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What Does The HCF And Healthscope Termination Mean For You

In case you haven't heard yet, Healthscope – a private healthcare provider with 39 hospitals across Australia – has moved to terminate their contract with health fund HCF.

🫱 Similar to the Bupa situation earlier this year, HCF and Healthscope were not able to agree on terms.

🔍 This basically means that from February 1, 2023, HCF members who attend a Healthscope facility may need to pay extra costs as determined by Healthscope.

👀 HCF says that members will be covered for 'certain' treatments that they have booked in before January 31 – like obstetrics.

Be aware: February is the key date to look out for. That's when the current agreement between HCF and Healthscope expires, assuming they can't resolve their differences.

What you need to know?

HCF is Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund with 1.8 million members.

• The Healthscope hospitals make up 38 of the HCF 479 hospitals – or almost 8% of their network.

• Disputes like this are not uncommon between insurers and private healthcare providers as they haggle over costs. Earlier this year, a dispute between Bupa and Ramsay Hospitals went right to the wire.

• There are Healthscope hospitals in the ACT, NSW (particularly the Northern Beaches and Hills area), Qld, Vic, SA and WA.

Beware: Until April 30, 2023 you can attend a Healthscope ER in an emergency and pay only your normal gaps in cover – but after that date you could pay more, as it will be determined by Healthscope.

The bottom line

It's a wait and see situation at the moment but one that could have a big impact for customers, especially those in the Northern Beaches of Sydney where choice is limited.

🌈 There is hope though, Bupa and Ramsay were able to find an agreement just three weeks after they terminated their contract so maybe HCF and Healthscope can too.

Read more:

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The information contained on this web page is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. You should check with a financial professional before making any decisions.