H i F N e w s l e t t e r | A U G U s t 2 0 1 3

Managing Director’s UpdateWelcome to SmartHealth.

HiF brand evolutionSince the last edition of SmartHealth, a lot

has changed at HIF. We’ve refreshed our brand to more accurately reflect the agile, innovative and caring company that HIF is.

Our logo has been modernised with a contemporary font that still reflects the strength and dependability of HIF. Our “active figure” has broken free of the confines of the “H” and the “F” showing freedom and agility.

We’ve also produced new television advertising that is fresh and engaging, and is attractive to our target audience for growth. We did this to grow our members, keep premiums affordable and maintain higher benefits. You can see the ads at hif.com.au and click the YouTube link. We’re really pleased with the

soundtrack, and you can read more about emerging Australian artists, Rainy Day Women, on page 4.

New membership cardsAs a part of our brand refresh, we’re replacing all membership cards bearing the old logo. If you haven’t received a new card yet, you will over the next few months. When you receive your new card please destroy the old one.

introducing new overseas visitor coversHIF has introduced two new overseas visitor covers to cater for younger visitors on non-working visas. Visitor Saver (basic cover) and Visitor Value (mid-range cover) join with our existing Visitor Advantage (top cover - for older visitors) to provide a greater range of HIF health cover choices for people visiting Australia. Visit hif.com.au for more details.

HiF is movingFor many years HIF has been growing its members at double-digit rates, well

above the market growth rates, making us one of Australia’s fastest growing health funds in the industry (34 health funds). Our attraction means that we have out-grown our current premises and we will be moving to new premises in about October this year, just up the road from where we are today. There’s nothing you need to do and we’ll always be there to help you and make your life easier.

this issue of smartHealthRead about our increased dental rebates, changes to the Government rebate on (non-overseas visitor) private health insurance and our new fitness blogger, Brian Killian. You’ll also find a chance to win a surfboard signed by the competitors at the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. And there’s a great recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth “guilt-free” – see the back page.

Graeme Gibson Managing Director

SmartHealth

Australia’s first certified Carbon Neutral health fund.

increase in dental rebates!See inside for details.

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Dental Rebates Increased AgainFrom 1 July 2013, HIF increased almost all dental rebates – some as high as 12.9%.

Over the past year, HIF has monitored dental fees and subsequently made the decision to improve dental rebates.

increased rebates for preventative treatmentsThe maximum amount payable for the most popular preventative SmartTeeth services has increased by an average of 12.9%. Treatments like examinations and scale and cleans are very important to minimise the risk of tooth decay and other more serious health issues, which is why this increase is the highest.

rebates increase for other smartteeth servicesTo further encourage regular dental care, most other treatments covered by SmartTeeth (such as simple fillings) have increase by an average of 6.8%.

what is smartteeth?While hundreds of dental treatment items can be provided by dentists, just 24 items account for more than 75% of HIF members’ claims. Recognising these dental items are more popular with HIF members, an increased rebate arrangement known as SmartTeeth has been put in place.

enjoy rebates up to 100%As rebates for preventive treatments can be up to 100% (up to a maximum amount payable) HIF is encouraging members who haven’t been for a dental check-up this year, to make an appointment today.

Choose your dentistWe do not penalise members with lower rebates if they choose a dentist which is not on a list of approved dentists or contracted suppliers. As long as a dentist is legally qualified to practice in Australia, HIF will pay the same great rebates.

Free HIF Second OpinionMembers with GoldStar Hospital + Premium Options Extras cover have FREE access to a global network of leading medical specialists to get a second opinion on any medical diagnosis, condition or treatment. To find out more visit hif.com.au/so

We periodically review member rebates to ensure ongoing

value for money for members.

HiF members love their petsAustralians have 38 million pets and according to researchers IBISWorld, we spent around $7.9 billion on them in 2010. While Australian society has seen many changes in recent years, the value Australians place on their relationships with their pets remains constant.

Pets are part of the family in 63% of Australian households, providing benefits to their owners and the communities. So what are the health benefits of owning a pet?

• They can strengthen a family unit

• Reduce your stress levels

• Provide you with company andsupport

• Lower your blood pressure

• Keep you active

HIF members love their pets so much, that HIF has introduced pet profile in SmartHealth. The first pet profile will be by the star of our new HIF ads. If you’d like your pet to be profiled#, just email us at marketing.promos@hif.com.au

Pet Profile by HIF Business Development Manager Anne Humphrey

What’s your name? Alfie.

What’s your breed? Labradoodle with a touch of Cavalier.

How old are you? Nearly 4.

What’s your claim to fame? I star in the new HIF’s ads.

What’s your favourite food? Surprise doggie chocs at the bottom of a bowl of pet milk.

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend? Go visit the horses on my friend Max’s property (he’s an Australian Shepherd). I like to chase the horses, play with Max and roll in horse manure. I also love swimming in the river and playing with my best buddy Jasper.

