Latest news with #MiloshMilisavljevic
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
Australian bitten by a monkey in Bali, sparking a medical emergency as tourists warned about the importance of travel insurance
A naughty monkey that bit an Aussie traveller in Bali sparked a medical emergency that highlighted the benefit of travel insurance. 'While enjoying the cultural sights of Bali, a traveller had an unfortunate run in when a monkey attempted to steal their glasses,' explained Medibank spokesman Milosh Milisavljevic. 'The monkey took aim and bit the traveller, requiring immediate medical attention. 'Our 24-hour emergency assistance team quickly arranged for appropriate treatment, vaccinations, and follow-up care advice.' Indonesian health authorities warn monkey bites in Bali can cause rabies and other ailments such as 'monkey malaria', viruses like Herpes B and even mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs warns infection rates from rabies have surged in Bali, with popular tourist spots have been proclaimed 'red zones'. These included South Kuta, Nusa-Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbara and Changgu. The disease, most commonly spread by dogs, is 100 per cent fatal. Health experts say any monkey bite or scratch in Bali should be treated as a medical emergency, regardless of whether the monkey appears healthy or not. The traveller bitten by the monkey trying to steal the sunglasses survived, Mr Milisavljevic said. And Medibank picked up the $10,600 bill for medical and hospital expenses, he said. Fortunately, the errant monkey didn't have the disease. Medibank's most expensive claim last year was for $275,000 – for a sprained ankle, Mr Milisavljevic said. He said the medical emergency happened in America where hospital charges can be astronomical. 'Something as simple as a sprained ankle tripped this traveller up,' he said. 'Despite attempting to walk it off, the pain and swelling worsened within hours. The traveller contacted the 24-hour emergency assistance team, who promptly arranged for medical care. Doctors discovered a broken toe and torn ligaments. 'The traveller received pain relief, some mobility aids and follow up treatment.' In Italy, another Australian insured with Medibank received a payout of $16,000 after his luggage and travel documents disappeared. 'The traveller contacted the 24-hour emergency assistance team who were able to support them in reporting the incident to the police and embassy and putting plans in place to help them continue their holiday.' Indonesia was the most popular international destination that Medibank travel insurance customers travelled to in 2024, followed by USA, New Zealand, Europe, Japan. Most claims were made by Australians travelling in Indonesia, USA, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam and China. 'The most common reasons for claims being overseas medical and hospital expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, additional expenses, such as new flights and the cost of extra hotel accommodation, and travel delay expenses,' Mr Milisavljevic. 'Unfortunately, things can sometimes go wrong on holidays.' Insurance is also available for people travelling within Australia. Travellers seeking medical procedures abroad are generally not covered by travel insurance. 'Some go for treatments that are unavailable in Australia,' a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said on the Smartraveller website. 'The most common procedures Australians go overseas for are, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, heart surgery, fertility treatments, surrogacy, gender affirming surgery, stem-cell therapy and cancer treatments.' Some go for hair transplants. Others go for hip and knee replacement surgeries to avoid the lengthy waiting lists in Australia's public hospitals.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major $255 cash back offer for eligible Aussies
Medibank will return a further $160 million to customers under its give back program. The insurer made a commitment "not to profit from the pandemic" as customers claims reduced from 2020. Eligible customers will get at least $50, depending on their coverage. However, they could get up to $255. "On average it will be around $50 for eligible extras only policies and around $130 for eligible hospital and extras policies," Medibank said. Medibank said the latest round of returns will push the total balance returned to customers to $1.62 billion — "the largest financial give back from any Australian health insurer". RELATED Major Centrelink changes coming for millions in March Aussie state where residents 'throw away' $100 million in recycling incentives 'Cheeky' cash surcharge prompts warning as more asked to pay: 'Where does it stop?' 'We know that many household budgets are under a lot of pressure with rising cost of living, and we hope this extra money provides some relief for our customers," Medibank Chief Customer Officer Milosh Milisavljevic said. The give back has been funded "from COVID-19 permanent net claims savings and reduces the COVID-19 reserve balance by $160 million (pre-tax)". Medibank said it will not impact the group's operating profit for the year ending June 30, 2025. Medibank said customers with an active hospital or extras policy on June 30 will be eligible for the cash back. They will receive their cash back automatically into their bank accounts by September 2024. "Customers do not need to do anything; we will contact them directly with details of their payment," Medibank said. Medibank returned $305 million in 2024, $408 million in 2023 and $443 million in 2022. The customer give-back program is expected to end this year. Any remaining net claims savings will be returned to customers.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Group of Aussies to receive $255
Medibank will return $160m to customers as part of its Covid support package, with eligible policy holders to receive between $50 and $255 cash back. The give-back program was a commitment from the health insurer that it would not profit from the pandemic while customers' ability to claim was impacted. Customers with eligible extras only policies or hospital extras policies will receive the payment by the end of September. Medibank has returned $1.62bn to customers since the start of the pandemic as part of the program. Medibank chief customer officer Milosh Milisavljevic said while Covid restrictions had eased, there were still lower-than-expected claims levels. 'Which is why we are announcing we'll be returning more money to our customers,' he said. 'We know that many household budgets are under a lot of pressure with rising cost of living, and we hope this extra money provides some relief for our customers. 'This give back is being funded from Covid-19 permanent net claims savings and reduces the Covid-19 reserve balance by $160m (pre-tax). 'It will not impact Medibank's Group operating profit for the 12 months ending 30 June 2025.' The customer give-back program is expected to end this year. Any remaining net claims savings will be returned to customers.
