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NewsHospital waiting times still a shocker
Hospital waiting times still a shocker

Hospital waiting times still a shocker

Tags: Health Insurance
Last updated by Kayley Harris on

One of the main reasons our members take out Private Health Insurance is their fear of public hospital waiting times.

Take for example a recent report that said over 2200 people in NSW alone died on the waiting list for elective surgery in the 2015-16 period.

More than half of these patients had been waiting more than 55 days, which is 18 days greater than the Australian average! Up to 10% of patients had to wait close to 12 months – again, greater than the Australian average.

Dr Ross Walker, a regular guest on the FiftyUp Club’s Daily Drive Radio Show, says overpopulation and an outdated Medicare system are the main causes of the problem.

I’m sure many people who read theSunday Telegraph on January 22 of this year read that just over 2200 people in NSW died on the waiting list for elective surgery in the 2015-16 period. The report suggested that over half of these patients had been waiting more than 55 days, which is 18 days greater than the Australian average. Up to 10% of patients had to wait close to 12 months, again, greater than the Australian average.

We heard the usual outcry from the Labor opposition blaming the current health minister in New South Wales for this unacceptable situation. The New South Wales AMA President, Professor Brad Frankum, suggested it was the increasing pressure on accident and emergency departments that had a knock on effect to elective surgical waiting times.

In my view, no one is addressing the real issues which comes down to two key areas:

  1. Over-population. With the world’s population increasing at a rapid rate, no government across the globe can continue to provide the necessary infrastructure for not just the health system, but all aspects of living in the modern world.
  2. In Australia – the outdated and unaffordable Medicare system. It is said that 48% of Australians are on some form of welfare but the reality is that 100% of people are on welfare, i.e. Medicare.

Over $50 billion is spent every year on Medicare and this is paid for with borrowed money because of the incredible debt levels in Australia. Medicare was first introduced as Medibank in 1972 under the Whitlam government. In 1972, medicine was not particularly expensive with much less available pharmaceutical agents, medical procedures and investigations.

Over the past 40 years, we have seen an explosion in costs because of major advancements in all of these areas. The reality is that our current system is unaffordable when we expect the government to foot the bill for a significant proportion of medical costs. Don’t get me wrong, Medicare is very good for the medical profession as we have a steady income from the government, but, in my view, is not good for patients.

The system I propose is that we introduce free, non-discounted healthcare for the lower 20% of earners (including people on some form of welfare) and everyone else pays private insurance linked to their income. The 21stpercent earner may only pay $2 per week, whereas extremely wealthy people clearly would be paying a substantial cost for private health insurance. I would also propose that anyone suffering a genuine emergency and admitted through an accident and emergency department would receive care for free under this system. This would not include people who use accident and emergency departments such as general practices.

This would ensure that socially disadvantaged people would not have to wait too long on elective waiting lists for surgery. Many people wait for over a year in pain to have spinal surgery or hip replacements because someone who could afford private insurance decided they would go through Medicare, thus displacing a person who can’t afford healthcare down the waiting list.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people now living in Australia have grown up with the attitude that Medicare is their “God-given right”. However, unless we do something about our current population growth and debt levels, our children and grandchildren will be living in a completely different world where wars will be fought over food and water and expert medical care will be a thing of the past. Do we have the right to leave this type of legacy for future generations?

 

Click here to see the Health Insurance members’ offer with HCF & see if you can save on your premium before it rises again on April 1.

Originally posted on .

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Hospital waiting times still a shocker

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Janise
Janise from VIC commented:

I had hospital insurance all my life from 1968 to 1995 and only used it for my pregnancies. In 1981 my husband died and still I continued on with it until my last child turned 16 and as I was now put on the dole I could not afford it so let it lapse. I only took it up again two years ago and have the life loading. I had to have a colonoscopy two years ago and paid for it myself and had it within two weeks as I couldn't stand waiting as I was in pain but left my name on the waiting list just to see how long I had to wait. Luckily I was ok. Yep after a year I was given an appointment for the colonoscopy so I immediately cancelled it. 

Kym
Kym from NSW commented:

If you can afford Private Health Insurance your hospital stay is covered less your excess However if you need to go to a specialist and then have an operation Medicare pays the specialist an amount for the procedure which is totally unrealistic compared to the specialists fees My gap to the specialist was $8,000.00 and I have top cover The gap is the issue and that is why so many people go public not private Public, no insurance costs, no out of pocket expenses for hospital or doctor/specialist Health Insurance pa $6,000 After surgery the bills never stop Anesthetist, Assistant Surgeon,Surgeon,x-rays,blood tests. $8,000.00 Gap Payments So until these gap payments are reduced more & more people will go public. 

