HEALTH insurer nib has said it would waive the 2020 premium increase for "an additional six months" for members receiving the Australian government's JobKeeper and JobSeeker assistance.
The Newcastle-based company said the waiver would be applied in the form of a one-off credit to cover the cost of the premium increase until March 31 next year.
It comes on top of the six-month premium postponement to all nib members from April 1 this year.
The insurer's Ed Close said the premium increase waiver was the latest addition to nib's "$45 million member and community support package".
"We understand people are doing it tough at the moment and especially those who have had their regular income and livelihoods impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
"Already, more than 4000 of our members have indicated they are receiving these government subsidies and will automatically have the credit applied to their policy.
"To date we've seen more than 10,000 members access premium relief or suspensions since April this year, while 560,000 members now have expanded cover for COVID-19-related treatment at no cost."
Mr Close said nib was also extending access to telehealth services until March 31.
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