Medibank employees walk to London and back with the new Live Better rewards app

For many Australians, the amount of time spent working is negatively impacting their overall health and wellbeing, which is why Medibank is doing more to support its employees.

In April, the new Live Better rewards app was launched with Medibank employees, reflecting Medibank’s commitment to improving its employees’ health and wellbeing, as well as allowing them to feel good in a way that suits them.

More than 1,600 Medibank employees have signed up – forming teams, taking part in challenges, and setting personal goals around the pillars of ‘Eat, Move, Feel’. These categories highlight that health and wellbeing is more than just increasing physical activity, with nutrition and mental health just as important.

The Live Better rewards app will be available to all Australians, with Medibank customers – who hold eligible hospital or extras cover – able to earn rewards.

Medibank customers could enjoy a gift card, savings of $200 on their health cover or get more on their extras like a remedial massage or physio service. Medibank customers could also choose rewards from health and wellbeing partners, as well as earning points by shopping with them.

Medibank Chief Customer Officer David Koczkar said the company is committed to improving the quality of life for all Australians, through empowering customers, businesses, the broader community and its own employees to make better choices about their health.

“As the first users of the Live Better rewards app, our employees have really jumped on board with it,” Mr Koczkar said.

“So far, our team has walked from Melbourne to London and back again nine times (320,000 km), had more than 74,000 glasses of water, done 21 days of meditation, and swapped alcohol for water 1,522 times. We’ve also ridden a bicycle collectively from Melbourne to Singapore (6,331 km).”

Mr Koczkar said the workplace is a captive audience and offers the best opportunity to make a positive impact on health, as well as influence the wellbeing of their family and friends.

“Conditions such as obesity, anxiety and depression don’t disappear when you clock on for the day. The feedback we’re getting from our people is that the app has been a wake-up call on how small changes can be a catalyst for long-term improvement,” he said.

Medibank employees have been encouraged to have outside walking meetings, have shorter meetings, take the stairs instead of the lift, block out time in their diaries for health and wellbeing activities such as in-house meditation sessions, group Pilates, join the running or gardening group and bring healthy lunches and snacks to work.

“There has been a knock-on effect with the Medibank team. It’s exciting seeing the positive impact caring for your own health has on your colleagues. We’re now looking forward to the broader launch of the Live Better rewards app with our 2.8 million Medibank customers.”