Private hospitals welcome sensible path to prostheses reforms

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Private hospitals welcome sensible path to prostheses
reforms
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has welcomed the Governments' approach to
Prostheses List reform announced in the Federal Budget.

APHA CEO Michael Roff said there was broad agreement across the sector that pricing reform of
prostheses was required.

"While there is still much detail to be worked through, the pathway the Government has chosen to bring
public and private sector prostheses prices into line appears sensible and is consistent with the approach
advocated by APHA.

"A phased approach to pricing reform will enable necessary changes to be made in a planned and
managed way, allowing continued access by doctors to a full range of technologies for their patients while
minimising any shocks to the system.

"We are pleased the Government has rejected the radical DRG funding model, which would have resulted
in significant cost increases for consumers, a reduction in choice of technologies and threatened the
viability of many private hospitals.

"They have listened to the sector and we look forward to engaging constructively on the reform
consultations.

In addition, APHA welcomed recognition of the need for an improved understanding of the effectiveness of
private hospital default benefit arrangements in supporting out-of-hospital care for more Australian patients.

This study needs to look at how private hospitals have been held back from providing innovative patient
centred care; particularly in mental health and rehabilitation.

Mr Roff said there were some issues he was disappointed not to see addressed in the Budget.

"There have not been any changes that will meaningfully reduce the cost of private health insurance for
low-income earners, many of whom have struggled through the pandemic. In the years since it was
introduced, the effective rate of the health insurance rebate has been reduced from 30 percent to less than
25 percent. Low-income households face a 'double whammy' of increased premiums and reduced rebates
because every year the value of their private health insurance rebate goes down.

"The Federal Government had an opportunity in the 2021 Budget to provide significant relief to
these families and make the rebate count again, but unfortunately that has been missed. Not only that, but
the policies have been locked in for another two years, effectively meaning the rebate's value will be
reduced further."
-ENDSMedia contact: Frith Rayner, Director Communications and Marketing, 0413 971 999
Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) is the largest peak industry body representing the private hospital and day
surgery sector. The private hospital sector treats 4.6 million patients a year, including treatment of more than a third of
chemotherapy, about 60 percent of all surgery, 60 percent of all elective musculoskeletal surgery.

Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

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