Wait, what? A private hospital operator and private insurers are cooperating to improve patient outcomes. Who knew?
Not-for-profit health and aged care services provider St Vincent’s has formed a new partnership with private health insurer Australian Regional Health Group to provide hospital-in-the-home services to fund members.
The ARHG represents three not-for-profit private health insurance funds – Hunter Health Insurance, Mildura Health Fund, and St Luke’s Health – which predominantly provide cover to members in rural and regional areas.
The two-year deal will provide ARHG funds and their members with “certainty over their health and care expenses” while limiting out-of-pocket costs at St Vincent’s private hospitals in New South Wales (three), Victoria (four), and Queensland (three).
Under the new agreement, the two organisations will “examine opportunities” to trial more hospital-in-the-home’ services, so members can continue to access St Vincent’s clinical and allied health support after they’ve returned home to rural and remote parts of Australia.
St Vincent’s Private Hospitals acting CEO, Richard Ryan said, in a climate where relationships between private hospital providers and private health insurers were often challenging, it was good to celebrate an agreement based on “collaboration, transparency, and respect”.
“Private hospital providers and private health funds have a symbiotic relationship,” said Mr Ryan.
“They rely on each other. They need each other. And they’re obligated to work together for the benefit of patients and members.
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“The agreement with ARHG has been refreshing in that it was reached with a genuine desire – not only to reach a deal that satisfied both parties and their patients and members – but one which looked to the future of private healthcare, and how we might deliver on changing patient needs.
“There is a genuine spirit between our two organisations, captured in this agreement, to look at ways where we can deliver care to patients and members in a way that suits their needs and busy lives.”
ARHG’s CEO Steven Muir acknowledged the work of both teams to reach a “mutually beneficial” agreement, while keeping the patient at the centre of discussions.
“This agreement balances the need for cost efficiencies with a desire to improve member and patient experience – something that is key to ARHG’s member-owned health funds,” said Mr Muir.
“Improving access to healthcare is critical to bridging the gap in healthcare outcomes between people living in rural and regional areas and those living in metropolitan areas.
“St Vincent’s is to be commended on exploring innovative ways these services can be delivered.”