Health insurance shakeup
November 2, 2015
Health minister Sussan Ley has
announced a public consultation
seeking consumer feedback on
private health insurance, with
former Guild president Kos Sclavos
calling on the pharmaceutical
industry to have a coordinated
approach to the review.
Sclavos said that when a patient
presents at a pharmacy with a
private prescription, most are
disappointed by the benefits
they receive under their ancillary
benefits private health insurance
cover, while “an alarming number
don’t even know they have
pharmacy extras (ancillary) cover”.
Ley has flagged the abolition of
the 30% rebate on ancillary cover,
which would mean government
rebates only cover hospital costs.
“The pharmaceutical industry
needs to come together to ensure
we have a unified approach, and
then approach the Government
review with a formed policy
to establish a viable private
prescription market that does have
government support, including
maintenance of the 30% rebate,”
Sclavos said.
He said there is currently a
pharmacy extras coverage structure
which varies greatly across health
providers.
“We have a plethora of different
models which are not understood
by doctor or pharmacists, leading
to patients not being given
appropriate advice,” Sclavos added.
He urged a roundtable discussion
be convened with Professor
Graeme Samuel, former ACCC
chairman, who has been engaged
to work with the department of
health to provide his technical
expertise to the private health
insurance review.
Sclavos now works with Sinapse,
which has developed a number of
patient support programs covering
private prescription medicines.
“Health funds should invest in
professional pharmacy programs,
within the ancillary pharmacy extras
cover, that maximise medication
compliance and concordance.
“It is in the interest of the health
fund that this occur,” Sclavos said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Nov 15To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 02 Nov 15
