Managing Director’s UpdateWelcome to this edition of SmartHealth.

2014 Premium IncreasesWith the recent increase in health

insurance premiums across Australia, we are really pleased to have achieved for HIF members the lowest weighted average premium increase in Australia. And our average increase at 2.98% was significantly below the industry average of 6.2%. We’ve worked hard to give you the best value for money health cover and to keep price rises down to a minimum.

It’s in our DNA. It shows in our 2014 premium increase and in our track

record where for the last eight year period our weighted average increase has been significantly below the industry average. And we’ll continue to work hard to keep your health cover affordable.

HIF WebmailWe will soon be introducing a webmail service which is a more secure way for you to access and store your personal information. HIF webmail is like the secure online statements and messages you get from your bank. Once launched, whenever we need to send you any information, we’ll send you an alert via email then you can go online to access your private member communication via our Member Service Centre.

You’ll be receiving information soon on how to opt in for HIF webmail.

This edition of SmartHealthIn this edition of SmartHealth we have some information about the recent Government changes to the Private Health Insurance Rebate. Brian Killian also gives you his top 5 fitness tips, we have a great, healthy recipe and you get a chance to win a Thermomix.

I hope you enjoy this edition of SmartHealth.

Graeme Gibson Managing Director

Did you know...you could use your HIF membership card to obtain quotes from Extras providers such as dentists and optical using the HICAPS or iSoft terminal? It’s quick and easy and gives you peace of mind to know how much you’ll receive in HIF benefits before you go ahead with the service.

Australia’s first certified Carbon Neutral health fund.

SmartHealth

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Government changes to the means-tested rebate The private health insurance rebate is the amount that the government contributes towards the cost of private health insurance premiums. From 1 July 2012, eligibility for the rebate became means tested.

On 1 April 2014, the Australian Federal Government began indexing the private health insurance rebate to a maximum of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is calculated based on the average increase across the health insurance industry.

This means if the weighted average increase continues to be above CPI each year, the rebate (as a percentage of the cost of private health cover) will reduce each year. And because it is being calculated at industry level, even if an individual policy does not have a premium increase, the rebate will still reduce.

As of 1 April 2014, the new rebates are:

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SALARY THRESHOLDS AND REBATE TIERS FOR THE 2013/14 FINANCIAL

POLICY TYPE BASE TIER TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3

SINGLE $88,000 or less $88,001 - $102,000 $102,001 - $136,000 $136,001 or more

COUPLE / FAMILY $176,000 or less $176,001 - $204,000 $204,001 - $272,000 $272,001 or more

AGE APPLICABLE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE REBATE

UNDER 65 29.04% 19.36% 9.68% 0%

65 - 69 33.88% 24.20% 14.52% 0%

OVER 70 38.72% 29.04% 19.36% 0%

HIF extends Surfing Partnership Across the countryNow, surfers right across the country will also benefit from a new national partnership HIF has announced with Surfing Western Australia and other state branches - to help deliver a range of programs through Surfing NSW, Surfing QLD and Surfing VIC.

Managing Director of HIF and avid surfer Graeme Gibson said it was important that all Australians and visitors could enjoy the water safely.

“We live in one of the most beautiful coastal locations in the world and it’s important that we all stay safe in the water,” he said.

Surfing WA Chief Executive Officer Mark Lane said “The support of HIF over the past four years has enabled SWA to not only grow the visibility of the sport but to deliver great value to our members. It makes great sense that surfing and surfers around the country also get the opportunity to have a similar experience.”

Surfing NSW CEO Mark Windon said it was great to see one of Australia’s leading health insurers getting behind surfing on a national front.

“Surfers have a natural affinity to leading a healthy lifestyle, which is at the core of HIF’s philosophy,” he said. It makes sense to see Australia’s number one lifestyle sport with Australia’s number one health insurer, joining forces to promote health and wellbeing.”

Surfing VIC CEO Max Wells said Surfing Victoria is super excited to be part of the HIF family.

From L-R: Mark Lane (WA), Max Wells (Vic), Graeme Gibson (HIF),

Will Bowden (NSW) & Scott Gillies (QLD)

“We have seen the great things Surfing WA and HIF have been doing and we are rapt to bring similar programs and opportunities to our state.”

Surfing QLD CEO Scott Gillies said the partnership is a sound investment into the future of surfing within Queensland.

“Surfing is synonymous with a healthy lifestyle and is a sport which is great for the mind, body and soul. Partnering with the Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) will deliver many benefits to our members from one of Australia’s leading health insurance providers.”

