Pharmacy Daily | AMA tells Healthscope to “sort it out”

THE Australian Medical Association (AMA) has expressed "grave concern" over Healthscope's announcement that it will terminate contracts with Bupa and funds represented by AHSA (PD 22 Nov).

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said that unless all parties can come to an agreement before the contracts are terminated in Feb and Mar 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.

The AMA has been in contact with all parties to "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.