Expanded Powers for Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

The Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbot MHR, has announced that from 1 July 2006 the Government will be strengthening the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO).

The Government hopes the proposed changes will increase the effectiveness of the PHIO in resolving complaints. Areas under consideration include:
- expanding the cover of PHIO to include complaints by and in relation to additional health service providers;
- expanding the types of documents PHIO can require eg including health funds and health provider contracts;
- enabling the PHIO to mediate contract disputes;
- expanding the powers of the PHIO to make recommendations about the practices and procedures of health service providers (such as dentists); and
- ensuring that the PHIO and PHIO staff are protected from civil and personal liability from the increased powers.

The Government says it is consulting with the private health sector about these proposed changes and that it welcomes feedback and input, such as written submissions. These consultations are to be completed by the end of December 2005.

For further information phone (02) 6289 9853 (24 hr answering machine) or email an enquiry to PrivateHealth@health.gov.au