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NewsThe Results are in: FiftyUps send a message to the Federal Health Minister
The Results are in: FiftyUps send a message to the Federal Health Minister

The Results are in: FiftyUps send a message to the Federal Health Minister

Tags: Consumer Action Cost of Living Insurance Private Health Insurance
Last updated by John Mangos on

John MangosFederal Health Minister Peter Dutton, here I come.

I am looking forward to our meeting next week, where I hope to be the voice for more than 90,000 FiftyUp Club members on health care costs.

Something tells me it will be a very productive meeting. I will bring with me the results of a survey, which more than 11,000 FiftyUps have answered in just over a week.

That’s an astonishing sample by any pollster’s measure, and Mr Dutton will learn that we are fair and reasonable in what we are asking for.

For example, 60% of we FiftyUps agree that our health system is unsustainable and 70% are prepared to contribute a small amount to our own health care costs if it helps balance the Federal Budget.

We have always said we are prepared to do some of the heavy lifting, and these figures prove it.

However 30% told us that planned GP co-payments would force them to avoid the doctor when sick, or burden a hospital instead. On this I am sure the Minister has seen his own private polling, and our numbers will back it up.

Mr Dutton won’t be pleased about this next figure: a huge 40% of you say co-payments and Health Insurance prices are likely to change how you will vote at the next election. Ouch!

No Minister likes to hear that.

I will break down our survey results in my meeting with him so that you can be assured he is hearing your collective concerns.

How can I not bring to his attention the fact that 20% of you, one in five, see a GP on average more than 10 times a year? Let’s do the math. If you go say 10 times, multiply that by $7 and there’s an extra $70, and that’s before the extra charges at say pathology or x-ray.

To be fair, the Minister will also learn 32% of FiftyUps will have no trouble paying it, but he will also have confirmed that many of our members are just plain doing it tough.

A whopping 64% say co-payments will force patients to avoid the doctor when sick. None of us wants that to happen.

I will, of course, tell him that many FiftyUps have been forced to reduce their cover, and that an overwhelming 80% of us want more publicity and transparency about information from the different health insurers about increases to charges to FiftyUps – as the FiftyUp Club has repeatedly called for.

Thank you for responding to our survey, if you have. If not, it’s still not too late to add your voice. It’s free to join the Club, and obligation-free, at www.FiftyUpClub.com so get on board and fill out the 3-minute survey.

I will continue to keep you posted on developments.

Originally posted on .

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The Results are in: FiftyUps send a message to the Federal Health Minister

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Joyce
Joyce from NSW commented:

The biggest problem is that so many specialists and doctors charge well over the schedule fee. That leaves patients out of pocket big time. For example, recently an anaesthatist charged wanted to charge me $114 over the schedule fee and I balked at that. He added insult to injury by putting on my account that I would receive a 10% discount if I paid within 2 weeks. As an retired medical secretary I rang his surgery and politely told them how grossly he was overcharging and promptly received an "amended bill" for the schedule fee plus 10%. A very large difference in what he proposed I pay at first. So the Government needs to amend the schedule fee or pull those doctors into line charging grossly over the scheduled fee. This will help patients enormously and that would free up more of OUR money to meet our medical needs. 

Lindsay
Lindsay from NSW commented:

THESE POLL RESULTS ARE VERY PREDICTABLE AND SO IS THE FACT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO PAY ANYMORE TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE WELFARE MENTALITY IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL . 

Francis
Francis from NSW commented:

Dear John. Many years ago Goff Whitlam expressed concern at the billions of dollars the private funds had in reserve and planned to look into it but was voted out before any action took place. I have been with MBF/BUPA for 56 years but have received very little in pay outs(lucky in some respects) but have paid premiums in tens of thousands of dollars. How about a decent discount for long time members. Good Luck Francis Tate Bowral 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

In the interest of demonstrating the club's commitment to transparency, the club should publish or email the final results of the survey, as they will be presented to the Health Minister, so that members are privy to the same information that is to be presented to the Health Minister, on their behalf. 

ruth
ruth from NSW commented:

this concept is a great idea and any savings I get from joining will be a big help to my budget 

Col
Col from NSW commented:

senior pensioners need more help to deal with the cost of living. 

Karin
Karin from QLD commented:

The 10 visit cap that has been talked about, is only for people with concession cards. Not all over 50's have one of those. So for them, it will be full priced doctors and prescriptions. Something that I could not even begin to afford. 

Dudley
Dudley from QLD commented:

It seems now that the Gov is being forced to make changes. I guess we will have to wait and see. 

Monty
Monty from QLD commented:

The Health minister needs to study the Taiwanese National Health Insurance System (NHIS), this can be viewed on the inernet and covers every conceivable health need and costs the taxpayer approximately 6% of GDP. The Taiwanese have taken the best of all the health systems around the worl and have stayed away from USA considered the worst. This issue has been brought up with State (Qld) and Federal Governments in the past but no one is interested!! Yet, willy nilly we are going down the same path of USA. 

graham
graham from QLD commented:

The part of the $7 copayment to the 20million dollar HEALTH RESEARCH FUND seems a bit sus,as to however whenever the accumulated funds are used, especially when the BUDGET is SUPPOSEDLY in dire straits. Australians must learn they have to pay for their ticket on the GRAVY TRAIN, one must admit for years they have been and still are increasingly riding the bldy thing and it needs refuelling at the next stop,paying for the ticket no doubt will buy the fuel to keep it rolling as it has for all these past years... 

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