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Have you checked out our blog yet? Visit hif.com.au/blog today to explore our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, updated on a weekly basis by our panel of experts. Here’s a quick rundown of our authors to help you get acquainted…

Meet The bloggers

Susie Burrell, Health & Nutrition. Susie Burrell is one busy lady! As well as blogging for HIF every week, Susie regularly appears on Channel 7’s Sunrise, provides nutritious recipes to HIF and taste.com.au, and also provides articles to a number of magazines including Australian Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, That’s Life, Men’s Fitness and more. If that wasn’t enough, Susie has also published three books of her own including the popular “Losing the last 5kg”.

Susie’s most recent project involved developing a Healthy Lunchbox Guide for HIF, which can be downloaded from hif.com.au/lunchbox

Brian Killian, Fitness & Exercise. Brian Killian is the founder of bNatural Fitness in Adelaide. He has over 25 years experience in developing fitness programs and his clients include Olympians, AFL players, Australian cricketers, politicians, plus a number of local regulars. Brian also works collaboratively with Jon Gabriel, the world renowned author of the bestselling book “The Gabriel Method”. Check out page 4 of SmartHealth now to learn more about Brian and hear his top tips for making fitness fun!

Dr Emma, Dental Healthcare. Hailing from WA, Dr Emma is a practicing dentist in Perth with more than 13 years experience under her belt. Having blogged for HIF for more than two years now, Dr Emma’s library of articles is crammed with smart advice, fascinating info and useful tips to ensure optimal oral health. With topics like “Decay Demystified”, “DIY Dentistry”, “Getting Long in the Tooth”, “Caveman Cleaning”, “Groovy Teeth”, “Sedation for Kids”, “Toothpaste Dilemmas”, “Super Saliva” and “The Nightly Grind”, you’re sure to find heaps of great information to relate to!

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brian’s Top 5 Tips For Making Fitness Funbrian Killian hates going to the gym. can’t stand it. Why? because he doesn’t find it fun. As a professional Fitness Coach for more than 20 years, Brian develops programs for his clients based on a number of core principles including strength, flexibility, intensity, rest and fun. Of all the principles he combines, Brian believes that FUN is above and beyond the most important.

“We are pleasure seeking and pain avoiding creatures, it’s how our brains are hardwired”; Brian told HIF. “If your chosen tool for getting fit makes you feel sick just thinking about it, chances of continuing it are slim. For example, me,

I hate going into gyms. Running indoors overlooking a pool on a treadmill just isn’t my idea of a good time. But that’s just me; others love the comfort, the safety, the atmosphere of gyms, we are all different which is great. The point is, if you’re doing something physical you actually enjoy doing, the likelihood of you continuing is much higher than not.”

With this in mind, we asked Brian to provide his top five tips for making fitness fun. Here’s what he said:

1. Grab a buddy getting fit with friends is great way to catch up and connect

2. Join a class there’s nothing like some positive peer pressure to boost your performance

3. Crank the tunes everything is better when your favourite playlist is turned up loud

4. Try something new – explore a new activity, you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it

5. Reward yourself who doesn’t like a present?! Keep yourself motivated by assigning treats to key goals

HIF – new Diamond Partner of Perth Wildcats!HIF have joined the team as a diamond partner of the Perth Wildcats!

The new partnership will see the HIF logo feature prominently on the back of the Wildcats’ playing singlet in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 NBL seasons.

The club is thrilled with the alignment as they continue to encourage all Australians into making healthy lifestyle choices, like those supported by HIF.

“As a club we have walked away from junk food and alcohol sponsorship so it is terrific to have HIF on board with us to help promote healthy living and to have those shared values,” said Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin.

“We aim to not only inspire and entertain, but to also leave a legacy in the Australian community and the ability to promote healthy living through this partnership makes it a great fit.”

HIF managing director Graeme Gibson said HIF is excited to be on the Perth Wildcats team.

“We are confident that this sponsorship will help encourage our members to live more healthy and active lives and make better choices about their health,” he said.

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baharat Spiced Meatballs THERMOMIX RECIPE

Recipe courtesy of chef Russell Blaikie of Must Wine Bar, Highgate, Perth WA.

