This was posted 2 years 5 months 4 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

Related
  • expired

BUPA to Return Cash Back to Qualified Members Due to COVID (Need to Update Bank Account Details)

3770
BUPA to Return Cash Back to Qualified Members Due to COVID (Need to Update Bank Account Details)
Go to Deal
Cashback
edisonAU on 23/11/2021 - 13:40 media.bupa.com.au (4616 clicks)
Last edited 23/11/2021 - 15:17 by 1 other user

I don't even know if this constitutes a deal or not, so admin feels free to move to Forums if required. But just thought it would be good to let everyone know to check their emails and update their bank accounts for the money.

TL;DR: BUPA is paying customers who had private health cover (excluding Overseas Visitors Cover, Overseas Student Health Cover and Ambulance Only policies) with Bupa for a minimum of three months at any stage between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. You will need to update bank account details if required. I was offered $80.

UPDATE: The update bank account details goes to the following link if anyone questions it …
https://my.bupa.com.au/give-back-form?s_cid=eml:PHI:DCL:edm:…

Longer Version: I got the email below from BUPA today.

Dear edisonAU,

As part of our ongoing commitment to support you and our community through the pandemic, we’re returning $120 million in COVID-19 savings to our customers.

As you know, access to some health services and treatments has been limited due to government restrictions. This has resulted in COVID-19 savings, which we’re now returning to you.

This brings our COVID-19 support for customers to more than $315 million.

What do you need to do?

We’d like to pay you $80 <or a different amount depending on customer>, but we don’t have your bank account details to make the payment.

You can update your bank details securely and easily online. Alternatively, you can also call us on 1300 135 623 to enter your bank details.

<Link to Update your details here>

Your payment is based on your level of cover (e.g. single, couple or family) and the type of cover you held with us (Hospital and/or Extras) during the eligibility period.

We’ll be providing payments to customers who had private health cover (excluding Overseas Visitors Cover, Overseas Student Health Cover and Ambulance Only policies) with Bupa for a minimum of three months at any stage between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.

We’re here to help

We know that COVID-19 is not behind us yet, and we’re closely monitoring the ongoing impacts across Australia to see what additional customer and community support we can provide.

Visit bupa.com.au/covid19 to see how we can further support you during this time.

Please look after yourselves and your families during this time.

Thanks for choosing Bupa and take care,

Referral Links

Referral: random (243)

Referrer gets $100 Prezzee e-gift card. Refer a Colleague program only eligible at a participating Bupa Health Insurance Retail Store nationally and/or Australia Sales and Customer Service support line. Quote member number from the referral system.

Financial Cashback Health Insurance Insurance

Related Stores

Bupa
Bupa

closed Comments

  • Schmiddler on 23/11/2021 - 15:11
    +16

    For anyone unsure, I logged in to the BUPA website and accessed the link through my BUPA inbox to make sure it wasn't a phishing scam. All legit.

    • samwisethebrave05 on 23/11/2021 - 15:23
      +5

      Just did this as well. I didn't recall getting an email from them like this, however when I logged into the my BUPA page, there was a message from them saying they were sending me $55. This is all legit.

  • mouski on 23/11/2021 - 13:45

    This seems a little off - they have been paying my benefits to my bank account on file but I got the same email ($110 though) asking for my details as well - but the links all seem to check out fine etc.

    • mouski on 23/11/2021 - 13:51
      +3

      Can confirm its legit.
      Rang their number on the website and it gives you a prompt about if you're calling about this email - follow the prompts to confirm or enter new bank details etc.

    • freefall101 on 23/11/2021 - 14:54
      +24

      I used to work in the finance systems team at Bupa, I assume it's because the billing system and claim system are segregated for privacy reasons, grabbing data from the claims system to put into the billing system is a huge no-no in terms of privacy requirements in the health insurance industry, even if it is to give you a lump of cash.

      Pushing a refund through the claims system would be a nightmare from a regulatory standpoint. Refunding a credit card transaction wouldn't have worked properly either without a clear transaction to refund. Doing a credit on the account would have been easier (reduce future bills) but likely not what customers want (it assumes you'll stay with Bupa). Refund is the right move but they need an account to put it into outside of the claims system.

      I have no idea on these emails themselves but I'm not a fan of links to fix up details, it should have been "go to your bupa portal and update your info, or call us on blah blah blah".

