Australia’s frontline healthcare workers have worked tirelessly to prepare our health system and help treat patients as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recognition of this and the additional risks frontline healthcare workers have faced during COVID-19, nib is offering eligible members a $250 wellbeing rebate to support their health and wellbeing.

Designed to help those who are supporting local communities to keep healthy, the rebate is available to nib members working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response in Australia.

nib Managing Director, Mark Fitzgibbon said making sure frontline healthcare workers are being looked after in any way possible is critical during this difficult time.

“As a health insurer, we appreciate the huge sacrifices that frontline healthcare workers are making to prepare our health system as well as keep our members and the broader community safe due to this crisis,” said nib Managing Director, Mark Fitzgibbon.

“Our doctors, nurses and paramedics are working long hours in a high stress, elevated risk environment and it’s vital that they stay on top of their own health and wellbeing throughout this crisis,” he added.

nib members who are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a medical practitioner, nurse, nurse and midwife, midwife or paramedic, can receive $250 in nib rewards to access a range of health, wellbeing, retail or food offers to meet their everyday needs.

“We’ve heard from our members who are working in these situations that they are finding it difficult to take the time to take care of their everyday needs, such as visiting the grocery store or buying a pair of trainers while they are on their feet for extended periods,” Mark said.

“As a small token of our appreciation, we wanted to help ease the load by ensuring they can purchase items such as food, active wear, groceries and entertainment, all from the comfort of their own home.”

The offer complements other support measures nib has already announced to help members stay safe and healthy throughout the pandemic. These include:

• Paying benefits for a range of telehealth services including psychology, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech therapy and podiatry
• Expanded coverage for chest, lung, kidney and bladder or other treatment related to COVID- 19 across all levels of hospital cover (including Basic and Bronze where currently excluded)
• Postponement of premium increases due April 1 for at least six months
• Premium relief for members suffering financial hardship as a result of COVID-19
• $1.0 million in community grants and $0.5 million set aside to fund clinical initiatives

It also follows nib’s donation of 100,000 facemasks to doctors in the Hunter, New England and Central Coast Primary Healthcare Network to address the shortage of much needed personal protective equipment.

The frontline healthcare worker offer is available for eligible members until 30 June 2020.