Southern Cross plans to curb premium hikes

An overwhelmed public healthcare system in the wake of Covid-19 is likely behind a big uptick in membership for the Southern Cross Health Society, according to its chief executive, Nick Astwick.

In releasing the not-for-profit’s annual financial results, Astwick reported a 20,000 net increase in membership over the past year, bringing total member numbers to 908,000.

Astwick said it was the insurer’s seventh straight year of growth and the largest membership number in 30 years. Half of the new members joined in the final quarter of the past year.

Astwick says membership growth shows New Zealanders place great value on health insurance, meaning they can access healthcare whenever they need it.