TODAY's ACCC report into private health insurers paints a disturbing picture of deceptive behaviour and declining affordability and value driving the industry’s current ‘death spiral’.

It also casts a shadow over today’s calls by the nation’s largest health insurers to remove current rules protecting patient access to the best and latest medical technology.

The ACCC report cites multiple examples where the big corporate insurers have tried to deny their customers access to essential medical treatments, while at the same raising patient premiums and out of pockets.

Thanks to the ACCC report, this alleged tendering ‘policy reform’ from private health insurers has therefore been today exposed as nothing but a front to put profits before patients.

The ACCC report is also further proof as to why it is not just unethical, but medically unsafe, for private health insurers to be given more power than doctors when it comes to making decisions in the best interest of patients.

The likes of Medibank, Bupa, NIB and HCF have already undermined consumer confidence in their own products through their 'smash and grab' approach to keeping their businesses afloat.

The Federal Government cannot afford for private health insurers to also now undermine patient confidence in their doctors.

This will not only spell an end to private health insurance as we know it, but irreparable damage Australia’s health system as a whole.

Key quotes from the ACCC report:

“The costs of private health insurance continued to be of concern to consumers.” (p1)

“In 2018  –19, private health insurance participation rates continued to decline, while average gap payments for in-hospital and extras treatment increased.” (p1)

“Cumulative premium increases have been higher than inflation and wage growth in the past five years, indicating that households with private health insurance are contributing an increasing proportion of their incomes to paying premiums. (p1)

“When gap payments have been incurred by consumers for hospital treatment, these increased on average by 1.9 percent, with an increase of almost 4 percent for extras treatment. (p5)

“The ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court on 2 September 2019 against Medibank Private Limited trading as ‘ahm’ (Medibank), alleging that Medibank falsely represented to members holding ahm “lite” or “boost” policies, who were making claims or enquiries, that they were not entitled to cover for joint investigations or reconstruction procedures, when in fact their policies covered these procedures. (p21)

“The ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court in May 2017 against NIB alleging it contravened the ACL by engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct and making false or misleading representations. The proceedings arise from NIB’s alleged failure to notify members in advance of its decision to remove certain eye procedures from its ‘MediGap Scheme’ in 2015. Under the MediGap Scheme, members had previously been able to obtain these eye procedures without facing out-of-pocket costs when doctors participated in the scheme.” (p22)

“As noted in the ACCC’s 2017-18 Private health insurance report to the Australian Senate, the PHIO released a report into hospital policy changes announced by Bupa in February 2018, in which benefits would no longer be paid for a range of services previously covered under its basic and mid-level hospital policies. (p23)

www.accc.gov.au

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AUSTRALIAN Made Campaign partner, Oz-Town, is hosting an Australian Pavilion at this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) and is inviting Australian manufacturers to register their interest.

Branded with the iconic Australian Made logo, the Oz-Town Australian Pavilion aims to provide an effective platform for Aussie exporters to showcase their genuine Australian products and connect with buyers, retailers and distributors.

Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce for the People's Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, CIIE is an annual Chinese trade fair and the world's first import-themed national-level expo. This year it will be held in Shanghai China from November 5-10, 2020. 

With the support of the Australian Made Campaign (AMCL), Oz-Town plans to establish an Australian Pavilion with areas dedicated to Food & Agriculture, Lifestyle and Health & Medical.

Oz-Town will arrange for several China-based business partners to attend the Australian Pavilion, while also hosting several 'business matching' events to connect exhibitors with buyers and retailers.

In 2019, more than 80 China-based businesses (buyers/retailers) visited the Oz-Town Australian Pavilion. Oz-Town also arranged several 'business matching' events, resulting in US$100m worth of sales contracts.

This opportunity is suitable for exporters of Australian products looking to break into or grow their market share in China.

An Oz-Town CIIE webinar will be held on on March 18 at bit.ly/AustralianPavilion.

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A FEDERAL Parliament inquiry into regional Australia is starting its investigations by touring and meeting with regional business and community members in Tasmania.

House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia Chair Tony Pasin saidTassie was the perfect place to start an inquiry into the regions.

"We want to hear about what works, and what doesn’t," Mr Pasin said.

"We will be visiting local success stories in the Launceston and Hobart areas, including innovative economic development group Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone and startup hub Enterprize.

"In Hobart, we will explore the 'MONA effect' and hear about how regional areas can benefit from tourism dollars – and the challenges such a shift can create," he said.

Roundtable discussions on Regional Business and Regional Community will be held in Launceston, and a roundtable discussion on Regional Tourism will be held in Hobart.

Community members are encouraged to attend and speak to the Committee as part of the roundtable discussions, and can contact the secretariat for more information.

Information on the Committee’s work, including submissions and public hearing programs, may be found on the Committee’s webpage.

Regional Business Roundtable

Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Time: 10.30am to 11.45am
Location: George Town Library Hub, 12 Elizabeth St, George Town

Regional Community Roundtable

Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Location: Macquarie House, 92 Cameron St, Launceston

Regional Tourism Roundtable

Date: Thursday, 12 March 2020
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Location: Eros Room, Museum of Old and New Art, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale

The roundtable discussions will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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TODAY, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is launching a new initiative to help Victorian business survive under tough business conditions exacerbated by the bushfire and coronavirus crises.

The initiative, offered for the first time, will waive membership fees for one year for all Victorian businesses up to a value of $700. Existing members will receive an additional $500 credit.

The Victorian Chamber has developed the initiative in response to business concerns, with many members reporting they may have to close their doors after being hit hard by the impacts of bushfires and coronavirus.

"Waiving membership fees is not a decision we made lightly; we made this decision because business owners have told us they are struggling," Victorian Chamber chief executive Paul Guerra said. ". We want to make sure Victorian businesses have the best chance of success.

"Businesses need to be supported, with a well-trained workforce and plan for growth. This initiative helps businesses navigate all the pressures they are facing by giving them a support base that’s got their back," he said.

“The Victorian Chamber advocates on behalf of businesses, but when they are not doing so well, we need to help. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions and this is certainly something the Chamber has never done before.

“We’ve been the voice of Victorian business for 167 years and we listen to our members. They have told us what they need and we will address this by giving them access to practical help to steer them to success.”

The initiative is open to every Victorian business because we believe that Victorian business needs our help and we want to make sure every business, no matter its size, can access the expert services it needs to see a way back to profit.

As part of the year-long initiative, the Victorian Chamber will hold a series of roadshows in metropolitan and regional Victoria throughout the year where businesses will have an opportunity to discuss concerns, gain information on growing their profits and provide feedback and information on the issues they want the Chamber to raise with government policy makers.

Local, state and federal politicians will be invited to attend so that they can hear directly from business.

The Victorian Chamber initiative is supported by services offered pro bono from some of our members, who will be able to steer and advise businesses what they can do to keep their business afloat and work towards growth. Information on the services offered is available at victorianchamber.com.au.

To be attributed to :

“The Victorian Chamber advocates on behalf of businesses, but when they are not doing so well, we need to help. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions and this is certainly something the Chamber has never done before.

“We’ve been the voice of Victorian business for 167 years and we listen to our members. They have told us what they need and we will address this by giving them access to practical help to steer them to success.”