An advocacy group representing almost 25 not-for-profit health funds is calling for major healthcare reforms aimed at improving the accessibility, affordability and transparency of the sector.
The Members Health Fund Alliance (Members Health) is lobbying the government for expanded access to preventative public health measures, as well as an increase to the government private health rebate.
Members Health is an industry body representing 24 health funds that are not-for-profit or part of a not-for-profit group, member owned, regional and community based.
In the Economic and Social Impact of the Members Health Funds of Australia report, Members Health is also asking for greater transparency around pricing and performance for hospitals and clinicians so people can fairly and accurately compare between providers.
Matthew Koce, Members Health CEO, says the changes will pay economic dividends in the long run and will ensure our healthcare system remains sustainable into the future.
“Good health is fundamental to productivity, wellbeing and economic prosperity,” he says.
“Australia’s private healthcare system is the envy of the world, but given cost of living pressures and long public hospital waits, there is an immediate imperative to further improve affordability, accessibility and consumer empowerment for Australian families.”
“From Australia’s earliest beginnings, not-for-profit and member-owned health insurance funds have stood alongside families – from the cities to our regional and remote areas – playing a vital role in healthcare delivery and the nation’s economic and social wellbeing,”
What are they asking for?
Members Health is calling for the government to reinstate the full 30 per cent rebate (currently set at 25 per cent) on private health insurance to provide immediate premium relief.
They want the government to mandate greater transparency around pricing and performance for hospitals, as well as for individual clinicians.
We want health insurance members to be in control of their healthcare, and that can only occur if consumers are empowered with access to information on price and performance of healthcare providers,” Mr Koce says.
“Sadly, it is easier to compare a fridge for price and performance than something as important as a medical specialist or hospital before going under the knife.”
They’re also asking for the law against private health insurers covering patients’ out-of-pocket GP expenses to be repealed, saying it will deliver better health outcomes and reduce hospitalisations overall.
Finally, Members Health wants private health insurance premiums to be exempt from the Fringe Benefits Tax, which they say currently disincentivises employers from offering health care benefits to employees.
“Mandating these reforms to improve affordability, access and empower consumers and GPs to select the right clinician and hospital, is long overdue.”
Would you support these changes to health insurance? What else could they improve? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Should you pause health insurance when going overseas?
