health impacts even though restrictions have eased and more healthcare services are now available.
“We know for many the COVID-19 pandemic has created financial uncertainty, and the personal and professional adjustments we’ve had to make can take a toll on our mental and physical health and wellbeing,” he said.
“By extending our support package we hope this provides both our members and the community with additional support to assist them as we return to a new normal.”
Mr Fitzgibbon added the health insurer was starting to see claiming activity return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
“Our initial predictions were that elective surgery would be suspended for many months due to the pandemic. In recent weeks we’ve seen hospital claiming activity quickly recover following the Federal Government’s lifting of the elective surgery ban. We’ve also seen ancillary claims, such as dental and optical treatment, approaching normal levels due to restrictions easing,” he said
“This is good news for our members, ensuring they’re able to get access to the treatment and maintain their health, when and where needed. And in the months ahead we expect to continue to see our members catch-up the majority of healthcare treatment which may have been temporarily interrupted due to the pandemic.”