New Addition to HiF’s Healthy lifestyle BlogExciting news! We’re delighted to welcome fitness expert Brian Killian, principal of bnatural, as a new addition to our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, providing regular articles crammed full of health information, exercise tips and lots more.

About BrianBrian has over 25 years experience in the fitness industry educating, inspiring and motivating people to be the best they can be,

physically and mentally, and has worked alongside Olympians, AFL players, Australian cricketers and politicians.

With years of his own training experience as a professional athlete, and his effort to add variety and fun to exercise, Brain is well known for his non-conventional, but highly effective fitness programming. His mission is simple – “to cut through all the misinformation presented on health and provide honest, straightforward advice which everyone can follow”.

To add to Brian’s impressive resume, he also works as a Fitness coach alongside the world renowned Jon Gabriel, best-selling author of ‘The Gabriel Method’.

Visit hif.com.au now to view Brian’s entire library of articles for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog.

You can even ask Brian a question which will be answered in a future article!

What do you like most about being a fitness expert?I love seeing the change in people and to know in a small way I’ve helped them better themselves.

If you were not a fitness expert what would you be?I was a firefighter for a few years until I ‘retired’ to concentrate full time on my business. I loved the job but I’m definitely a better coach than a firefighter.

What is most important to you?Looking after my family is first no doubt, but making a positive difference to people’s lives is too. I truly believe in people’s potential and love helping them discover it.

Your mantra in life is…Your motion creates your emotion.

My favourite work out is…I love being outdoors and the beach is where I’m most happy. Sprints, swimming, body weight work outs

can all be done at the beach and all you need is a towel.

In your spare time what do you like to do?I have 3 kids and a wife so I like to spend my spare time with them. We love the beach, going to movies, and with a 2 year old there’s a fair bit of playground time too.

My favourite healthy food is…An apple - I have loved them since I was a kid and have eaten them daily since I can remember.

Your friends say you are…Friendly, fun, chatty and passionate.

Your top three fitness tips are… Do something you enjoy

Don’t judge yourself against others

Listen to your body

Tell us something interesting that no-one else would know about you…I have a love for classical music. I can’t get enough of it.

UsefUl links:

hif.com.au

thegabrielmethod.com

bnatural.com.au

Quick Q&A with Brian

*Sources: ABS Data and Scott Pape, Barefoot Investor. #Pet must be owned by an HIF member and profiles will be chosen at HIF Management’s discretion 3

rainy Day womenChannelling summer with a partiality to the sunny West Coast, these five fellows could not be further from their moniker. With a knack for melody and sundrenched ditties reminiscent of The Beach Boys and Fleetwood Mac, Rainy Day Women make bright savvy music of the pop variety.

Four fifths of the band grew up together in Perth’s southern suburbs and all have been involved in bands since their early high school years. Singer/songwriter Dylan Ollivierre formed Rainy Day Women in mid 2011, and the band played their first gig at the WAMi (West Australian Music Industry Assoc) Festival.

Following this encouraging start, the band was nominated for “Most Promising New Act” and “2012 Breakthrough Act” at the 2012 WAMi Awards, and late last year they were tangibly rewarded for their efforts with debut single

Sleigh Bed, as it took out the coveted WAM Song Of The Year Award grand prize.

So far, this year has seen Rainy Day Women play major music festivals Southbound, Big Day Out and Laneway, as well as complete their own national tour in support of their second EP release Friends – the title track of which appears on the new HIF ads. Friends was recorded with producer Andy Lawson (Eskimo Joe, End Of Fashion), and after enjoying a lengthy spot on high rotation at triple j, has just come in as “3rd most played track for 2013” on the national youth broadcaster’s digital radio station.

The band is set for a busy rest of the year, with a new single soon to be released, and a September national tour announcement coming soon…

ThomAs AllIson Bass

JAson henRy Keys/Percussion

Ross PIckeRsgIll Guitar

DylAn ollIvIeRRe Vocals/Guitar

DAnIel henRy Drums

Photography: Daniel James Grant

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The Australian Federal Government pays a rebate towards private health insurance. The rebate is a means-tested^ contribution towards health insurance premiums. Regrettably, the Government has just passed legislation which is likely to impact the majority of Australians who have private health insurance.

There are two parts to this legislative change:

1. Removal of the rebate on lifetimehealth cover loading.

2. Indexing of the rebate to theconsumer price index (CPI)*.

removal of the rebate on lifetime health cover loadingFrom 1 July 2013 the rebate no longer applies to the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading component of hospital cover premiums.

This change means around 14% of all Australian who hold hospital cover will now have to pay more towards their health cover to make up for the short-fall in their rebate.

If you were affected by this change we would have advised you last month of the impact on your contributions.

What is Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading?

