Surgeon's Action Highlights Inappropriate 'Preferred Provider' Lists
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, today expressed support for prominent surgeon, Dr Graeme Brazenor, in his planned legal action against Medibank Private over his inclusion on a no-gaps private health preferred provider list.
As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Brazenor, President of the Society of Australian Surgeons, was listed on Medibank Private's GapCover list without his permission.
Dr Phelps said that Dr Brazenor's opposition to the health funds' no gaps campaign is well known in the profession and the health sector.
"Like the AMA, Dr Brazenor is a staunch critic of the health funds' campaign and the way it was introduced without proper consultation with the medical profession," Dr Phelps said.
"The AMA has been flooded with complaints from doctors who have been listed without their knowledge or permission and others who have been inappropriately listed in regard to their specialty, skills or expertise.
"The bottom line is that the health funds have no place recommending selected doctors to their members, especially when the prime motivation is price, and not the appropriate specialist skills or experience necessary to deal with an individual patient's needs.
"General practitioners are the acknowledged experts when referring patients for specialist care.
"We must put a stop to the Americanisation of the Australian health system, whereby the health funds muscle in as the self-appointed experts on primary health care.
"Dr Brazenor's action will be watched closely and supported by the medical profession," Dr Phelps said
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076