Health Insurance in Australia is primarily offered by the government itself, in the form of Medicare scheme. The private health operator can provide insurance for covering the costs of being a private patient in a private or public clinic, medical costs of hospitalization, and expenditures of services not covered under Medicare (such as ambulance, natural therapies and private dental care). Health insurance funds provide infirmary covers and auxiliary covers and a combination of these. Organizations registered under the National Health Act 1953 can provide private health insurance. Two types of private health funds are found: funds open to the general public and restricted membership organizations (such as employees of a particular firm or industry).
The Private Health Insurance Administration Council, a statutory authority, registers and monitors private health insurance funds. A voluntary, self-regulatory industry code called the Private Health Insurance Code of Conduct is adhered to by private health insurance providers. The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, an autonomous Australian Government agency deals with complaints and inquiries about any aspect of private health insurance and is independent of the private health funds and health service providers.
The slabs for senior citizen rebates start from 65years – 30%, for people aged between 65-69years receive a discount of 35% and for 70 years and above it is 40%. Australians maintaining policies taken out before 1 st July 2000 pay only a base rate regardless of age because of the Lifetime Health Cover initiative. The principle of community rating allows affordable access to private health insurance for all. Regardless of the health status or claims history of a member or new members the insurance premium is the same. The hospital and medical costs of high risk members admitted to infirmaries are shared between health insurers because reinsurance supports the principle of community rating . A reinsurance pool is contributed to by funds with a greater proportion of low risk members and those with a greater proportion of high risk members receive transfers from it.
The following list provides an insight into the prominent private health insurance providers:
Australian Health Insurance Association
AHIA represents health funds from the Australian private health insurance industry. Its main objective is to advance the interests of its members and their contributors in their dealings with governments, the media and other organizations in health care.
Australian Health Insurance and International Medical Assistance Network
Providing health insurance for Temporary Residents sponsored to work in Australia. 24 hour emergency medical assistance service.
Alexandra District Ambulance Services (ADAS)
ADAS manages an ambulance subscription scheme that covers members Australia wide. More...
NIB Health Funds Limited
Australian Health Management Group Limited
CBHS Friendly Society Limited
CBHS is a restricted membership health fund, providing health cover for past and present employees and their dependents, of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.
Latrobe Health Services Inc
In addition to the traditional member benefits, members may enjoy discounted membership arrangements with fitness centers in the Latrobe Valley and Melbourne areas.
St Luke's Health Insurance
St. Lukes Health has been providing private health insurance to Australians since 1952.
Membership is open across all States of Australia.
Mutual Community
Mutual Community is owned and operated by BUPA, a leading international health insurance and health care organization.
International Medical Assistance Network (IMAN)
IMAN has insured the health of Temporary Residents and Overseas Visitors Working in Australia since 1981.
Territory Insurance Office
Insurance and financial services tailor made for the people living in the Northern Territory.
Health Insurance Fund of Western Australia
The funds' product range includes specific products to meet the needs of regional members.
Medibank Private
A not-for-profit health fund, an autonomous Federal Government Business Enterprise.
GMHBA
Affordable health covers for regional Australians.
The private operators in the field of health insurance in Australia merely fill up the gaps in coverage of the public scheme.
References:
The Victorian Ambulance Service
Druids Friendly Society
GMF Health
Health Care Insurance Ltd
Queensland Country Health Ltd
SGIO
The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF)
