Bupa to advance patient care
November 10, 2010
AUSTRALIANS suffering chronic
illness are set to benefit from
today’s launch of the telephone-based
health coaching service,
Bupa Health Dialog.
Bupa is the owner of health fund
MBF and operates Health Dialog in
other markets, providing health
support phone calls to patients
living with chronic illnesses with the
aim of educating patients and
improving self management, quality
of life and reducing both individual
and healthcare system costs.
The phone calls are made by
Bupa’s team of experienced nurses,
and are designed to support the
relationship already established
between patients and their doctor.
In Australia the calls will be
offered free of charge to up to
40,000 eligible patients, members
of the health insurance companies
MBF, HBA and Mutual Community.
Whilst 40,000 patients is the
initial target, Bupa’s general
manager Brett Comer told PD that
“all things going well, we’ll reach
out to more customers”.
Bupa said it aims to have 18,000
patient members by Christmas.
“We look forward to delivering
holistic health coaching that
Bupa to advance patient care
enables Australians to take control
of their health and wellbeing –
particularly those with chronic
conditions such as diabetes,
chronic heart disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary (airways)
disease, asthma and lower back
pain,” said Comer.
Currently several state governments
and non-governmental
organisations have expressed
interest in taking part in the
scheme, with Comer also telling PD
that the company was hoping to
attract GP groups who would use
the service to supplement their
patient care programs.
“Governments and professional
bodies have consistently highlighted
the tidal wave of chronic disease
facing Australians and our health
care system,” said Dr Christine
Bennett, chief medical officer of
Bupa Health Dialog.
“Bupa Health Dialog is a clear
demonstration of an innovative and
tangible reform that will help
deliver better health outcomes and
an improved patient experience”
she added.
See www.bupahealthdialog.com.
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