Private health insurance
The Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies
The review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance (the rebate) for natural therapies (the review), will examine the evidence of clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness, safety and quality of in scope natural therapies.
Natural therapies in scope for the review are:
- Currently covered under private health insurance;
- Not subsidised directly under Medicare; and
- Are not provided by a health professional accredited under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
- Alexander Technique
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Biochemistry
- Bowen Therapy
- Buteyko
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Feldenkrais
- Herbalist
- Hypnotherapy
- Iridology
- Kinesiology
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Massage therapy
- Myofascial Release
- Myotherapy
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Pilates
- Psychotherapy
- Reflexology
- Remedial Massage
- Rolfing
- Shiatsu
- Sports Therapy Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Tai Chi
- Thai Massage
- Therapeutic Massage
- Western Herbalism
- Yoga
- Homeopathy
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is assisting the Department with the review by undertaking an evidence review of all in scope therapies, including assessing stakeholder submissions. Evidence will be assessed in the context of the NHMRC’s Additional Levels of Evidence and Grades for Recommendations for Developers of Guidelines.
Natural Therapy Review Advisory Committee
The NHMRC’s findings will be examined by the Department’s Natural Therapy Review Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee will provide advice to the Australian Government about the natural therapies that have been found to be underpinned by an evidence base.The Advisory Committee is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer and includes members from the natural therapy and private health insurance industries, consumers and clinical experts as follows: the Chief Medical Officer and include members representing the natural therapy and private health insurance industries, consumers and technical experts as follows:
- The Australian Traditional Medicine Society
- The Australian Natural Therapists Association
- The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association
- Private Healthcare Australia
- Health Insurance Restricted Membership Association of Australia
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia
- Technical experts (medical, pharmacy and physiotherapy)
Submissions to the Review
The Department received 46 submissions in relation to the review. Submissions were required to include evidence that demonstrates the clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness, safety and quality of in scope natural therapies. Submissions by non-invited organisations were also accepted.The submission process is now closed.
Implementation
Any changes to the natural therapies that attract the rebate are expected to be implemented from 1 January 2014.Post implementation consumers may still be able to purchase natural therapy services and insurers will be able to offer coverage for these natural therapies under policies that do not attract the rebate.
In addition, the Department will monitor and evaluate the impact of the changes on industry and consumers. The Department will also develop a process for therapies that do not attract the rebate to be considered for inclusion in the future, where there is a credible evidence base demonstrating their clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness and safety and quality.
