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Defence Health Limited is a registered private health insurer which has been serving the Defence community since 1953.
The company's not-for-profit status means that it is exempt from income tax and the fact that it does not have shareholders means that it does not pay dividends, so benefits are maximised.
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Defence Health's core purpose is to support the ADF and wider Defence community by helping its members finance their personal and family health care and in other ways offering them peace of mind and reducing the financial burden that may flow from illness, accident and loss of life.
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Focus on the needs of the ADF and ADF personnel
Our focal points are the well-being of permanent and reserve members of the ADF and their families and the capability and readiness of the ADF.
Excellence in performance
We strive for excellence in the products and services that we deliver and in how we deliver them.
Respect for the individual
We respect all people - their well-being, knowledge, ideas, culture and beliefts.
Responsibility and accountability
We are dependable, conscientious and mature and are accountable for our actions.
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The principal activity of Defence Health is to operate a health benefits fund in accordance with the Private Health Insurance Act 2007. The Company provides health insurance and complementary products to members and families of the Australian Defence Force and the wider Defence community.
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A copy of the Constitution can be downloaded from this link.
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All members are bound by the Rules of Defence Health Limited. Your cover will be accepted and benefits paid in accordance with these Rules. A summary of the Rules is contained in our Membership Guide which is issued to you when you join. A copy of the Fund Rules is available for download from this link.
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The Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) is an independent Statutory Authority that regulates the private health insurance industry. In addition, PHIAC:
- collects and disseminates financial and statistical data regarding health funds; and
- collects and disseminates information about private health insurance to enable consumers to make informed choices.
Private health insurance policy is set down by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
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The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman provides an independent service to help consumers with health insurance problems and enquiries. The Ombudsman can deal with complaints from health funds, private hospitals or medical practitioners. Complaints must be about a health insurance arrangement. The Ombudsman publishes reports and consumer information about private health insurance.
The Ombudsman's website www.privatehealth.gov.au contains information about private health insurance and enables comparison of all private health insurance products offered in Australia.
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Defence Health Ltd is a signatory to the Private Health Insurance Code of Conduct and agrees to be bound by it. A brochure on the Code of Conduct can be found at this link. The Code governs four main areas of conduct:
- ensuring you receive the correct information on private health insurance from appropriately trained staff;
- ensuring you are aware of the internal and external dispute resolution procedures available in the event that you have a dispute with us;
- ensuring policy documentation contains information to assist you to make an informed decision about your purchase and that all communications between you and your fund are conducted in a way that the appropriate information flows between you and the person you are dealing with; and
- ensuring all information between you and us is protected in accordance with our privacy policy.
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The regulator of the private health insurance industry keeps detailed industry statistics which are published on their website www.phiac.gov.au. These statistics provide an in depth assessment of all private health funds in Australia.
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Defence Health's internal audit function is performed by KPMG Audit & Risk Advisory Services in accordance with a risk-based internal audit plan. This plan is reviewed and approved annually by the Risk, Compliance and Audit Committee. All significant audit reports and a summary of other audit reports are reviewed by the Committee.
The risk management methodology in place is based on Australian and New Zealand Risk Management Standards. A key component of the strategic risk management planning and operational reviews is the identification and evaluation of potential business risks. Each year a full risk assessment and mitigation plan is prepared and endorsed by the Board. The risk assessment process includes input from the Board, executive and management. The Board regularly receives updates on the status of key business risks.
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Board of Directors
The Board comprises nine non-executive Directors including a non-executive Chairman. The Board has assessed that all Directors are independent. Directors are appointed by the Members in accordance with the Company’s Constitution.
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Conflicts of interest
Directors must keep the Board advised on an ongoing basis of any interest that could potentially conflict with those of the Company. Each Director is obliged to notify other Directors of any material personal interest that they may have in a matter that relates to the affairs of the Company (subject to certain exceptions specified in the Corporations Act 2001). Directors who may have, or may be perceived to have, a material personal interest in a matter before the Board do not participate in discussions and abstain from voting on that matter.
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Independent professional advice and access to company information
Directors may independently and collectively seek advice from independent experts whenever it is considered necessary. With the consent of the Chairman, individual Directors may seek independent professional advice at the expense of the Company on any matter connected with the discharge of their responsibilities. Each Director has the right of access to all relevant Company information and to the Company’s management.
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Board Committees
To enable in-depth consideration of certain of its responsibilities, the Board has established a number of
Committees, being:
- Risk, Compliance and Audit Committee;
- Business Strategy Committee;
- Investment Committee; and
- Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
The Board may delegate powers and functions to these Committees (other than those imposed exclusively on the Board by the law or the Company’s constitution). Each Committee operates under a charter which is approved and periodically reviewed by the Board.
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Directors
Major General Gregory Howard Garde AO RFD QC BA (Hons) LLM
Appointed to the Board in April 2004 and appointed Chairman in October 2011. Major General Garde AO RFD QC is the Chairman of the Board and a member of both the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Investment Committee. He is also a member of the Army Reserve.
Mr Michael John Bassingthwaighte FAICD
Appointed to the Board in July 2001. Mr Bassingthwaighte is Chairman of the Business Strategy Committee and a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. He is also a Director of the Australian Health Service Alliance Ltd and HAMB Systems Ltd.
Air Commodore Philip Darcy Byrne BA FACDSS MAICD
Appointed to the Board in April 2005. Air Commodore Byrne is Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Business Strategy Committee. He is also a member of the RAAF Reserve.
Mr Alan Ian Beckett BEc FCA GAICD
Appointed to the Board in January 2006. Mr Beckett is the Chairman of the Risk, Compliance & Audit Committee and a member of the Investment Committee.
Major General Gerard Fogarty AM B Bus GradDipMgmt MBA MSS(USA) GAICD
Appointed to the Board in April 2009. MAJGEN Fogarty AM is a member of both the Business Strategy Committee and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. He is a serving Military Officer.
Ms Alice Joan Morrice Williams FCPA FAICD CFA ISFA AIF
Appointed to the Board in February 2010. Ms Williams is the Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Risk, Compliance & Audit Committee.
Mr Garry Richardson FAICD
Appointed to the Board in February 2011. Mr Richardson is a member of both the Investment Committee and the Risk, Compliance & Audit Committee.
Ms Julie Blackburn BNurs GradDip Midwifery
Appointed to the Board in December 2011. Ms Blackburn is a member of both the Business Strategy Committee and the Risk, Compliance & Audit Committee. She is also the National Convenor at Defence Families of Australia.
Company Secretary
Mr Andrew Guerin LLB BEc FCIS DipFS (Fin. Planning) was appointed Company Secretary in September 2005.
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Executives
Mr David Rolfe Lynch BCom CPA(FPS) FFin FAICD – Chief Executive Officer
Mrs Cath Mulcare BEc CPA CA MAICD – Chief Financial Officer
Mr Andrew Neil Guerin LLB BEc FCIS DipFS (Fin. Planning) – Chief Operating Officer
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