Skip to content
CharitiesAidWelfare, Medical Health Aged Care

Alliance raises concerns over new health insurance extras

National Rural Health Alliance 2 mins read

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) voices concern over new extras offered by some of Australia’s biggest health insurers with the claim that they will be an offset to high premiums.

 

A major private health insurer is now trialling a new scheme offering three free virtual General Practitioner (GP) visits each year with extras cover. Other health insurance companies are exploring similar “perks”. Such new offers need special approval from the Department of Health and Aged Care, as private insurers are currently prohibited from out-of-hospital medical services like GP visits and certain diagnostic testing.  

 

“While this might appear beneficial for consumers in reducing the cost-of-living crisis, a reduction in private health premiums and increased support on out-of-pocket costs is much more meaningful. Primary care is not the core business of private health insurers. Entering the primary care part of the health system without collaboration or being part of the existing primary care team can exacerbate the healthcare accessibility challenges already prevalent in rural, regional and remote communities,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

 

“The remit for private insurers is to fund tertiary, secondary and extras care and do so generously and equitably, rather than expand into primary care. Patients deserve holistic care with their multidisciplinary primary care providers, who know the patient's journey rather than confuse the patient and care providers.

 

“Expansion into primary care could also detract from vital government support for local services in rural and remote areas that need continuous funding. While virtual GP consultations may partly suffice for certain health issues, they cannot replace face-to-face health care. It can also potentially impact the continuity of care.

 

“Rates of private health insurance coverage reduce with remoteness. So, it would be much more helpful if the private health insurance industry provided more support and equity to those who are covered under private health insurance, but are not able to access the full complement of services and rebates purely, due to their postcode,” Ms Tegen said.

 

The Alliance urges the government to reassess these developments concerning primary healthcare funding of services and ensure that rural communities and their clinicians are supported to provide services and are not left out in the healthcare equation.


About us:

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 52 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators and students.


Contact details:

Kathya de Silva, Media and Communications Officer, National Rural Health Alliance,

media@ruralhealth.org.au 0470 487 608 

Media

More from this category

  • Environment, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 16:15
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

ILLAWARRA MAN FINED $3000 FOR ILLEGAL SOLARIUM OPERATIONS

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a Wollongong man two penalty notices—each carrying the maximum fine of $1500—for allegedly operating an illegal solarium business in the Illawarra region. An investigation launched by the NSW EPA last November revealed the man was providing covert solarium services out of two residential properties in West Wollongong and Warrawong, where he reportedly charged individuals $35 for 35 minutes of tanning bed use. In NSW, charging a fee for solarium use has been illegal since 2014 due to the significant health risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including an increased risk of skin…

  • Contains:
  • CharitiesAidWelfare, Government Federal
  • 07/02/2025
  • 15:06
Community Housing Industry Association

CHIA welcomes allocation of grants to improve veteran housing

CHIA welcomes allocation of grants to improve veteran housing The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) has welcomed the allocation of $30 million in federal government funding to address veteran housing and homelessness. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs today announced 13 grants have been awarded to 10 ex-service organisations and veteran-aware Community Housing Providers as part of the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program. Part of this money is being funded by the Housing Australia Future Fund, and will include $24 million in capital works to bolster the availability of crisis and transitional housing, while another $6 million will go towards addressing risk…

  • Legal, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 07/02/2025
  • 14:50
Slater and Gordon

Asbestos warning for residents affected by Queensland floods

As the clean-up continues across Queensland after widespread flooding, residents are being urged to be cautious of asbestos. Hannah Murray, Associate in Dust Diseases and Asbestos at Slater and Gordon Lawyers, warns that the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibres can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive terminal cancer for which there is no cure. “There’s a real concern that residents may start the clean-up process without taking precautions. "The material will already be disturbed from the flood damaged, and that increases the chance and danger of breathing in the deadly fibres,” Ms Murray said. In Australia a staggering 1 in 3…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.