The Australian Medical Association is once again urging Healthscope, Bupa and the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA) to immediately resolve their respective funding disputes for the sake of patients.
Healthscope's announcement that it will terminate contracts with Bupa and funds represented by AHSA is of grave concern to the AMA, as it means Australian patients face disruption to their planned surgeries or higher out-of-pocket costs.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said unless all parties can come to an agreement before the contracts are terminated in February and March next year, some patients may face higher out-of-pocket costs for care in Healthscope hospitals.
"Last month, when initial tensions emerged between Healthscope, Bupa and the AHSA, we warned of consequences for patients, who are merely innocent bystanders in these kinds of squabbles," Dr McMullen said.
"We have been in contact with all parties today to once again urge them to return to the negotiating table and sort out their disputes."
Dr McMullen said these kinds of disputes cause mass confusion for patients, who understandably start questioning whether they need to change health funds or seek care at a different hospital.
"This places doctors in difficult positions as their patients start asking them for advice on switching funds — but our focus as a profession is on providing the best possible clinical care, not becoming de-facto financial advisors," she said.
Dr McMullen said this latest development reinforced the need for a Private Health System Authority.
"These kinds of disputes seem to be breaking out more frequently, much to the annoyance of policy holders who need care, and doctors who just want to get on with the job of providing that care," Dr McMullen said.
"This highlights the urgent need for a Private Health System Authority, which can have a crucial role in helping solve disputes like those between Healthscope and Bupa and the AHSA.
"An independent authority can drive long-term reform and ensure the sector is appropriately regulated, ensuring patients get real value for money from their private health insurance."
In the meantime, the AMA urges all parties to strike a deal that puts the needs of patients first, while also delivering a reasonable return for all parties and recognising the rising costs of providing quality care.
