Undercurrent - November 2007

Spread the Word - Earn a $50 gift voucher

Private Health Insurance Website

What should I do when I am going to hospital?

Hay Fever

Download Undercurrent - November 2007 (700kb pdf)

Spread the Word – Earn a $50 gift voucher

Spread the Word We believe the best advertisement for Navy Health is you - If you refer a friend to Navy Health (before the 31 January 2008) you will receive a $50 gift voucher*. There are numerous popular retail outlets to choose from.
To receive your voucher, simply tell your friends about Navy Health and when they take out any Hospital cover and remain a member for 2 months, we will contact you to find out which voucher you prefer. There is no limit to how many gift vouchers you can accumulate.
To be eligible, your friend must fill in your name and membership number on their Navy Health application form under the section “How did you hear about us”?
We will send you a confirmation letter to let you know that we have received your referral.

Who is eligible to join Navy Health?

If you would like further information regarding this special offer or the eligibility criteria, please go to Spread the Word or telephone Member Services on 1300 306 289.
* Terms & Conditions apply

Reward your Employees

Let Navy Health help you reward your employees. We offer tailored corporate health covers to eligible civilian organisations that provide contracted services to the Department of Defence. If you would like Navy Health to provide a tailored Health Cover solution for your employees, please call our marketing team on 1300 306 289.

Save the Trees!

At Navy Health we are trying to maximise our environmentally friendliness and one way we can do this is to email Undercurrent to members, rather than posting a hard-copy. If you would like to receive Undercurrent and other non-regulatory pieces of communication via email, please go to Email Registration

Preferred Optical Suppliers

Go to any of Navy Health’s preferred optical suppliers and you can claim an additional 15% of the charge, up to your annual limit and category maximum.
For members with Premium Extras or Top Extras that means you can receive up to 100%* reimbursement, those with Singles/Couples Selection or Budget Extras, could receive up to 75% (Up to annual limits and category limits).

Look out for our preferred suppliers in your area.

Optical Superstore
Budget Eyewear
OPSM
Merringtons

Or go to Preferred Optical Suppliers

Dependent Assist Scheme

Growing up is never easy... but with the Dependent Assist Scheme, Navy Health can help young adults make one of the many moves toward independence a little easier.
Most families with young adults will know that Navy Health provides cover for dependents under the family membership until they reach 22 or 25 if they are studying full-time.
To help with the transition into independent health cover, dependents who have turned 22 and are no longer studying full-time * may apply for the Dependent Assist Scheme. This will allow a young adult to remain under the family Hospital Cover until they turn 25, if they take out their own General Treatment cover within 30 days of their 22nd birthday*.
Go to Dependent Assist Scheme or phone Member Services on 1300 30 6289.

Terms & Conditions apply.

Private Health Insurance Website

Earlier this year the Federal Government launched the new Private Health Insurance website (www.privatehealth.gov.au) to make understanding and comparing private health covers simpler.
All health funds are now required to prepare a standard summary of each of their existing products called a Standard Information Statement (SIS). These SIS’s provide general information on both Hospital and General Treatment covers and are an easy way to understand the numerous variations in coverage that exist.
The website also provides information regarding private health insurance including the Federal Government Rebates, Medicare Levy Surcharge, Lifetime Health Cover and commonly asked questions. To download the SIS of your current Navy Health cover, go to the Private Health Website.

What should I do when I am going to hospital?

Arranging in-patient treatment in a private hospital can be a daunting process and an unnecessary worry at a time when all of your energy should be focused on recovery. By following a few pre-admission guidelines and asking the right questions, Navy Health will be able to assist you with the process and ensure that you have covered all requirements.

Ask your doctor
Before any major treatment in a private hospital you should discuss the procedure with your doctor and ask various questions including the following;
• What are the Medicare numbers for the services and the charge for each?
• Does the doctor participate in Navy Health’s (or Australian Health Services Alliance - AHSA) Gap Cover Scheme and will I be treated under this?
• What out-of-pocket expenses will I incur, if any?
• Are there are any other doctors involved in the procedure and what are their fees?
• Will the doctor(s) provide a written estimate of the costs?
• How will the doctor bill me and when will I have to pay?

Talk to Navy Health
It is imperative that you contact Navy Health with the above information from your doctor before going for treatment as a private patient, so that we can ascertain the following;

The benefits you will receive and how much you are likely to contribute yourself (if any). We can confirm this in writing for you.
The hospital you have chosen does or does not have an agreement with Navy Health (or AHSA), which will impact your out-of-pocket expenses.
Your current situation and level of hospital cover, to ensure you are adequately covered for the procedure. We will also let you know if any excesses or co-payments apply.

After you have spoken to your doctor and Navy Health you are ready to begin preparations for your procedure and admission to hospital. Go to Guidelines and download the Private Patient brochure.