Maureen
Maureen from NSW replied to Kym:

Yep. Let me guess. This, on top of the allowed amount was queried by no one. No one asked for a breakup of this specialist, charges, no one suggests he should give a reasonable account of the time costs and charges that lead to a bill of an extra $8,000 no one cares and our weak, mainly useless pollies and their associates simply shrug and give the nod to the next way above the inflation rate increase. Of course they do have a point. They know he cost of a whole years health insurance is only about the cost of one day and three hours of on over seas trip, which proves most Australians are simply born whingers??? 

Maureen
Maureen from NSW replied to Maureen:

Sorry Maureen form NSW. The above post came from Margaret of NSW, who AGAIN was given a name change. It seems that before posting a comment one should check the top of page to find who one is that day, in case like 'Bottom' thou art translated. 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

I agree with Dr Walker. The best medical system was back in the 70's when if you had Private Health cover, you were covered fully for all aspects of medical treatment including visits to GP's, Specialists etc. I took out the Gap cover as well so I was never out of pocket and I was only on a fairly modest income but still could afford it. Only the low income, unemployed, Pensioners and the like were able to use the Medibank system as it was called then. Too many people today using Medicare who are in a position to be able to afford Private Health. Mind you the premiums for Private Health have gone through the roof over the last 5 years in particular so the whole medical system needs a revamp. Unfortunately it would take a brave Government to address this more than likely! 

Marianne
Marianne from NSW commented:

Let us be very realistic about waiting times. As a public patient you join a list and eventually you receive your treatment, so let's say you waited a total of 55 days. A private patient will make an appointment to see the specialist and wait 3 months for the appointment, you see the specialist, pay out of pocket fees, have tests and pay out of pocket fees, then you are treated and have out of pocket fees. So who really is waiting longer than whom?? 

George
George from NSW commented:

It's great that Dr. Walker is trying to give solutions - few are trying! However, a major issue is the Private Health Insurance system itself. The Private Health Insurance system in Australia is a fraud on the people, as the Govt forces it on people (with penalties), approves large increases in premiums every year, and yet forces Patients to bear the Risk of Gaps and high Doctors fees. Insurance companies need to bear these Risks of Gaps (all except 15% of Medicare Scheduled Fees) and high Doctors Fees, including for costs of Diagnostic Tests and Pharmaceuticals. Otherwise it is not Insurance, simply a scheme to refund part of costs. Insurance companies are getting away with a complete con on people without taking on these Risks, and making great profits. The Govt needs to change Laws as needed, and allow / persuade / force Insurance companies to cover all Risks for Gap Fees and all Medical Costs (all except 15% of Medicare Scheduled Fees), and then create a competitive market by ensuring Standard Products with full coverage are offered. 

Colleen
Colleen from SA commented:

Dr Walker, I like your idea! I live on the Aged Pension - no hefty super - and have all my life had private health insurance and I continue to pay private health insurance because of the abysmal state of our public health system. And I do indeed feel angry that people on high incomes choose to use the public system rather than pay their own way. So bring it on - those who are earning a suitable income - step up and take responsibility for yourself - and relieve the burden for those who are on welfare. 

Cheryl
Cheryl from QLD commented:

My brother was turned away from the Prince Charles Hospital with shortness of breath and feeling like he had strong pressure on his chest ( they did not even examine him they just turned him away.) They told him that he had to go to his doctor and get a referral, and that they would send him an appointment despite the fact that he had been taken there only the previous week with a suspected heart attack, on that occasion they ran tests and said they could find nothing wrong. A few days later he paid to go private and they had to do a triple bypass heart surgery. Oh, and by the way he has still not received his appointment from Prince Charles hospital 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Professor Brad Frank um seems to miss the point that many Aussies who use Medicare actually pay the levy plus the surcharge !. It's not "Welfare" for them. He fails to mention the obscene charges foisted on to patients, often for just advice, by the medical profession. It's way past time the medical industry was completely overhauled with emphasis on value for money for the public not a gold mine for doctors ! 

Robyn
Robyn from NSW commented:

12 month wait at Lismore Base Hospital - why -before the new Byron Hospital was opened colonoscopy and other elective surgery was carried out at the old Byron Hospital but no surgery at the new Hospital Why!!! Now all patients have to join the list at Lismore Base therefore long long waiting lists. 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Healthcare has become more about bleeding money out of the system and less about patient care. Just go to a Hospital and you will see non-nursing staff outnumber the patients. Go to a GP and your appointments get shorter & shorter yet they always say they don't get enough money. 

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