Not-for-profit health insurer HBF has reached an agreement with Ramsay Health Care that will see surgery become more affordable for eligible HBF members undergoing robotic-assisted procedures at Ramsay’s WA hospitals.
Robot technology is increasingly used in cancer surgery such as radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) and in the treatment of kidney and bladder cancer.
HBF’s Executive General Manager Insurance and Health Services Dr Daniel Heredia said the arrangement with Ramsay Health Care would alleviate the higher costs associated with robotic procedures, with the agreement removing the substantial co-payment previously paid by members undergoing robotic-assisted surgery.
“Affordability – out-of-pocket fees in particular – is one of the biggest pain points for our members,” he said.
“Procedures performed using a robotic surgical system have additional consumables that can be significantly more expensive than when the same surgery is performed using other surgical techniques.
“At a time when members are already distressed about their health, this is one less thing for them to worry about.”
Dr Heredia said as a not-for-profit insurer with no shareholders to pay, HBF had an ongoing commitment to driving better member outcomes, including ensuring out-of-pocket expenses were kept to a minimum.
“We take the responsibility of keeping our products affordable and accessible to our members very seriously,” he said.
“HBF is pleased to have reached this agreement with Ramsay Health Care that will deliver certainty, enhance the value of private health insurance and improve our members’ overall experience.”
HBF Media Contact: Lauren Underhill, HBF Corporate Affairs,
0438 925 050 / CorporateAffairs@hbf.com.au
About HBF
HBF was founded more than 80 years ago in Perth and has provided private health insurance to generations of Western Australians. HBF has expanded to be Australia's second largest not-for-profit health fund, providing hospital and ancillary insurance to approximately 1.1 million members nationwide. HBF is also becoming a more active participant in health services through the recent acquisition of physiotherapy business Life Ready, ongoing expansion of HBF Dental, its partnership with TerryWhite Chemmart outside of WA and an ongoing alliance with Pharmacy 777 in WA. HBF is committed to actively connecting with and supporting the communities in which it operates as a trusted member-based organisation. Visit hbf.com.au