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13th June 2011 - Update

Today Christchurch experienced a number of significant aftershocks including a magnitude 5.5 and 6.0.

UniMed continues to operate succesfully at its temporary premises which were unaffected by todays events. Staff were given an opportunity to leave early today to check on their properties and family members.

We will return to business as usual tomorrow morning the 14th June 2011 at 8.00am.

For members wishing to contact our team, please do so by using the following contact details.

- Urgent Prior Approval - please use this link  Urgent Prior Approvals
- Non-Urgent Prior Approval - please use this link  Prior Approvals
- General Claims Enquiry - please use this link  Claims Enquiry
- Accounts Enquiry - please use this link  Accounts Enquiry
- General Enquiry - please use this link  General Enquiry

Update - 12th April 2011
By way of update, we are pleased to advise members that the three week backlog of general medical claims has now been processed and we are back operating within our normal turnaround times of 1-3 days.

As previously advised UniMed’s Head Office and main claims processing facility is within the Christchurch CBD and therefore we have been unable to access our offices to date and it would appear are unlikely to be able to do so for quite some time yet.

We are now established in temporary facilities over three different sites, one just out of the CBD and the other two in Rangiora – being some 30 km from the city and unaffected from either the September or February earthquakes. We anticipate remaining in the temporary facilities for the next 2-3 months while our new temporary but more permanent offices are prepared which in turn will mean all staff are able to be back under the one roof again with its associated efficiency benefits not to mention staff morale. We remain committed to Christchurch and playing our part in the re-establishment of the inner city, be that in a repaired building or a new one as only time will tell.

Unlike insurers of physical property, UniMed has not suffered any claims increase due to the Christchurch earthquakes and we are still expecting a financial performance for the current year ending on 30 June 2011 very much in line with budget predictions. UniMed’s reserves remain industry leading at over 600 days of average claims, well in excess of the new proposed Capital Adequacy Ratios being introduced by Government.

Obviously the past seven weeks has been ‘unsettling’ for UniMed staff but I would like to take the opportunity of thanking the membership in general for their understanding of the temporary delays in processing claims (which are now back to normal turnaround times) and also to the many many members who have rung, emailed and sent cards – it has been truly appreciated by all staff.

Dermot H Martin
Chief Executive

IS ONE OF NEW ZEALAND'S FASTEST GROWING MEDICAL INSURERS


  • We are a 'not for profit' mutual society serving our members.
  • UniMed has been providing affordable quality health insurance since its inception in 1979 and we have a large section of our business in Corporate Schemes.
  • UniMed's Head Office is in Christchurch and we have Branch Offices in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and Invercargill.
  • Our primary objective is to continue our standing as a first class New Zealand 'not for profit' health insurer providing New Zealanders with a comprehensive range of high quality, straight forward medical plans backed up with first class service.