South West residents urged to review health cover

One of Australia’s leading health insurances companies is encouraging people in the South West to review their insurance polices as Federal Government reforms start to be put in place next month.

Medibank chief customer officer David Koczkar said the reforms were the biggest within the private health insurance industry in two decades.

“It’s a great time to review the level of coverage that you’re on and have a conversation with your insurer – whoever that is,” he said.

“They’re are options to improve affordability for big parts of the community and that can only be a good thing.

“It’s important to have a look and ask some questions — even some of the younger people who may think they’re slightly bullet proof there is peace of mind available that is more affordable.”

A raft of changes will start to be implemented from April 1 across the country and companies will have 12 months to ensure they are compliant with the changes.

One of the biggest changes will be standardised gold, silver, bronze and basic levels of hospital cover as well as standardised clinical categories for treatments.

“These change have been designed to provide transparency,” Mr Koczkar said.

“It means it will be made easier to compare and contrast cover.

“At Medibank and AHM we have been talking with our customers about making those changes — and will continue to do so to make it as easy as possible.

“From April 1 all of our new cover policies will be compliant.”

Along with a number of compulsory changes insurers can also choose whether or not to implement several optional recommendations.

Regional customers will be able potentially to claim up to $100 towards travel and accommodations expenses if they need to make a 200km round trip for a hospital admission.

Mr Koczkar said Medibank and AHM would go above and beyond to implement all of the optional recommendations.