Ingredients

Baharat

• 30 g black peppercorns

• 30 g cinnamon quills

• 30 g cumin seeds

• 30 g ground paprika

• 1½ tbsp coriander seeds

• 3 tsp ground cardamom

• 3 tsp whole cloves

• 3 tsp ground nutmeg

Sauce

• 100 g brown onion, cut into pieces

• 1 garlic clove

• 30 g extra virgin olive oil

• 30 g tomato paste

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only

• 1 dried bay leaf

• 500 g tomato passata

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

• ½ tsp raw sugar

• 2 pinches salt, to taste

•2 pinches ground black pepper, to taste

Meatballs

• 2 garlic cloves

• 130 g brown onion

• 20 g extra virgin olive oil

• ¼ to taste cayenne pepper

• 2 tsp baharat (see above)

• 60 g tomato paste

• 30 g breadcrumbs

• 50 g white wine

• 500 g lamb mince

• 1 egg

• 2 tsp salt

PreparationBaharat

Place all baharat ingredients into mixing bowl and dry roast4 min/Varoma/speed 1. Allow to cool, then mill 1 min/speed 9. Transfer into a container and set aside until use.

Sauce

2. Place onion, garlic and olive oil into mixing bowl and chop 3 sec/speed 7. Scrape down sides of mixing bowl with spatula, then saute 3 min/Varoma/speed 1.

3. Add tomato paste and cook 1 min/Varoma/speed 1.

4. Add all remaining sauce ingredients and cook 20min/100°C /speed 1.5. Transfer into a bowl and set aside until use. Clean and dry mixing bowl.

Meatballs

5. Preheat oven to 210°C. Line two baking trays with baking paper and set aside.

6. Place garlic into mixing bowl and chop 3 sec/speed 7. Transfer into a bowl and set aside.

7. Place onion and oil into mixing bowl and chop 3 sec/speed 5.Scrape down sides of mixing bowl with spatula and saute 3 min/Varoma/speed 1, placing simmering basket instead of measuring cup onto mixing bowl lid.

8. Add reserved garlic, cayenne pepper, 2 tsp baharat and tomato paste and cook 1 min/Varoma/speed 2, placing simmering basket instead of measuring cup onto mixing bowl lid.

9. Add all remaining meatball ingredients and mix 8 sec/ speed 5, or until combined.

10. Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place onto prepared baking trays, repeat until all mixture is used (mixture should make approx. 22 meatballs).

11. Place meatballs into oven and bake (210°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 180°C. Transfer meatballs into a large casserole dish and pour sauce over the top. Cook (180°C) for a further 15 minutes. Serve warm.

To findout how to make this recipe without a Thermomix, visit hif.com.au

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HIF Privacy PolicyKeeping your personal information private and confidential is important to us. However, this information may be used by us or disclosed to a  third party, including a Government Agency or a person contracted to HIF, to inter alia assist us manage claims (including auditing) and ensure the interests of HIF members are preserved. Go to hif.com.au for a full copy of HIF’s Privacy Policy.

Telephone: 1300 13 40 60 | Web: hif.com.au | Email: info@hif.com.au

Terms and conditions

• CompetitionwillbedrawnonMonday5May2014atHIFheadoffice(Stirlingstreet, Perth WA).

• ThewinnermustbeacurrentfinancialmemberofHIFandacurrentAustralianresident at the time of the draw.

• TheThermomixisonlyavailablethroughindependentThermomixConsultants.The winner will be contacted by HIF who will arrange for their local consultant to deliver the prize via an in-home delivery and demonstration.

• Theprizeisnottransferrableforcashorgoods.

• HIFDirectorsandstaffarenoteligibletoenter.

Win A Thermomix!!Thermomix is the most advanced kitchen appliance on the market today. The product of more than 40 years of German design and innovation, Thermomix unites the functions of over 12 appliances in one compact unit.

The Thermomix is a revolutionary product that allows you to save time and money while improving your diet. With today’s fast paced lifestyle, we cook far less than we used to. Homemade breads, jams, juices, sauces, dips, cakes and biscuits have become a thing of the past.

HIF has a Thermomix valued at $1939 for one lucky HIF member! To enter the competition, all you have to do is name your favourite HIF blogger and tell us why they are your favourite.

Email your answer, with your member number, name and address to marketing.promos@hif.com.au

Hurry, the competition closes on Friday 2 May 2014 at 5pm.

How good is this!

HIF members receive an extra discount, of up to 25% for frames and lenses through optical stores

Specsavers, OPSM, Laubman and Pank, Vision Plus and Budget Eyewear, just

for being an HIF member. Contact one of the stores

for more information.