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Good health is the foundation of a fulfilling life. It allows people to cherish their loved ones, thrive in their careers, and enjoy the simple pleasures that make life worthwhile. Yet, concerns about access to quality, affordable healthcare are on the rise.

The 2024 Southern Cross Healthy Futures report highlights that 84% of New Zealanders feel worried about not being able to access the care they need—up 6% from 2022. These concerns make health insurance more valuable than ever, providing not just financial protection but also timely access to care and a proactive approach to staying healthy.

Southern Cross Health Insurance (Southern Cross) supports more than 955,000 New Zealanders with the tools they need to safeguard their wellbeing. More than a policy, it’s an investment in long-term health, providing peace of mind and practical support when it matters most.

Convenience at your fingertips

Balancing family, work, and personal commitments can make accessing healthcare a challenge. Southern Cross helps remove this barrier by providing members with virtual GP consultations with CareHQ free of charge every day from 7am to 7pm when booked through the MySouthernCross app.*

CareHQ is growing in popularity, with more than 50,000 CareHQ appointments delivered to New Zealanders in 2024.

Plan your procedure for a time that suits your life

Timely healthcare can make all the difference in a person’s recovery. Southern Cross members benefit from significantly shorter wait times for treatment compared to the public system, allowing them to focus on getting well sooner.

For Kaitlyn, who had struggled with breathing difficulties for years, this access to care was life changing. Kaitlyn underwent septoplasty surgery and thanks to Southern Cross, could plan her procedure around some major life milestones. “I was able to fit it in around my life schedule, picking dates that were the most convenient. That’s invaluable when you’re planning a wedding and starting a family,” Kaitlyn says.

The nurses and surgical team were professional, compassionate, and made sure Kaitlyn felt at ease every step of the way, playing a key role in her smooth recovery.

“The surgery has given me a new lease on life,” she adds. “The quality of sleep I get now is life-changing, that’s been such a bonus. I wake up feeling refreshed. Surgery has given me a new lease on life.”

At a time when our excellent public health system is under pressure, Southern Cross data demonstrates the positive impact of reduced wait times. A recent NZEIR report commissioned by Southern Cross considering data from 2023 found that Southern Cross members spent on average 49.8 days on a wait list for a hysterectomy compared to the average of 94.7 days spent on a wait list by those accessing surgery via the public system and, on average, 115.7 days less for endometriosis surgery than those on a public wait list. These reduced timeframes mean members can focus on recuperation and quickly get back to live life at their best.

Beyond addressing immediate concerns, Southern Cross data shows that members are proactive about their health, taking advantage of benefits like the annual health check.** These checks have helped alert members to larger, underlying issues, enabling early intervention and better outcomes.

The Affiliated Provider advantage

At the heart of Southern Cross’s ability to deliver a seamless claiming journey, is the Affiliated Provider programme, a network of contracted professionals and facilities offering services at agreed prices. This unique initiative simplifies the healthcare experience for members while helping manage the cost of healthcare.

The claims process is seamless—Affiliated Providers handle prior approvals and lodge claims directly with Southern Cross, helping members avoid unnecessary paperwork and stress. The agreed pricing also ensures members know upfront what their costs will be, avoiding unexpected bills. Finally, by managing claims and keeping costs predictable, the programme supports fair and sustainable premiums for all members.

For Illaina, 34, having this support after discovering she needed spinal surgery was critical. Her required surgery and physiotherapy were fully handled through the Affiliated Provider programme.

Peace of mind for members

One of the most significant benefits of Southern Cross membership is the sense of security it brings. For many, health insurance bridges the gap between financial concerns and recovery, enabling them to focus on what matters most.

“It’s the biggest blessing to watch your family grow,” says Kaitlyn. “These are the prime years of our lives, and I don’t want to miss anything.” Reflecting on the value of health insurance, she says, “It takes away the waiting and worrying.”

Illaina describes the impact Southern Cross had on her recovery. “Having insurance means you don’t have to think about that financial side so you can just be present. When the bills come, you just think – that’s huge. The first one was five figures, and that was just for the hospital. But there wasn’t once where I thought, what are we going to do? I got the care I needed as a mum and a wife.”

This peace of mind is part of the organisation’s broader philosophy. A friendly society, without shareholders to return dividends to, Southern Cross operates with a “for purpose” ethos. In the year to 30 June 2024, Southern Cross returned more than 93% of premiums to members through claims for their healthcare needs, the highest rate among New Zealand health insurers. Compared to the market return of 73%, this equates to $326 million more paid to members in the form of claims than the rest of New Zealand’s health insurance sector would have paid out.***

For Kaitlyn and Ilaina, as well as the thousands of members whose lives have been positively impacted, Southern Cross is not just an insurer. It’s a support system prioritising their health, so they can do what matters most to them.

See Ilaina and Kaitlyn’s stories here

*Subject to changes. Terms and conditions apply.

**A MedPro health check is available to members aged 16 years and over each claims year. Subject to change. Terms and conditions apply.

***$326 million is the difference between the value of total claims paid by Southern Cross Health Insurance at its current 93% loss ratio and the value of total claims Society would have paid if it was paying out at the industry’s average (excluding Southern Cross) loss ratio of 73%. Based on data provided by the Financial Services Council and including an estimate for nib.