UniMed has announced a series of updates to key policy documents which the insurer says are aimed at improving clarity and understanding for members and advisers.
The company, which has more than140,000 members, says the refresh follows a detailed review of its Conditions of Membership and associated healthcare services lists.
“The review found that some elements would benefit from clearer language, modernised terminology, and the removal of duplicated or outdated information,” it says.
UniMed CEO Lance Walker says the aim is to make its policy information simpler, clearer, and easier for members to navigate.
“These updates bring our policy documents in line with how we operate today and reflect current regulatory expectations, without reducing cover,” he says.
The changes apply to a number of UniMed Health Plans, including over 60,000 policies. It has been 10 years since a review has been done.
The key updates, effective 1 April 2026, are:
Introduction of new Terms and Conditions
The existing Conditions of Membership will be replaced by a new Terms and Conditions document. Key changes include:
- Babies (up to 3 months of age) can be added to policies with no underwriting (previously 30 days)
- Suspension rules have been clarified (minimum membership requirements, timeframes between suspensions) and new suspension options have been introduced
- Modules can now only be removed at the start of the policy year
- General exclusions have been consolidated and simplified, with clearer explanations of what is not covered
- Member responsibilities been updated, including: A new Vulnerable Member section; A new Unacceptable Member Behaviour section; Members’ disclosure responsibilities regarding their policy
- Additional detail has been added relating to ACC, drug cover, reasonable charges, eligibility, and membership rules
- Terminology has been simplified for improved readability
Updated healthcare service lists
UniMed says two existing lists have been replaced with modernised and streamlined versions:
- List of Approved Healthcare Services will replace Approved and Unapproved Surgical Procedures
- List of Unapproved Healthcare Services will replace Unapproved Medical Services and Approved and Unapproved Surgical Procedures
The company says these updates remove duplication, adopt current terminology, and clarify cover. ”UniMed confirms the changes do not reduce cover or introduce new services,” it states.
Advisers can review the new documents here.