Private health insurance claiming quicker and easier
Medibank Private, Australia's largest Private Health Insurer has unveiled the much anticipated second phase of its online claiming system, ensuring members can now claim their benefits more efficiently.
From 14 February 2007 Medibank Private members who register for online claiming services at medibank.com.au will be able to log in to their own account and claim for certain extras services quickly and hassle-free, with the benefit payment made to the Contributor via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to a nominated bank account.
Submitting claims online is nothing new for Medibank Private members, with the service being available since early 2006. But until now the process was lengthy, with Contributors needing to wait for a cheque to be mailed to them, depositing it with their bank, and then waiting for it to be cleared.
The new system promises to dramatically slash the time between lodging of claims and receipt of cash benefits.
The EFT initiative is the latest development made by Medibank Private to its Online Member Services website, and according to Dean Tillotson, Medibank Private's National Customer Service Manager, it is sure to further enhance the member experience.
"We know that our members want to receive their health insurance benefits as quickly and as simply as possible - and with online claiming this is being achieved.
"Medibank Private is constantly searching for new and smart ways to meet our members' needs, and for many people this means access to sophisticated, online services. We are proud to be a leader in this area," said Mr Tillotson.
Medibank Private first launched Online Member Services in 2005, enabling members to register to carry out many membership-related tasks without needing to visit a retail centre or telephone the fund's call centre.
Since the launch Medibank Private has regularly added new functionality for its members, and now with the online claiming system delivering benefits into a members' bank account, all major membership functions are available, from paying premiums to ordering a new card to changing the membership cover type, as well as access to Medibank's popular Betterhealth and feelbetter rewards programmes
The increase in services available online has been well received by members with Traffic to Medibank Private's Online Member Services up 143% in 2006-07. In the latest Hitwise Australian Online Performance Awards, Medibank Private ranked first in Health and Wellbeing - Health Insurance category, making it the most popular private health insurance website in Australia.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Libby Woolnough - Medibank Private
T. (03) 8622 5181 or 0411 659 060
E: libby_Woolnough@medibank.com.au
