Southern Cross Health Insurance has launched Procedure Checker, a new online tool that helps members quickly confirm if their surgical procedure is covered under their policy and follow their treatment journey online.

The tool features market-leading search technology and capability. It allows members to search for specific treatments and see what is covered under their policy, including terms and conditions, excess requirements, and whether pre-existing conditions may affect cover. Members can also check if their procedure must be performed by an affiliated provider or if prior approval is needed.

Members can then follow their treatment journey online and access other My Southern Cross services that may help with their recovery, saving them a phone call to enquire about the same information.

Procedure Checker also offers improved support by utilising the latest technologies such as natural language processing technology, which translates a member’s plain-language query and links it with a procedure name, and machine learning technology.

Chief operating officer Anthony McPhail called the tool “simple to use” and “intuitive”.

“[Procedure Checker] allows members to search for procedures in plain English, without having to know clinical jargon. It also makes it very easy for members to see what their individual cover or limits are,” he said. “There’s a clear trend in people wanting more self-service options, and Procedure Checker meets that demand for accessing accurate information around the clock.”

The tool is currently available to members who are registered with My Southern Cross and on Ultracare or the Wellbeing 1 and 2 plans, though the organisation plans to further extend this service in time.