Australia's health funds have come out in warning against any changes to the private health insurance rebate in the May budget. Medibank Private's Managing Director, George Savvides, said that altering or axing the rebate altogether would be "counterproductive from an economic point of view", and lead to policyholders paying more for the same benefits.
It was earlier in February when Sports Minister Sussan Ley told the world how big the disparity is between our male and female sports stars. Ms Ley said there is "no defensible reason" why different genders of sports people should be given different standards of travel and accommodation, with female sports teams often missing out.
Private health insurance helps millions of Australians find a better, more personalised level of medical care. For instance, as a private health insurance member, you have a choice of the medical facility from which you receive non-emergency treatment, you get to pick your physician and there are a range of extras to help you keep fighting fit, such as dental and eye care.
Australia's largest health insurance provider, Medibank, says more Australians are relying on hospital care and are using more services than ever before.
According to a new Medibank press release, the health fund paid out more than $3.47 billion in healthcare benefits to its members in the 2015 financial year, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the previous financial period.
Health insurance premiums are rising. On April 1, all health insurance rate rises will be finalised and just about every policy and product after that time will be charged at a new, higher price.
It's something employers will have had an inkling about for some time, and an increasing amount of research has proved that it is almost entirely true - happy employees make for better workers.
While millions of employers look at ways to improve productivity through technology, outsourcing and other means, there's an easier, more cost effective way of doing so: simply make your employees happier in their jobs, and engagement will grow.
Those who have been following Medibank Private's early steps on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) will have noticed a few ups and downs. Since Australia's largest health insurer gave up its public status for stock-market flotation in November 2014, the market has proved highly changeable for shareholders - many of whom are Medibank customers.
