As a result of the COVID pandemic, eligible Mildura Health Fund (MHF) members will soon receive an additional cashback, as the not-for-profit organisation returns $6 million to its members.

As with many private health insurers, MHF has received less member hospital claims than it typically would due to the impact of COVID-19, and is honouring its commitment to return those savings to members.

The latest cashback will mean that the Fund has returned $12 million in 12 months, following the same initiative last June.

Mildura Health Fund CEO Gerard Op de Coul said the cashback would be of great benefit not only to the Fund’s members, but the community as a whole.

“For our members who may be doing it tough, we hope this will help to ease some of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, or that they can use it in a way that is valuable to them,” Mr Op de Coul said.

“We encourage our members to spend their cashback in their community, to support local businesses who may still be recovering from the effects of COVID or dealing with the current economic times.”

The payments will be made to MHF members who held an active hospital policy on 31 December 2022 and had been a member for at least three months prior.

Shaun Johns and wife Erin Nunan Johns joined Mildura Health Fund 18 months ago, wanting peace of mind for their young family.

Six months ago they welcomed their second son, Noah, and said the latest cashback would help with day-to-day expenses.

“It’s brilliant that a not-for-profit is giving money back to its members,” Shaun said.

“For us, it will help with some household bills, particularly given the rising cost of living.”

Mr Op de Coul said 13,510 policy holders could expect to receive a payment between $175.05 and $799.47 depending on their level of cover, with the average payment being $444.12.

He said in the coming weeks, members would be contacted and advised how much they can expect to receive, with cashbacks to be deposited directly into nominated bank accounts or by cheque by the end of May.

Since the start of the pandemic, MHF has also deferred three premium increases, rolled over unused extras benefits and given members access to telehealth services.

“We know this cash payment will be great news for our members,” Mr Op de Coul said.

“It also reinforces that as a member owned health fund, our members are our first priority.”