Mental Health Assist service to be discontinued from 1 September 2025

The Mental Health Assist service is being discontinued and will no longer be available to members after their anniversary date either on or after 1 September 2025. New members are not eligible for this service.

Mental Health Assist is being replaced with increased benefit limits for Mental Health consultations on eligible health plans. You can find out more about available mental health support services on the UniMed website.

Existing members can check their eligibility by viewing their latest health plan document, which is available at any time in the MyAccuro member portal.

I felt such relief after the FIRST call. The team was a lifeline. I want everyone who is having problems to know about the Mental Health Assist service—this has been life-changing for me.

— Shane, Accuro member

What is Mental Health Assist?

If you or a loved one are facing struggles with your mental health, the Mental Health Assist service can help.

Taking action to get help can be complicated due to time, cost and availability of mental health professionals - that's why Accuro provides Mental Health Assist to policyholders with a Specialist plan, at no extra cost. The service is designed to break down barriers by providing fast, comprehensive and confidential access to a team of mental health professionals. Whether this is your first time seeking mental health support or you already have a diagnosis and treatment plan, Mental Health Assist can help.

Accuro have the only health insurance policies in New Zealand that offer this service.

The service will connect you to a team of health professionals including a nurse, psychologist and psychiatrist. This team will review your condition, make a diagnosis or review an existing diagnosis and treatment plan and make recommendations for future steps. The mental health nurse will continue to support you once you have completed the process.

You can expect a consultation within 10 days.

The Mental Health Assist service doesn’t include follow up visits to psychologists or psychiatrists but mental health consultations are a benefit on all Accuro Specialist plans.

 

Jo Gauci, Mental Health Nurse

When to use Mental Health Assist?

  • you are feeling a little overwhelmed and unable to cope as you normally would
  • you are struggling with stress, anxiety or depression
  • you are unsure about a diagnosis for a mental health condition
  • you don't have a treatment plan but have been diagnosed with a mental health condition
  • you have a mental health issue but have not seen a mental health professional

Mental Health Assist should not be used for acute situations

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of yourself or a loved one, you should call 111 or one of the helplines listed at the bottom of this page.

Who is eligible to use Mental Health Assist?

  • Accuro policies with a Hospital and Surgical plan and the Specialist add on plan.*
  • You must be over 18 years of age. This service is not designed for under 18s.
  • You can use Mental Health Assist regardless of any exclusions on your policy.

Please note that the Mental Health Assist service is being discontinued and will no longer be available to new members or existing members following their anniversary either on or after 1 September 2025.

You can check your eligibility by viewing your latest health plan document, which is available at any time in the MyAccuro member portal.

How does Mental Health Assist work?

Step 1 - Contact us to start a case

Contact us to start a case. If you are eligible, we will pass your details on to the Mental Health Assist team to call you back.

Step 2 - Initial call with Mental Health Assist

One of the mental health nurses will call you for an initial conversation. They will a arrange a time for a video call to talk more in-depth about your needs and situation.

Step 2 – Collect information

The team will gather your medical history and complete a clinical summary before matching you with the right team of experts.

Step 3 – Expert review

Your assigned expert team, consisting of a leading NZ registered psychiatrist and/or psychologist, will meet with you by video call to assess your condition. You can expect to have this consultation within 10 days.

Step 4 – Report and support

Your mental health nurse will follow up with a call to discuss the expert’s findings and provide a detailed report outlining your diagnosis and recommended treatment options. They will help guide you into the recommended treatment plan and provide ongoing support for the six months following your consultation.

Independent and Confidential

The Mental Health Assist service is provided by Teladoc Health. This allows for your information to remain private and confidential. Accuro will never see this report nor know that you have accessed the service unless you choose to share this information with us.

Get Started

Call us now on 0800 222 876 to start the conversation.

Where to find additional help and support

If you are concerned about the immediate health and safety of yourself or a loved one, call 111.

  • Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
  • What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
  • Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
  • Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
  • Samaritans - 0800 726 666
  • Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865

*Hospital and Surgical plans are by default on the following Accuro health plans: SmartCare, SmartCare+, StaffCare, StaffCare+, KidSmart, SmartStay, Major Medical Plan, Real Value Plan.

The Specialist plan is an add on module that is not selected by default on your health plan.

To check what modules you have on your health plan, see your policy certificate or login to the online MyAccuro member portal.