Sydney, 17th October 2021 – Leading life, health and wellbeing specialist, AIA Australia has partnered with Medix Global, an international digital healthcare management company, to create Australia's first personal health mentor and navigation service.
This exclusive partnership will help support Australians take control of their personal health journey, at a time when a record number of people are deferring medical care, ensuring they have access to the best possible medical service.
As Australia grapples with ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns, reduced access to diagnosis and care, this partnership between AIA Australia and Medix aims to provide significant health support to those customers who receive a serious diagnosis, helping them navigate their entire medical journey.
When diagnosed with a serious condition, Personal Health Mentor customers will be supported, from diagnosis through to treatment, by a dedicated case team from Medix including a local personal health mentor doctor and a coordinator nurse. They will have ongoing access to Medix's network of 300 in-house doctors, and over 4,500 local and global medical specialists – all from the comfort and safety of their homes.
Personal Health Mentor customers will receive complete medical assessments, including, as needed, re-evaluation of their condition, referral for additional diagnostic testing, a referral to a specialist doctor, ongoing multi-disciplinary consultations with world-leading specialists, full support and coordination of care, as well as ongoing guidance and the emotional support that is necessary to navigate a serious diagnosis.
Support via the personal health mentor is available across a wide range of conditions including, mental health, cancer, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal (orthopaedic), COVID-19, cancer, liver and kidney diseases, and more.
This unique partnership comes as many Australians are avoiding and delaying medical checks and hospital visits due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Sax Institute1 tracked these indirect effects of the pandemic on the NSW health system during the first wave of the pandemic last year. They discovered that the number of breast-cancer screening had fallen by more than 50 per cent, while face-to-face GP visits were down by 22 per cent.
This important partnership is one of many that reinforces AIA's commitment to support its customers to live healthier, longer, and better lives, at a time when they need it the most.
The CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia and New Zealand, Damien Mu, said the partnership would bring peace of mind to any AIA customer who receives a complex diagnosis.
"We understand that hearing you have a serious health condition can be frightening, stressful and confusing. From hearing the news, to securing a second opinion, understanding all the treatment options, and managing your condition, it can all feel overwhelming," Mu said.
"This psychological burden has further been aggravated by the delay in medical access and support caused by the pandemic.
"This partnership mirrors AIA's commitment to go beyond the traditional insurance business model by becoming an integral part of our customers' health and life journey. The program helps our customers navigate information and equip them to make the right decisions for their own health and future."
"During uncertain times, especially with extended lockdowns in Victoria and NSW, a partnership like this is really going to protect and assist our customers on their health journey – instead of avoiding the hospital or GP, you can use Medix to remotely forge a path back to health," explained Mu.
President and CEO of Medix, Sigal Atzmon said the partnership was a significant step forward in the way medical treatments are managed in Australia.
"The partnership with AIA could not come at a better time with missed check-ups and physicals, delayed medical appointments and therapy sessions, and elective surgeries put on hold. Covid-19 has impacted how people think about and prioritise their health," said Ms Atzmon.
"While the pandemic has made this need even more apparent, when facing a medical condition, people deserve to have the tools they need to make the best decision for them. With the Personal Health Monitor Service, customers will receive comprehensive and personalised guidance and the emotional support to help cope with the journey.
"Our shared goal with AIA is to create a healthier, better protected and more supported nation, Australians deserve navigable, personal, quality-driven and affordable health solutions that are accessible to all, no matter your location, background or socio-economic status."
"It's about empowering individuals with the control and clarity that they need to make the right decisions and to choose the best possible clinical pathway," said Atzmon.
On average, this service has allowed Medix to prevent 55 per cent of its members going through unnecessary medical procedures and treatments. Of Medix' patients, 43 per cent have received a better and more tailored treatment, while 20 per cent were given a more accurate diagnosis.
Medix services are available free of charge to any AIA Australia customers who holds an eligible individual Life Insurance (life, TPD, trauma or income protection) or Health Insurance policy. All services are treated as confidential.
Medix will act as a third-party company to AIA with a sole interest in the AIA customer. Medix has no commercial incentive to change the customer's diagnosis or treatment plan, and their team will work with customers for an initial period of three months, which may be extended based on the customer's medical and mental needs.
ENDS
