Posted by Michael Wonder on 06 Mar 2018
Health Minister orders investigation into health insurer Bupa after alarming announcements
6 March 2018 - Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has ordered the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman to investigate health fund Bupa for its decision to overhaul its medical gap scheme, which doctors have blasted as "one big leap towards US-style managed care".
Bupa, one of Australia's biggest health insurers, told doctors that insured patients will only be eligible for gap cover if they are treated at a Bupa-contracted hospital or day-stay facility. It will come into effect in August.
Bupa said this only affected doctors in public hospitals and four per cent of beds in the private system, but the Australian Medical Association has warned the change was a harbinger of US-style managed care.
