Hamilton adviser aims to get more people covered for health issues

A Hamilton-based risk adviser has established a plan to help get more people covered by medical insurance.

Wednesday, February 1st 2023, 2:18PM

by Kerry Meadows-Bonner

Vahry Insurance has teamed up with the Hamilton Central Business Association to market a collaborative and innovative medical insurance scheme for businesses.

Aimed at businesses with smaller staff numbers, the scheme would provide extensive medical coverage for those businesses where employee numbers would otherwise make them ineligible.

Vahry Insurance managing director Julia Vahry says it’s still early days but is planning on kicking things off strategically with their open day next month.

“It will almost be like a business WOF. That’s really the day we’re going for gold and getting organisations within the CBD to come along and get some physical health checks - we’ll be having a nurse on site to do blood pressure checks.

"We’ve also partnered up with local CBD accountants and they’ll be doing checks with finance and things to help get organisations In the best possible financial position moving forward, because no doubt it will be a tough year ahead for us all.”

Vahry says their open day will help people understand what’s included in a health plan, should they wish to join. Understand how it’s working and how it can benefit them, organisations, staff and the community.

With the impact of illnesses in families and how it affects working lives, Vahry believes in business it’s good to be transparent and understand we are all human.

“It affects everything from parents having to take time off work and spending time in that relentless sick cycle to people dealing minor issues like hip replacements or people with cancers and having to start Go Fund me or Givealittle pages for funding for non Pharmac drugs.

"Those are big levers in terms of whether someone will survive a major illness and get treatment. Everyone deserves that opportunity to live well.”

Vahry Insurance estimates at least 40,000 people can gain access to this scheme and while business owners need to provide it as a work perk for staff, Vahry says once they understand its benefits it can only grow from there.

“There are so many more internal working parts to this scheme too and we’re seeing amazing results with Iwi in Auckland with the medical plans they have running there that are outperforming the public healthcare system in terms of preventative care. In addition, we already have groups outside of Hamilton CBD, especially in Auckland asking how they get in on this.

Tags: insurance