Australian Medical Association slams BUPA Australia

Jan 20 2005

Australian Medical Association President, Dr Bill Glasson, today slammed claims by health insurer, BUPA Australia, that doctors are forcing up the cost of patient care in private hospitals by ordering the most expensive drugs and medical technology.

The BUPA claims are contained in a submission to the Productivity Commission, which has been reported in today's The Australian newspaper.

Dr Glasson said it is disingenuous for health funds to blame doctors for higher costs in private hospitals.

"This is another classic private health fund 'hospital pass' to the doctors," Dr Glasson said.

"Doctors will always provide the most appropriate drugs, treatment, tests and prostheses for every individual patient's needs.

"In dealing with human life and quality of life, it is wrong to focus on costs, but it is a medical reality that some of the best treatments may be more expensive.

"It would be unethical not to offer patients the better health outcomes that can be achieved by the latest prostheses and drugs.

"The fact that there are different prices in the public and private sectors is not the fault of doctors. It suggests that the public sector is a more efficient purchaser of prostheses than private health insurers.

"The Government is currently introducing new prostheses arrangements that will put competitive pressure on price and ensure a proper focus on evidence regarding safety and efficacy. BUPA has been involved in this process.

"It would be better for patients and the health sector if BUPA looked at its own costs and premiums rather than trying use doctors as scapegoats for their own inefficiencies," Dr Glasson said.