UniMed is New Zealand's third-largest health insurer, based at 165 Gloucester Street, Level 3, Christchurch 8011, and trusted by over 140,000 Members. Trading as Union Medical Benefits Society Limited, UniMed operates as a mutual society — meaning it exists for its Members rather than shareholders, guided by the values of aspire, care and trust.
Founded in 1979 with fewer than 10,000 Members, UniMed has paid out more than $1.2 billion in claims over the past 45 years. In 2024, the insurance portfolio of Accuro Health Insurance Society was transferred to UniMed, bringing Accuro's roughly 30,000 Members across. Accuro itself traced back to 1971 as the Hospital Services Welfare Society, providing insurance exclusively to hospital staff before opening to all New Zealanders in 2007 and rebranding as Accuro.
UniMed offers a range of individual and family Health Plans, including Health Positive (reimbursing 50% or 80% of everyday health costs including dental and vision care), Hospital Select (unlimited cover for eligible surgical procedures), UniCare Advantage (80% coverage for surgical costs up to $100,000 per admission), and ParentStay (health insurance for Parent Boost Visa applicants), alongside SmartCare, SmartCare+, SmartStay and KidSmart plans.
On the business side, UniMed is trusted by more than 500 New Zealand businesses to provide tailored group health insurance and wellbeing plans for their teams, and also offers MoleMap as part of its business proposition. Members benefit from Active Benefits (preventative wellbeing services) and Active Care (support during illness recovery), online claims through a secure Member Portal, and exclusive offers from trusted partners.
From modest beginnings in 1979 with fewer than 10,000 Members, UniMed has grown into New Zealand's third-largest health insurer, now trusted by more than 140,000 people across the country, operating from its Christchurch base on Gloucester Street.
What sets UniMed apart structurally is that it operates as a mutual society — it exists to serve its Members, not shareholders. That distinction shapes how the organisation talks about its purpose: guided by the values of aspire, care and trust, UniMed positions itself as being there to support Members' health journeys, whether that means managing an illness, staying on top of preventative care, or simply making informed choices about wellbeing. Over its 45-year history, the organisation has paid out more than $1.2 billion in claims.
In 2024, UniMed absorbed the insurance portfolio of Accuro Health Insurance Society, bringing roughly 30,000 additional Members into the fold. Accuro itself had its own long history, starting in 1971 as the Hospital Services Welfare Society, which provided health insurance exclusively to hospital staff. It wasn't until 2007 that membership opened up to all New Zealanders, at which point the organisation rebranded as Accuro. With that merger complete, UniMed now serves the combined membership of both former societies.
UniMed's individual and family Health Plans span a range of needs. Health Positive reimburses 50% or 80% of everyday health costs, including dental and vision care — the kind of ongoing expenses that add up outside of major medical events. For bigger-ticket needs, Hospital Select provides unlimited cover for eligible surgical procedures, while UniCare Advantage covers 80% of surgical costs up to $100,000 per admission. For newer New Zealanders, ParentStay offers health insurance specifically designed for Parent Boost Visa applicants, while SmartCare, SmartCare+ and SmartStay round out plans for personal cover and work visa holders, and KidSmart covers children specifically.
Beyond individual cover, more than 500 New Zealand businesses trust UniMed to provide tailored health and wellbeing plans for their teams. The organisation works closely with employers and advisers to design flexible, cost-effective plans that meet the specific needs of each workforce, and also offers MoleMap as part of its business-facing proposition — an addition aimed at broadening the preventative health services available to workplace members.
UniMed Members get access to more than just claims cover. Active Benefits focuses on preventative wellbeing services, helping Members stay ahead of health issues, while Active Care supports Members through the recovery process when illness does happen. Claims themselves can be submitted online through a secure Member Portal — a photo of an invoice from a phone is often all that's needed — with online claims typically processed, and paid, faster than the alternative. Members also get access to exclusive offers from UniMed's trusted partners.
One Member, Leslie, summed up the experience this way: "UniMed is not just another medical insurance provider but a company that cares about its customers. They have your welfare and best interests as a core value of their business - looking after you!"
UniMed has flagged an increase in scams targeting Members of financial institutions, including its own. The organisation is explicit that it will never call unprompted asking for credit card details — if that happens, Members are advised to hang up and call UniMed directly on 0800 600 666 to verify. The organisation has also introduced the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar to make its website more accessible, letting visitors personalise how they access content on the site.