Insurer offers preventative screenings

Insurer offers preventative screenings to shift focus to proactive treatment

Sovereign has launched a new health insurance product, Private Health Plus*, giving Kiwis the opportunity to proactively manage their health through routine screening.

Introduced to encourage New Zealanders to adopt a more proactive approach to managing their health, Sovereign’s Private Health Plus includes cover for the screening of some of the country’s most prevalent forms of cancer, including breast, skin, bowel and cervical.

Sovereign's Chief Medical Officer, Dr John Mayhew, says screening is an important health measure that assists in the detection and treatment of health problems, in particular cancer.

“Most people tend to think of health insurance as something that will help us only when we get sick, or need specialist treatment. But we actively advocate Kiwis use their health cover before they really need it by taking advantage of the screening benefit.”

“Screening is for people who are, as far as they know, completely well. It is one of the most important steps we can take to look after our future health. If detected early, people may be offered treatment to halt the spread of serious illness.”

With Breast Cancer Awareness month returning this October, Dr John Mayhew welcomes further discussion and awareness around the importance of screenings.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women - we know that early detection and treatment improves long-term survival.”[1]

According to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, New Zealand women have a 95% chance of surviving breast cancer for five years or longer if their cancer is detected through screening.[2]

Should a diagnosis of cancer be made as a result of screening, Sovereign Private Health Plus covers cancer care at every stage including diagnostic imaging and tests, surgery, chemotherapy with non-Pharmac approved drugs, prostate brachytherapy, and breast reconstruction. It also provides $500 per year towards post-cancer care treatment such as nutritional advice, wigs and other support items.

* Private Health Plus provides all the benefits of Private Health Cover plus up to $100,000 p.a. for diagnostic imaging and tests. With Private Health Plus, clients enjoy extra loyalty benefits such as $750 p.a. contribution to pregnancy, maternity or infertility care after three years, and $500 for client’s choice of health screening every three years, after three years.

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