Health service contracting group, Honeysuckle Health, acting on behalf of private health fund, nib, said the health fund and St Vincent’s private hospital group have reached agreement in contract negotiations.
St Vincent’s, which operates 10 private hospitals, remains in contract with nib, ensuring nib members can continue to limit their out-of-pocket costs for treatment at St Vincent’s facilities. Honeysuckle Health acknowledges the assistance provided by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman to both parties in this process.
“We are pleased to have reached agreement for nib and St Vincent’s, providing certainty and continuity of cover for nib members,” said Honeysuckle Health Chief Executive, Rhod McKensey. “Hospital costs filter through to premiums,” he said. “nib’s aim is to deliver value to members, and that includes containing insurance premium price rises.”
Mr McKensey said the revised funding agreement recognises the balance between hospital viability and premium price containment. He said both parties are working toward patient care initiatives, including at-home care models for wound care and orthopaedic rehabilitation post-surgery, and palliative care for clinically appropriate patients.
Honeysuckle Health is a joint venture between nib and Cigna. It negotiates hospital and other complex health insurance contracts on behalf of health funds and insurance companies.
Honeysuckle Health also runs health management, hospital discharge support and chronic disease care coordination programs to better manage the health and wellbeing of Australians and New Zealanders.
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