Stretching The Boundaries
Private Health Insurance Reforms: Opportunities and Challenges

Conference Details

Hon Dr Michael Armitage, Chief Executive Officer, AHIA

The impending reforms to the Private Health Insurance legislation are potentially the most significant changes to the delivery of healthcare in Australia in several decades. It is clear that the manner in which the reforms are implemented by different industry sectors will determine the eventual value of the reforms to the Australian health consumer.

This session will provide an opportunity for varied Industry Sectors to discuss what they see as the outcomes of the implementation of the reforms.

Ms Christine Gee, President APHA

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, President, Australian Medical Association

Consumers are becoming more and more demanding of the health care system as technology becomes more sophisticated. Increasingly available expertise and modern therapies are leading to an impending dramatic rise in costs over the horizon.

This session will examine the science behind some of the medical advances, and will provide an opportunity to gauge the cost implications for consumers, the Government, and the whole health sector.

A number of private health insurers have established entities with the aim of funding and promoting health and medical research in Australia.

The ahm Health and Medical Research Fund, the HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation and the MBF Foundation have all been established with the aim of funding and supporting Australian health and medical research, the outcomes of which are designed to benefit not only those with Private Health Insurance but the community as a whole.

Research funding commitments in excess of $10m have been made by these organisations in the last twelve months. Speakers on the program are all researches whose work has benefited from funding and support provided by these organisations.

Stem Cells for Heart Disease: hype or hope?

(14 MB ppt)

Clinical Errors: Their Causes and Frequency in Australian Hospitals

(2 MB ppt)

dNet Work Centre

(235 KB ppt)

Healthcare spending - Private Health Insurance in perspective

As important a component as it is, Private Health Insurance remains a relatively small and constricted source of funding Australia burgeoning healthcare expenditure. In fact, its relative role has actually declined in recent years notwithstanding increased PHI participation within the population.

This session will examine trends in healthcare expenditure and possible implications for private funding and PHI insurers.

(812 KB ppt)

(236 KB ppt)

Quality in Healthcare has traditionally involved processes such as accreditation, and risk management through systems and activities focused on limiting adverse events. Whilst addressing the human and financial costs of adverse events is an industry priority, it is also time for us to look at the quality of health care from a value perspective - is the care appropriate and effective?

This session addresses the challenge for the industry to move to a more long term quality approach that ensures the investment in health care delivers better health outcomes.