FED: Same care costs more in private hospitals survey

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-1998
FED: Same care costs more in private hospitals survey

CANBERRA, Dec 3 AAP - Private patients pay around 25 per cent more than public patients for
the same standard of treatment, a study released today shows.

The report, produced by Wollongong University for the Australian Healthcare Association
(AHA), found the average cost of the same care was at least 26 per cent more for private
patients in private hospitals ($2,854), compared with public patients in public hospitals
($2,258).

Study author Roy Harvey said the extra costs derived from private hospital administration,
more services in private hospitals, and larger bills for private specialists.

"They get the same quality of care, as far as anyone can tell," Mr Harvey said.

AHA national director Don Hindle said the main problem was not the private hospitals
themselves but more costly practices of doctors and inefficiencies of private insurers.

"If we are paying an extra $596 every time a privately insured patient is admitted to a
private hospital, everyone suffers in the end," Prof Hindle said in a statement.

"Can we as a nation afford to spend 26 per cent more to provide the same care, when
everyone knows people are being rationed - waiting for care, being denied important treatments
through shortages of staff and equipment, and so on?"

The analysis was based on figures from the Commonwealth, the Health Insurance Commission
and private insurers.

The Senate is expected to begin debating next week the government's proposed 30 per cent
non-means tested rebate for private health cover.

AAP kaw/mfh/rap

KEYWORD: INSURANCE (CARRIED EARLIER)

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