Rating based on 8 reviews

UniMed

Updated
  • Affordable Health Cover
  • Smart Claim
  • Instant Quote Calculator

Table of Contents


UniMed homepage
Author UniMed. Screenshot of UniMed website.
[Accessed August 23, 2023]

About UniMed

Accuro health insurance is a non-profit collaborative that has been dedicated to promoting the well-being of New Zealanders since 1971.

As a 100% New Zealand-owned organisation, they’ve prioritised simplicity, proactivity, and transparency in their health insurance offerings.

By communicating with you in clear language, they ensure that they’re actively involved in your health insurance journey, receiving comprehensive support before, during, and after any medical concerns or treatments arise.

The power of health insurance: Protecting your health and finances

Health insurance provides numerous benefits that contribute to the overall well-being and financial security of you and your family. Firstly, it offers access to a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospitalisations, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and prescription medications, ensuring that necessary healthcare needs are met.

Health insurance also helps mitigate the financial burden associated with medical expenses by covering a significant portion or all of the costs, protecting you from unexpected and potentially high healthcare bills.

Health insurance promotes preventive care and early detection of illnesses through regular check-ups and screenings, leading to better overall health outcomes.

It provides peace of mind, knowing that you’re prepared for unforeseen health issues or emergencies, and can receive timely and appropriate medical care without incurring exorbitant costs.

Ultimately, health insurance empowers you to prioritise your health, receive prompt treatment, and maintain your well-being while safeguarding your financial stability.

Unparalleled expertise

Over 50% of their members are healthcare professionals

Initially established to provide extensive coverage to healthcare professionals in New Zealand's hospitals, Accuro’s become known as the go-to insurer for the health sector. More than half of their members come from within the healthcare industry, recognising their expertise in the field of health insurance.

Accuro's genuine and transparent approach to health insurance

Looking ahead, they understand that being the largest is not synonymous with being the best. Instead, they believe that true excellence lies in their ability to promptly respond to your needs. They place you at the core of their operations, striving to maintain genuine, transparent, and active engagement with you.

Accuro's journey from primary care to major medical

  1. In 1993, they introduced the Advanced plan, offering primary care coverage for everyday health expenses at a cost ranging from $2.80 to $9.35 per week.
  2. Starting in 1994, they established a long-standing partnership with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), leading to the endorsement and promotion of their products. This partnership included one year of free primary health insurance for nurses and district health board staff.
  3. In the same year, they launched their first hospital and surgical plan through collaborations with National Insurance Life and Health (later known as Tower Insurance) and Crombie Lockwood Financial Services.
  4. In 1997, Accuro made its first group health insurance sale, expanding its membership beyond the healthcare sector and becoming the preferred health benefits provider for the Christchurch Polytechnic.
  5. In 2001, they made a significant change by halting the use of intermediaries and launching their own hospital and surgical plan called Major Medical.
  6. As it expanded its membership beyond the healthcare sector, the organisation rebranded as Accuro in 2007, reflecting its commitment to taking care of your welfare and well-being.
  7. They’ve been an innovative insurer, introducing non-smoker and healthy weight discounts in 2007 and offering online quotes, applications, and instant online cover through the HUGO underwriting platform.
  8. In 2018, they launched Active Benefits, providing free initiatives such as access to medical experts and second opinions through Best Doctors, an online Health Hub with health support resources, and a mental health tool for quick diagnosis and professional support.

UniMed Services

Accuro understands the importance of maintaining good health for you and your family.

That's why they offer a comprehensive range of services under their SmartCare product line, which has been highly rated by their customers. Whether you prioritise individual coverage or prefer a more customisable plan, they have options to suit your needs and budget.

Accuro’s SmartCare+ and SmartCare health insurance products summarised

SmartCare+

SmartCare+ is their top-rated individual health insurance product designed for those who prioritise their health. It offers a wide range of benefits to ensure you receive the best care possible.

Included in the base plan of SmartCare+ are:

  • Hospital and surgical base plan: Get coverage of up to $ 500,000 annually for general surgery and private hospital medical admissions of up to $ 300,000 annually.
  • Non-PHARMAC subsidised drugs: Access medications that may not be covered by the PHARMAC subsidy.
  • Accuro virtual clinic: Enjoy the convenience of virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.

SmartCare+ offers optional plans such as the Specialist plan, Dental and Optical plan, GP plan, and Natural health plan. These additional plans provide coverage for specialised consultations, dental and optical treatments, general practitioner visits, and holistic healthcare services like osteopathy and nutrition.

SmartCare

SmartCare is a lower-cost alternative to SmartCare+ that still offers comprehensive health insurance coverage. It retains most of the key benefits while being more budget-friendly.

Included in the base plan of SmartCare are:

  • Hospital and surgical base plan: Receive coverage for general surgery of up to $ 300,000 annually and private hospital medical admissions of up to $ 200,000 annually.
  • Accuro virtual clinic: Access virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.

Similar to SmartCare+, SmartCare also offers optional plans, including the Specialist plan, Dental and Optical plan, GP plan, and Natural Health plan, allowing you to customise your coverage according to your needs.

Affordable and comprehensive health insurance plans

Retaining key benefits at a budget-friendly price with the Hospital and Surgical base plans

Everyone's healthcare needs and budgets are different. With Accuro’s customisable cover, you can start with the Hospital and Surgical base plan and tailor your solution by adding one or more of their additional plans.