    • Mr Frodo on 24/11/2021 - 01:37

      As freefall said above, it's for privacy reasons. These corps cannot use customer's private info like the bank account details for purposes other than what they were originally obtained for.

  • jv on 23/11/2021 - 13:46
    -8

    We’d like to pay you $80 <or a different amount depending on customer>, but we don’t have your bank account details to make the payment.

    Sounds like a scam…

    • Coppermelt on 23/11/2021 - 14:23

      nope. can confirm also

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 23/11/2021 - 15:30
      +2

      Sounds like a scam…

      Public health insurance sure is a scam.

      • jv on 23/11/2021 - 15:31
        +4

        BUPA is private

        • Lord Fart Bucket on 23/11/2021 - 17:57
          +1

          Teaches me not to respond too quick.

          Meant private. Thanks for the rebuke.

  • mtwini09 on 23/11/2021 - 13:47
    +1

    I also got this email and immediately thought scam. Can anybody verify for sure? Just not willing to give any details away to an email…

  • sparshrohatgi on 23/11/2021 - 13:50

    I called Bupa and they have said that they would be returning some amount and will share more details soon on the process.

  • Hithere on 23/11/2021 - 13:50
    +3

    06October2021
    Bupa customers to receive $120 million cash back in COVID savings, bringing total support to $315 million

    https://media.bupa.com.au/bupa-customers-to-receive-120-mill…

  • 3jidaddy on 23/11/2021 - 13:50
    +3

    I am with Bupa for a long time but didn't get this email. Perhaps targeted?

    • sparshrohatgi on 23/11/2021 - 13:51
      +1

      Check the inbox of your Bupa account when you login there

      • m2000 on 23/11/2021 - 15:53
        +1

        Actually log in

        email subject : 2021 - Deferred Claims Liability [PDF] 67KB
        BUT I do not need to do anything (for me)

        What do you need to do?
        You don’t need to do anything. We’ll be paying you $55, into the same bank account we use to pay the benefits from your claims ending in **

      • 3jidaddy on 23/11/2021 - 16:40

        Thanks. checked my inbox. I will be getting $110

    • jv on 23/11/2021 - 14:27
      -3

      First, you need to send them your email address, then they send you an email for you to send them your bank details…

      (it's in the fine print of the refund details…)

  • Agent Q on 23/11/2021 - 13:54
    +1

    Best to go into the BUPA portal and check. I wouldn't be updating any links via an email received. However I have correspondence from BUPA offering $110 into my bank. It references the link of myBupa.com.au/give-back-form

    The date of my letter is actually forward dated to 3 December 2021.

  • RenVilo on 23/11/2021 - 13:58

    I can confirm that I got a notification via the Bupa Inbox stating I'm getting $110… This seems to be dependent on your policy. I have 2 adults and 2 children on mine.

    • folken on 23/11/2021 - 18:11

      Same

  • SwedishChef on 23/11/2021 - 14:02
    +3

    HBF did the same thing earlier this year, those who hadn't provided a nominated bank account received a physical cheque in the mail.

    • mattyman on 23/11/2021 - 16:03

      Can confirm.

  • akula on 23/11/2021 - 14:04
    +1

    Anybody getting BSB not found error ?

    • jerry28 on 23/11/2021 - 14:10

      Yep, same issue

    • Kapitoshka on 23/11/2021 - 14:24

      Didn't work in Chrome, work in other browsers.

      • BaeSuzy on 23/11/2021 - 14:47

        not working firefox, but worked in chrome

    • whatisk on 23/11/2021 - 15:26

      Had the same. Didn't even think of trying another browser (was using Chrome). Been having more and more issues with websites and Chrome lately. Could be time to move on.

      I ended up calling and doing it over the phone.

  • areustillpretty on 23/11/2021 - 14:05

    I'm getting $110 too. If you haven't received an email, check your Bupa account inbox.

  • screensaver on 23/11/2021 - 14:05

    I just checked my membership history, looks like I was a member for just under 3 months in that time, (by a couple of days). I am moving back in December because they have 6 weeks free

  • appleosprey on 23/11/2021 - 14:11

    Sounds like Bupa are very caring of their customers. I am on Mediwank top hospital and extras and they offered a few dollars. Was very dismal. I tried to pause my extras cover during melbourne lockdowns and was never able to if I did I would have to sit out waiting periods once recommenced. They would have made a fortune on extras covers as anything non essential didn’t occur during lockdowns.

    • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 14:46
      +1

      Well, if you're with a corporate health insurance fund and complaining about poor value, what do you expect? The Medibank profit went to their shareholders, not customers.
      But in any given year, the top mutuals pay back around 95% of premiums to their members, the corporates are around 80%, with the difference spent on advertising and dividends. The only reason to be with Medibank, AHM, etc… is if you like getting ripped off. Time to switch.

      • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 16:10

        Medibank and Bupa around 85% of premiums go to members claims. Mutual funds would be around 90% max as they don’t have economies of scale and aren’t as efficient. Also the bigger funds tend to have better commercial terms with hospitals and have bigger members networks so end up actually being cheaper a lot of times.

        • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 16:39

          Nope, the better managed mutuals are in the realm of 90-95%. Most are 85%+, but there are definitely too many and mergers are needed.
          The corporate funds are 80-85%. Medibank was one of the better funds before it was privatised, now it's trash (it's ~30% more expensive than my mutual for the same level of coverage). Profits are at record highs though.

          • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 17:58

            @iseeyou1312: Where are you getting 90-95% from? Your link doesn’t support this. Most have much higher management expense ratio .

            Also very unlikely there is 30% cost differential in same coverage for any of the funds, unless a very niche one with very specific demographic.

            • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 19:18

              @goobar: Look over the past few years, St Lukes, Latrobe, HCF, HCI, etc… are averaging above 90%. Some were slightly lower in 2020 with the pandemic, but they're giving cashbacks to members or freezing premium increases.
              What are the corporate funds doing? Paying out dividends with their surplus profits.

              Also very unlikely there is 30% cost differential in same coverage for any of the funds

              When you spend so much advertising and need to pay dividends, it's not surprising at all?

    • CacheHunter on 23/11/2021 - 14:48

      Yeah, apparently long-term Medibank members get 5 days free cover, despite paying premiums that are much higher than BUPA. Short-term Medibank members get less. I pay annually, so I doubt that I'll notice that my premium has gone up by 5 days less than it inevitably will.

    • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 16:07
      +1

      You should had got more than a few dollars if you really were on too hospital the whole financial year.

  • 2pro4sho on 23/11/2021 - 14:12

    Nothing new. Medibank did this months ago but just automatically reduced a few of your monthly bills if eligible.

  • screensaver on 23/11/2021 - 14:14

    I am getting $41 back from Westfund, better than nothing I suppose. Also had to update bank details

  • Twilight1234 on 23/11/2021 - 14:15

    Wow, got back $60, thanks!!!

  • bashar20 on 23/11/2021 - 14:16

    The suckers at NIB refunded me $13 only.

  • MrThing on 23/11/2021 - 14:17

    Medibank did a similar thing a few months back

    Didnt have to do anything it just appeared

  • katykat on 23/11/2021 - 14:17

    A covid refund for health insurance is a real thing. Weird that BUPA are actually refunding it though. I'm with Medibank and when they did this a few months ago they just lowered the premium for the next month, with an email telling you why. Refunding seems a bit more complicated?

    • spaceflight on 23/11/2021 - 14:43

      “We are returning savings in the form of a cash payment as we know this gives our customers more choice to use the money in a way that is most valuable to them,” Ms Amos said.

  • vFox on 23/11/2021 - 14:22
    +1

    Didn't get an email but checked my online account inbox and saw the message - $110 refund. Thanks for the heads up op.

  • Thusly Galore on 23/11/2021 - 14:23

    Thanks OP. Appreciate the heads up for the rare chance to get something back from Private Health Insurance.

    • richox on 23/11/2021 - 16:13

      Be glad you don't need to use the benefits of your health insurance

  • Coppermelt on 23/11/2021 - 14:24

    seems legit. Thanks OP. weird that they didnot send an email but a message in the "Inbox" under the website.

    • rdhupar on 23/11/2021 - 14:45

      Same

  • Thrifty Dan on 23/11/2021 - 14:25

    Claimed. Thanks OP!

  • deme on 23/11/2021 - 14:25

    we’re returning $120 million in COVID-19 savings to our customers.

    Sounds like a marketing campaign budget

  • athk on 23/11/2021 - 14:25
    +3

    Member for over 10 years, no email nothing in the my bupa inbox either.

