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Private health insurer Southern Cross said yesterday its membership growth in the first six months had nearly doubled the increase in the whole of the previous year.
That was despite an increase in some premiums last year.
Membership grew by 12,756 for the six months ended December 31, compared with total growth for the previous financial year of 7359, chief executive Ian McPherson said.
The increase in new members and lower-than-expected cancellations had brought total membership to 821,125.
That was on a combination of concerns about the public health system such as waiting lists and strikes, Southern Cross's emphasis on membership retention, and products offered, McPherson said.
A low claims reward introduced two years ago also might have had some impact.
- NZPA