The Hospital and Surgical base plan provides coverage of up to $ 500,000 for surgery and up to $ 300,000 for private medical admissions. This base plan forms the foundation of your health insurance coverage, and you can then select from their optional plans to further enhance your policy.

KidSmart: Tailored health insurance for kids - Gift them protection, without needing it yourself

Introducing KidSmart, a specialised health insurance product exclusively designed for babies and children residing in New Zealand. With KidSmart, you can secure health insurance for your children, grandchildren, or dependents, even if you don't have insurance for yourself.

The base plan of KidSmart encompasses a wide range of coverage, including hospital and surgical expenses, general surgery, major diagnostic procedures, oral surgery, and non-PHARMAC subsidised drugs. To further tailor the coverage to your specific needs, optional plans like the Specialist plan are available, granting access to private tests and specialist consultations.

Starting with the hospital and surgical base plan, customers have the flexibility to add optional plans and create a personalised and comprehensive coverage solution. KidSmart is open to applications for New Zealand citizens or resident children at any time before they reach the age of 18.

Join Accuro with confidence: 14 Days to reevaluate your decision

When you join Accuro health insurance, you have a 14-day free-look period. If you change your mind during this period and haven't submitted a claim for anyone covered on the policy, they'll refund any premiums you've paid.

UniMed – Health insurance

  • Product Health Insurance
  • Health Insurance
    Allocates more funds toward work health insurance claims, ensuring members receive maximum benefits.
  • Medical Expenses
    Covers a wide range of medical expenses, including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, cancer treatment, surgical procedures, and more.

Benefits of UniMed

  • Maintains one of the highest percentages of claims paid among major insurers
  • Established in 1979, UniMed has a long-standing reputation as a leading health insurance provider
  • Holds an A- financial rating from AM Best, ensuring stability and reliability
  • Offers a range of health insurance plans tailored to various needs
  • Provides coverage for pre-existing medical conditions without requiring a detailed medical history
  • Offers an easy application process with multiple submission options

Empower your well-being: Discover the Accuro health insurance difference

  1. Navigate to the Accuro website and locate the health insurance section. There you can decide on the most suitable package and tailor it with additional options for fully customised health insurance.
  2. Once you’ve selected the cover that suits your needs best, you can click on the get a quote button to be navigated to the quote request page.
  3. Complete the form with all the necessary information. This will typically include things like your name, age, contact information, and any health-related information. Accuracy when completing the form is important for an accurate health insurance quote.
  4. When you’re done you can submit your quote. Accuro will review your quote and generate a personalised quote based on the information you provided.  
  5. Evaluate the information provided in the quote to determine whether Accuro's health insurance plan aligns with your requirements. Consider factors such as coverage, cost, reputation, and customer reviews when making your decision.
  6. Should you be happy with the quote provided, you can complete an application form and submit it to Accuro.
  7. Your application will be reviewed and a contract outlining your coverage, payments, and policy conditions will be sent to you to sign. After you send them the signed contract, you’ll start enjoying the benefits offered in the package you decided on.  

It’s important to review the full policy details, terms, and conditions provided by Accuro to make an informed decision about your health insurance coverage.

Claim or pre-approval: There are two ways to claim for a procedure or medical treatment:

  1. Request pre-approval: If you haven't had the procedure yet or if it meets certain criteria (costing $ 1,000 or more, requiring hospitalisation, or needing confirmation of coverage), apply for pre-approval before the procedure.
  2. Submit a claim: If the procedure or treatment has already taken place, submit a claim.

Pre-approval requests: Enjoy quick response times

To obtain pre-approval, simply provide an estimate of costs, a copy of the doctor's referral or specialist's letter explaining the treatment's necessity, and, if applicable, a completed medical report form (for policies less than 5 years old). Email all the required information and forms to the claims department with "Pre-Approval" in the subject line.

Making a claim: It's easy to make a claim

If you need to claim for a procedure or treatment that has already taken place, send copies of all invoices and receipts related to the procedure or treatment. For claims falling under the surgical or specialist plan, include a copy of the GP referral letter or a letter from the specialist. If necessary, complete the medical report form.

Declined claims: Understand the process

If your pre-approval or claim is declined, don't worry. Accuro will provide a letter explaining the reason behind the decision. If you disagree with the outcome and wish to have the decision reviewed, follow the four-step complaints process.

The power of the medical report: Unveiling its benefits

Claim confirmation

Once you receive an automated response acknowledging the receipt of your email, rest assured that your claim is in the process of being assessed. Following up on the claim won't speed up the assessment process.

Medical report

In some cases, completing a medical report form with the assistance of your GP may be necessary for your claim or pre-approval.

Unlocking the Potential of a Second Opinion: Your Guide to Well-Informed Medical Choices

Processing times

They strive to process pre-approvals within three to five working days after receiving all the required information. Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation letter via post or email. Please ensure that your premium payments are up to date to receive payments from Accuro.

Second opinion service

As a valued Accuro member, you have access to a valuable second opinion service provided by Teladoc Health. This service offers independent and confidential medical expertise, free of charge, to assist you in making well-informed decisions about your diagnosis or treatment plan.

UniMed Contact

Contact Number

E-Mail

  • not available

Website

Physical Address

  • 165 Gloucester Street Christchurch Central City Christchurch 8011 New Zealand
  • Get Directions

Opening Hours

  • Monday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Tuesday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Wednesday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Thursday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Friday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday – Closed
  • Sunday – Closed