    • Pub Envelope on 23/11/2021 - 15:38
      +2

      I have been with them for 18 months+ now and have nothing either

    • FrugalNotStingy on 23/11/2021 - 16:09
      +3

      My family and I have been with them for 22 years without switching to other providers and still got nothing.

      • Cherry12 on 03/12/2021 - 10:26

        Check again. I just got the email yesterday and used the cover at least 3 times this year.

  • solar eclipse on 23/11/2021 - 14:29

    For people getting refund offers:
    Are you hospital only? Or do you have extras?

    • rdhupar on 23/11/2021 - 14:45

      Both

    • Vieira4 on 23/11/2021 - 15:42

      Both

    • wombat81 on 23/11/2021 - 15:43

      Both

    • edisonAU on 23/11/2021 - 15:46

      Hospital only

    • solar eclipse on 23/11/2021 - 23:12

      Thanks. Wife and I got $40 each (hospital, separate policies)

  • Chicken Kyiv on 23/11/2021 - 14:35
    +2

    my dignity is not worth $80…gets bank account details out

    • Guybrush57 on 23/11/2021 - 21:10

      Then opt for a cheque. They'll never know which bank account it gets deposited to >_>

  • tlai on 23/11/2021 - 14:35

    Didn't get any in my inbox - extras only… what happens if I fill in the link posted..

    • kensaiD on 23/11/2021 - 15:07

      Nothing in my inbox either but I filled the form in. 🤷🏻‍♂️

      • tlai on 23/11/2021 - 15:28

        I read the comments below, and I did get the 2021 - Deferred Claims Liability [PDF] message. I believe you would only get the OP message if they don't already have your bank details/

  • gamerkonks on 23/11/2021 - 14:38

    Joined mid April 21, so I guess I missed out by a couple weeks?

  • rdhupar on 23/11/2021 - 14:38
    +1

    Thanks OP. Funny, the email didnt show in my mailbox but is in the BUPA messaging system to check there is you havent received one.

  • cashless on 23/11/2021 - 14:39

    Bupa. Hopeless trying to contact them.
    Recently I was on hold for 1hr45mins before they abruptly cut the call.
    Have completely given up trying to talk to them

  • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 14:43

    This seems rather silly, it'd be better to delay premium increases.

    • Craicdealer on 23/11/2021 - 15:56
      +1

      Which is what HCF is doing. They are freezing premiums at current rates until 1 November 2022

  • BaeSuzy on 23/11/2021 - 14:44

    ? i can't even add STG BSB number lol

  • LordSydney on 23/11/2021 - 14:45

    The clowns I'm with didn't give me anything back.. I guess I suspended my coverage throughout the entire "pandemic" which makes up for it…

    • ShouldIBuyIt on 23/11/2021 - 14:48

      Does that impact the lifetime levy? Or whatever the name is.

      • LordSydney on 23/11/2021 - 15:01

        Just realised I only have extras and ambulance, so that's probably why.

        • ShouldIBuyIt on 23/11/2021 - 15:31

          Oh ok. Hospital cover is the bulk of the fees. Extra are minimal. But any savings was good savings the last 18months…

          • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 16:42

            @ShouldIBuyIt: No, extras can easily be more expensive than hospital as hospital is mostly covered by Medicare (75%), whereas for extras the health fund bears the entire cost.
            It's a great system though, you pay a private company money in order to access publicly funded healthcare…

            • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 19:07

              @iseeyou1312: Medicare only cover 75% of the MBS fee for the doctors fee. Doctors can charge 2-4x this depending on specialty. Also Medicare doesn’t cover any of the private hospital or prothetics cost, which is usually the majority of the cost.

              • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 19:24

                @goobar:

                Doctors can charge 2-4x this depending on specialty

                There's no limit to what doctors can charge. Some bill 20+ times the MBS rebate for certain procedures and speciality. But, PHI tends to not cover the gap, it's left up to the patient to do so.

                Also Medicare doesn’t cover any of the private hospital or prothetics cost

                This is completely wrong. Medicare covers 75% of all PHI costs, meaning the private hospital stay, prosthetics, as well as doctor's fees, up to the MBS rebate. The health fund pays the remaining 25%.

                So many people seem to think that their PHI fund pays for all of their private hospital stay, but it's a total misconception. The system we have goes back to the 70s and 80s when Liberal government was fighting Labour to keep an American-style healthcare system in Australia, fortunately they lost in the end. They had amended Medicare so that it was only accessible if you had private health insurance, which was changed when the Hawke government was elected.

                • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 19:50

                  @iseeyou1312: Do you actually read and understand the links you post? AMA is the Australian Medical Association- I.e group for doctors. The first section only talks about medical costs. There is another section later that talks about hospital costs. Read the PHI act if you don’t understand and stop posting incorrect information.

                  • iseeyou1312 on 23/11/2021 - 19:56

                    @goobar:

                    Medicare rebates are paid as a percentage of the Medicare Schedule Fee as follows:
                    * 75% for all services that are provided by a medical practitioner during an episode of hospital treatment when the patient is admitted as a private patient.

                    The costs of hospital treatment includes accommodation, operating theatres, prostheses, medical services, allied health services and pharmaceuticals. It is a common misunderstanding that private health insurance covers the entire cost of hospital treatment.

                    So, not only do you have no clue about how PHI works, but you also lack basic comprehension skills? I guess the later explains the former.

                    • goobar on 23/11/2021 - 19:59
                      +1

                      @iseeyou1312: This section only refers to medical costs facepalm

                      From your own link (though AMA do a terrible job of explaining it to me honest, so I can understand why you are confused):

                      For hospital costs, private health insurers and hospitals enter into contracts that mean that the private health insurer pays an amount to the hospital that is higher than the minimum benefit amount. …..

                      For medical services, private health insurers are required to pay a benefit of at least 25% of the Medicare Schedule Fee, and will only cover 100% of a medical practitioner’s fee when the medical practitioner agrees to charge a fee that is equal to the level of medical benefit set by the patient’s private health insurer.

                      • iseeyou1312 on 24/11/2021 - 17:37

                        @goobar: So the government covers costs up to a minimum benefit amount, and the insurer pays the excess above what the hospital charges, with the government setting price controls on the gap?
                        Private health insurer spending is too small a fraction of overall healthcare expenditure for them to be paying all the hospital costs, but it's also not exactly clear how such costs are split between PHI and Medicare. I guess it varies on a case-by-case basis?

            • buckster on 23/11/2021 - 23:30

              @iseeyou1312: ShouldIBuyIt was sorta referring to the cost of the PREMIUMS…

              Not treatment. You guys have been arguing for nothing 🤷

      • Gavman on 24/11/2021 - 07:31
        -1

        Life time levy is overplayed. The amount he guy woulda saved by suspending for 18 months would cover the loading for 2 lifetimes

        • iseeyou1312 on 24/11/2021 - 17:41

          The maximum cost of the levy is 70% of the premium for 10 years (if you are uninsured for 35+ years) - so 7 years worth of premium, not 18 months.

          However, the government's PHI rebate doesn't apply to the levy charged - so it may be as much as ~10.5 years if you qualify for the maximum benefit.

  • mewx on 23/11/2021 - 14:46

    getting $55

  • hardya on 23/11/2021 - 14:46
    -1

    Rang and knew nothing about it. You've been warned.

    • BaeSuzy on 23/11/2021 - 14:51
      +1

      typical. But its legit, i logged into my bupa first, then clicked the link, and its straight to my account and login.
      So defintiely worth trying.

    • CTFlashZ on 23/11/2021 - 14:59

      You need to be a BUPA member :P

    • Chickenleg on 23/11/2021 - 15:02
      +1

      Bupa.com.au/giveback

      Pretty poor that they didn’t know about their own program

  • ShouldIBuyIt on 23/11/2021 - 14:47

    Member for almost 10years. Left them early November. Can't believe it took them 5 months into the new financial year to put that in place. Didn't use any benefits the last 12 months, while they increased premium in October 2020 then April 2021.
    Guess I'll miss out that cashback.

    • ilovemangoes on 23/11/2021 - 17:05
      +1

      One of the FAQs at https://www.bupa.com.au/giveback says:

      I’ve since cancelled my cover with you, will I still get a refund? If so, how?

      Even if you have since cancelled your cover with us, so long as you held eligible private health insurance cover with Bupa for a period of 90 days or more at any stage between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, you’ll still be eligible. This excludes policy holders with Overseas Visitors Cover, Overseas Student Health Cover and Ambulance Only policies.

      Unfortunately, it doesn't answer the 'how will I get my refund' part of the question, but you are still eligible.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join