The LHC loading was introduced by the Government to encourage

Australians to take up private hospital cover at a younger age. It is charged as a 2% loading on top of your HIF hospital cover premium for each year you’re aged over 30 up to a maximum of 70%, so the earlier you take out health insurance cover, the cheaper your premiums are.

If you are currently paying the LHC loading, the good news is that it is removed after 10 years of continuous private hospital cover.

indexing the rebate means you may pay more for your health cover next yearFrom April 2014, the Government is cutting the link between the amount of the rebate and the premiums paid by members. Each year as premiums increase to cover the rising cost of healthcare, the government will only put the rebate up by a maximum of CPI*.

Unfortunately the increase in the cost of healthcare in Australia is more than double CPI. This is due in part to our ageing population but more importantly it’s the development of continually improving diagnosis, treatments and medication which improve the quality of life of Australians of all ages.

What does this mean to you?

Given the rate of increase in healthcare costs it’s likely that

some health covers will need to rise by more than CPI in order to be able to pay the expected claims. As the rebate will only be paid on a CPI increase, the amount you pay towards your health cover will increase.

For example, Bruce has a single policy which costs $1,000 pa. He has an annual income of $70,000 and is therefore entitled to a 30% (means-tested) rebate.

Bruce’s health cover premiums increase by 5% to $1,050 per year and he would have normally expected to receive a 30% rebate of $315. However CPI was only 2.5% which takes the premium that the rebate is calculated on to $1,025. Bruce now gets $307.50 (30% of $1,025) which is $7.50 less than the current arrangement.

What can you do about it?

HIF, through the main industry association Private HealthCare Australia has been lobbying to retain rebates for all members. Whilst this legislation was passed by the Senate in June this year, at least one major political party has stated it intends to reverse and restore the Private Health Insurance Rebate.

If this is a concern to you, we encourage you to talk to your preferred electoral candidate and ask their position on this important issue.

Changes to the rebate on Private Health insurance

^Means testing is a method where eligibility for government benefits is determined by income levels. For the rebate, it means that if your income is over the defined levels, the amount of rebate you receive is reduced or stopped completely.

*CPI is designed to provide a general measure of price inflation for the households. The simplest way of thinking about the CPI is to imagine a basket of goods and services comprising items bought by Australian households. Now imagine the basket is purchased each quarter. As prices change from one quarter to the next, so too will the total price of the basket. The CPI is simply a measure of the changes in the price of this fixed basket as the prices of items in it change. 5

HIF Privacy PolicyKeeping your personal information private and confidential is important to us. However, this information may be used by us or disclosed to a  third party, including a Government Agency or a person contracted to HIF, to inter alia assist us manage claims (including auditing) and ensure the interests of HIF members are preserved. Go to hif.com.au for a full copy of HIF’s Privacy Policy.

Telephone: 1300 13 40 60 | Fax: 08 9328 3345 | Web: hif.com.au | Email: info@hif.com.au

Bliss BallsFor a great “guilt-free” sweet treat, that is also high in protein, try one of our members’ recipe for Bliss Balls.

ingredients• 1/2 cup almonds (raw for healthier, roasted for yummier)

• 1/2 cup cashews (as above)

• 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/2 cup sultanas

• A few drops vanilla essence

• 1 cup pitted dates (you may need a few more if the mixture doesn’t hold together when you roll it)

• 2 tablespoon of cacao powder or good cocoa or 1 heaped teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• Optional – a handful of goji berries and a handful dried blueberries

• Coconut to roll the balls in

MethodBlend all ingredients together in a blender/food processor/thermomix. With wet hands roll into balls about 2-3cm in diameter and then roll into coconut. Refrigerate. Yum! 

We would also love to publish your recipes too, so if you have one you think our readers might enjoy, please send your recipe with your name and member number to marketing.promos@hif.com.au or via our web site.

win a surfboard signed by the winner and other top surfers!

Terms and conditions Competition will be drawn on Monday 2 September 2013 at HIF head office (Stirling street, Perth WA). The winner must be a current financial member of HIF and a current Australian resident at the time of the draw. The prize is not transferrable for cash or goods. HIF Directors and staff are not eligible to enter.

To be in the running to win this fabulous prize, tell us in 25 words or less where your favourite place in the world to surf would be. Don’t forget to include your name and member number and send your entries to marketing.promos@hif.com.au Competition closes at 5pm (WST), Friday 30 August 2013. Good luck!

HIF has been a proud supporter of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro since 2010 and in 2013 it became the first women’s Australian Surfing Professionals (ASP) prime rated event. The event was also the second stop out of eight on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour.

HIF has a signed surfboard to give away from the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro with signatures from:

•Dusty Payne (winner of the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro)

• Josh Kerr (second place in the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and winner of the 2010 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro)

•Adriano De Souza

•Nathan Hedge

•Torrey Meister

•Jay ‘Bottle’ Thompson

•Kiron Jabour

•Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan

•Adam Melling

•Jake Patterson

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