Instant Claims

Tired of filling in forms every time for general treatment such as dental, chiro, optical and physio?
Take your Navy Health membership card to your consultation and claim on the spot!
Many general treatment providers are registered with the electronic claiming service HICAPS. Ask your provider if they accept HICAPS. If so, present your Navy Health membership card after your consultation.
By simply swiping your card through the HICAPS terminal your benefit amount will be calculated instantantly and deducted, leaving you to settle any amount owing (if applicable) and with no need to fill out any paperwork for that claim.
For more information regarding HICAPS or to find out if your provider has HICAPS, go to the HICAPS provider search.

News & Events Desk

HMAS Cerberus Open Day
Navy Health was on display at the HMAS Cerberus (Crib free activities for the whole family, including Navy Divers, Helicopters, Air Displays, Navy Band, Boat Rides and Jumping Castle. Navy Health provided balloons and other giveaways to all the children in attendance.

Inter Command Challenge West
Navy Health was once again proud to be the major sponsor of the RAN Inter Command Challenge on Friday 16 November. The competition saw the two divisions of the Navy (Systems Command and Fleet Command) battle it out in a variety of sports including Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Netball and Touch Football. The competition was close and tight all day with the result eventually being a draw, after Systems Command won the final soccer event.

RAN Rugby Union
In mid-August the RAN Rugby Union team, proudly supported by Navy Health, competed in the Australian Services Rugby Union Championships in Canberra. The men’s team played against the other services – Army and Air Force in two outstanding matches of rugby.
After a narrow defeat against Army being beaten 24 – 21, however turned it around against the Air Force, winning by the narrowest of margins 12 – 11. Unfortunately the defeat against Army cost the Navy any chance of taking the title, after Army defeated Air Force 64 – 0, in the final match of the tournament.
In the women’s competition, the combined Navy/Air Force team showed true team spirit and desire to beat the much fancied Army team 25 – 10. Inter Services Rugby

2006/07 Annual Report
The Navy Health 2006/07 Summary Annual Report will be available from late November. To download your copy, go here.

Christmas & New Years Period

During the Christmas and New Year holidays Navy Health will be closed from 3.30pm (AEST) on Friday 21 December 2007 and reopen at 8.30am (AEST) Wednesday 2 January 2008.
The Navy Health team thank you for support during 2007 and wish you and your family a safe and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to supporting you in 2008.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose. Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne pollens from grasses are at their peak. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. This is known as perennial allergic rhinitis, which is usually caused by a reaction to allergens around the home such as dust mites, moulds or animal hair or fur.

Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of hay fever include:
Sneezing
A runny or stuffy nose
Itchy ears, nose and throat
Red, itchy or watery eyes
Headaches.

In some cases, the symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction
Your nose acts as a filter. The tiny hairs and mucus that line the nasal passages trap dust, pollens and other microscopic particles. A person with hay fever is allergic to some of the particles that get trapped in the nose, such as pollen.
An allergic reaction means the immune system treats a harmless substance as if it were dangerous, and launches an ‘attack’. The nasal passages become inflamed and more mucus is produced.

Reducing hay fever symptoms
Suggestions to prevent or limit symptoms of hay fever include:

Check the pollen count forecast on television or in the newspaper. Try to stay indoors if it’s a high count.
Stay indoors as much as possible in spring, on windy days or after thunderstorms.
In your garden, choose plants that are pollinated by birds or insects, rather than plants that release their seeds into the air.
Replace your lawn with bricked or paved areas.
Smear petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) inside your nose to stop the pollen from touching the lining of your nose.
Splash your eyes often with cold water to flush out any pollen.
Reduce your exposure to dust and dust mites, animals and animal hair or fur (dander).

Medication can help
If you have hay fever, your body produces a substance called histamine, which leads to inflammation (redness and swelling) in the nose.
Some medications may help the symptoms of hay fever. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You may be advised to try:

Corticosteroid nasal sprays – these help reduce the inflammation in the nose, which is the cause of nasal blockage and other symptoms. They need to be used regularly as directed to be effective.
Anti-histamine medications (non-sedating) – these may be useful to control sneezing and itching, but are not as effective as sprays to control a severely blocked or runny nose.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are breastfeeding, as some medications can cause breastfed babies to become irritable and restless.
Eye drops – may relieve itchy, swollen or runny eyes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on choosing the correct eye drops.
Immunotherapy – some people may benefit from immunotherapy, which exposes a person to increasing amounts of an allergen to improve tolerance and reduce symptoms. This therapy may help hay fever and some cases of asthma, but does not help food allergy. It should only be conducted under medical supervision as exposure to allergens can be dangerous and potentially life threatening. Seek advice from your doctor.

Where to get help

Your doctor
Your pharmacist.

Things to remember
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen and is common in spring.
Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs all year round.
Avoiding your triggers is the best way to reduce the frequency of hay fever attacks.
This information was sourced from Better Health Channel.

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