Ancillary benefits policies offered by private health insurers are an important means for Australians to access allied health services not properly covered by Medicare rebates. These benefits allow access allied health services that may prevent or delay the onset of complications of chronic conditions, reducing the need for more expensive interventions, including hospitalisation.
AHPA is increasingly working with Private Healthcare Australia and individual insurers in relation to issues such as telehealth and hospital substitution. AHPA is keen to support new and appropriate private health insurance-funded models of care that increase consumer access and improve outcomes without eroding allied health roles.