Advocating for our members and your business

When the Southern Cross Member Advocacy team successfully advocates on behalf of Southern Cross members in relation to an ACC claim, it’s not just our members like John (above) who benefit – their employers can too. It’s another good reason why it pays to look after your team with a Southern Cross health insurance work scheme.

Watch

To see how the team helped John, watch his video. To see the difference the team made to John’s employer, watch their video.

What is the Southern Cross Member Advocacy team?

Like you, Southern Cross cares about the health and wellbeing of our members. The Southern Cross Member Advocacy team offers a no-cost advocacy service to our members who may have been incorrectly declined cover by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in relation to a personal injury caused by an accident, treatment injury or work-related gradual process injury.

The Southern Cross Member Advocacy team can guide members through the ACC review process, providing knowledge of the system and support, with the goal of having their ACC decline overturned and their personal injury covered by ACC.

Employers benefit from a successful challenge too, because:

• it helps us keep premiums down for members and employers
• employers can often recover funds too, like the cost of additional leave
• employees may be able to access additional entitlements that can help them manage their recovery and return to work sooner.

Accessing ACC entitlements:

Key reimbursable entitlements that a member may receive if covered by ACC that are not covered by a member’s health insurance, such as:

• access to additional treatment and/or rehabilitation funding
• financial support (eg weekly compensation or lump sum payment)
• mobility aids and equipment (eg crutches, wheelchair)
• home help/attendant care and childcare/education support
• medication
• transport costs
• Return to Work programme.
• ACC’s Return to work programme.

It’s good to be aware of ACC’s  return to work programme  which can help individuals recover from an injury and get back to work sooner. These programmes typically involve an occupational therapist who can make recommendations on activities, equipment, changes to a workplace or tasks, or identify areas to ease the person back into their role.

How we work with ACC on behalf of our members – meet John

Our member John Capper is grateful for the help he received with his declined ACC claim from the Southern Cross Member Advocacy team.

To see how the Member Advocacy team can help Southern Cross members, watch John’s short video.

The team produced a great result that made a real difference in his life. James Villanueva, from the Member Advocacy team, walked alongside John, helping him navigate what can feel like a daunting claiming process.

“We are our members’ support crew. We’re with them, giving back and making sure that we’re working with them as their partners in their healthcare journey,” says James Villanueva, Member Advocacy Lead.

If you think you may have been incorrectly declined by ACC, please contact the team at or call 0800 800 181, advocacy@southerncross.co.nz or see our website.