Medibank Health fund to reward members who get a Covid vaccine

Health funds are saving hundreds of millions due to Covid, but only one is rewarding members who get vaccinated.

Exclusive: Members of one of Australia’s largest health funds who get fully vaccinated will get reward points they can use to reduce their premiums or spend on smart watches or sports equipment.

From next month Medibank will provide members of their Live Better rewards scheme with 1000 reward points when they report they have received both Covid jabs.

To receive the reward – which is the equivalent of a $10 voucher – customers must be part of the health fund’s Live Better Rewards Scheme and log their vaccination in the scheme’s app.

Live Better points can be used towards gift cards or products from Medibank partners including Adidas, Amcal, Apple, Brooks, Fitbit and Onsport, the fund said.

Customers can also choose to put the rewards towards lowering their health cover premiums or getting more on their extras like a remedial massage.

“With millions of Australians currently under stay at home orders due to the latest outbreak of COVID-19, it’s clear that getting vaccinated is one of the keys to minimising the need for future lockdowns,” Medibank Chief Executive Officer David Koczkar said.

Medibank CEO David Koczkar. Picture: Supplied

Getting vaccinated not only keeps ourselves safe but also our family, friends and the broader community we live and work in, he said.

“It’s been an incredibly tough 18 months in Australia and the personal and economic toll of this pandemic is heartbreaking. That’s why I would encourage all Australians eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine to join me in getting the jab,” Mr Koczkar said.

The fund is sending information to its members urging them to get vaccinated.

Team members at Medibank’s retail stores are also showing their support for vaccination by wearing a #jabdone badge.

The fund said it was also providing its employees with paid community leave and charity gift vouchers for getting the jab.

Bupa said it was not providing rewards to vaccinated members.

“We are supportive of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and encourage our customers to get vaccinated when they are eligible. Under the community rating system, health insurers are not legally allowed to discount prices based on member health or preventative behaviours,” a spokesperson said.

Health fund HCF said it was neither rewarding nor penalising members by Covid vaccination status and nib said government rules prevented it rewarding people who got the jab.

Nib is not offering rewards for getting vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers

“There will be no impact to a member’s policy or premium if they choose to receive the Covid-19 vaccine or not,” a spokesperson for the nib said.

“This is due to the fact that all health insurers are governed by a Community Rating system whereby regardless of your medical history, age, gender or background, you will be covered for the same treatment as all other members on the same policy,” the nib spokesperson said.

The CEO of health fund HBF john van der Weilen said it was working through whether it could offer rewards to its members.

“Our current focus is on getting HBF staff to make sure they are vaccinated and we have offered time off and are looking at a small incentive,” he said.

“As a company HBF is very supportive of vaccinations and we have been publicly supportive and vocal about this.”