While new extras from Australia’s biggest health insurers claim to offer customers more bang for their buck, consumer advocates warn it could be contributing to a two-tiered healthcare system.
Health insurer Bupa is trialing a scheme offering three virtual GP visits each year, free of charge, to about 1 million customers with extras cover.
The program needed special approval from the federal Health Department, because current law prohibits private insurers from covering out-of-hospital medical services like GP visits and certain diagnostic testing.
With other health insurance companies moving to offer similar perks to offset high premiums, Consumers Health Forum of Australia chief executive Elizabeth Deveny said the incentives could encourage a system where wealth determines access to care.
“I think Australians all want everyone to get a fair go with their healthcare and don’t want these divides to deepen and continue to grow,” Deveny said.
She also aired concerns the extras weren’t offsetting stress on the public system.
“My question would be what pressure is being taken off by up to three visits from a GP? doesn’t seem like a lot of pressure in the system more broadly,” Deveny said.
While the extras have attracted criticism from certain sectors of the industry, private insurers claim it’s helping make entry-level care accessible to all of its customers.
“We do worry and like to look for areas where we can provide value,” Bupa’s Dr Simon Benson said.
“By providing these set number of sessions with zero out of pocket, we’re also supporting our members at a time where cost of living is high.”
Medibank customer Ruth Bolster became an advocate for the insurer’s 24-hour nurse-on-call hotline, after calling it for medical advice when she suffered a detachment in her eye.
“I called the 24-hour nurse line and got a really lovely lady,” she said.
“She said I think you need to go straight to hospital and you should not drive.”
Medibank’s Milosh Milisavljevic said the phone service supports a range of medical needs for customers.
“(It) can be anywhere from coughs and colds, stomach or chest pain, or medications review or post-hospital support,” he said.
