AMA submission to the Department of Health Consultation Paper on Private Health Insurance Default Benefits Arrangements

Second-tier default benefits must be retained to ensure consumers continue to have choice of service provider and are protected from large out-of-pocket costs, which are both important to the value proposition of private health insurance.

In order for the private health sector to innovate, the regulatory framework needs to seek out new ways for doctors, hospitals, insurers and patients to deliver care options which are safe, efficacious, cost effective and continue to deliver value for consumers of private health insurance.