The Australian government is consistently assessing whether the private health insurance industry is fit for purpose. After all, while the general perception may be that the power is with the health funds, it's the applicable industry bodies and decision makers that have to approve any vast changes - particularly those based around pricing.
The broad links between corporate health and the benefits to productivity have long been established. Employees that are looking after their bodies and minds have a better chance of staying on task and boosting the performance of the companies they work for.
The Australian government has long had a focus on ensuring that citizens maintain their health and wellbeing. Naturally, much of this mantra is funnelled to the general population through policies surrounding insurance.
The race to be the most productive, effective and savvy employee is typically heated in any organisation. In the world of big business, it can be particularly intense. In fact, CMO contributor Dr Linda Friedland explained that the business mantra of 'bigger, faster, more and more' has led to the rise of 'corporate athletes'.
Health insurance is top of many Australian's list of things to keep and maintain. After all, there can be no better feeling than knowing health treatment will be subsidised in the event it's needed. In the past, many chose to pursue policies that were encompassing by nature, but came with higher costs from the outset.
Health and wellbeing is central to the lives of many Australians. After all, feeling good and staying sharp from a fitness perspective can smooth over many practices in life. In the workplace, it can make it easier to maintain focus or allow any physical elements of a role to be tackled much more easily.
The vast majority of people use the new year as a blank slate. Whether it's a different job, change of diet, or even just altering a few lifestyle choices, January 1 can be a great time to start fresh. However, is this the case when it comes to private health insurance?
The old business adage goes that it's much more costly to find and train new staff than it is to keep a current workforce happy. Consequently, casting an eye over turnover and retention is a must for business leaders who want their operation to be successful in the long term.
