Blog article
How the COACH Program can help you manage your chronic condition
That’s where the COACH Program comes in. Available to eligible HBF members at no extra cost,* COACH offers one-on-one health coaching over the phone to help you feel more confident managing your health. Whether you’re dealing with heart disease, diabetes, or another long-term condition, the program gives you time, support, and personalised guidance to take control of your wellbeing.
We chatted with Health Coach, Mary, to learn more about the program.
What exactly is COACH?
COACH is a six-month telephone-based program designed to support people who are currently managing – or at risk of developing – a chronic condition. You’ll be matched with a qualified health coach who works with you regularly to set goals, build your understanding, and help you take positive steps toward better health.
Think of it as having someone in your corner, helping you make sense of all the medical info, supporting your progress, and cheering you on as you go.
“Working with a health coach can help you feel more confident in your health management, which can lead to better health outcomes long term,” Mary says.
What do you talk about with a health coach?
Your health coach will tailor conversations to suit your personal health needs. But generally, you’ll chat about things like:
- Your diagnosis and how to manage it
- Cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose
- Healthy eating and exercise
- Medications
- Building confidence to ask questions and make informed decisions
The idea isn’t to overload you with information – it’s about giving you the tools to feel more in control of your health journey.
“The focus is on helping you understand your diagnosis,” Mary says. “We’re aiming for optimal health management. We’ll chat about risk factors, nutrition, medications and exercise. Our conversations are a safe space in which you can ask questions and gain confidence in managing your health and wellbeing.”
Why do I need COACH in addition to a GP?
Your GP plays a crucial role in your care – but sometimes you need a little more time, guidance, and ongoing support than a regular appointment allows. That’s where COACH fits in.
“No matter how good your doctors and specialists are, the one thing they’re usually short on is time,” says Mary. “They simply can’t cover off all the information our health coaches have access to. There’s also so much information out there that it can be difficult to know what to focus on.
“Our health coaches will help you understand where you need to focus on to optimise your health – we’ve done all the homework for you.”
June’s experience with COACH
Como local June Booth knows just how valuable that support can be. At 71, she’s managing heart damage following breast cancer treatment, and found COACH helped her better understand what was going on in her body – and speak up about it.
“The six months on the program made me more aware of what was going on in my body. It made me want to ask my doctors questions, whereas I wouldn’t have done that before,” June says. “Phaedra, my Coach, was wonderful. She was easy to talk to and I could ask her anything.”
Is COACH right for me?
If you’re managing or at risk of a chronic condition, and you want support that’s practical, personalised, and easy to access, COACH could be a great fit.
“Those who have participated in COACH tell us they really appreciate the holistic approach and attention to detail. We help join the dots and fill in the gaps when it comes to managing a heart condition, diabetes or respiratory condition,” says Mary.
What does COACH cost?
Other than your time, it won’t cost you anything to take part in COACH if you hold an eligible level of HBF hospital cover and meet the program eligibility criteria.1 You can quickly find out if you’re eligible by phoning 1300 886 513.
