Doctor order fears on app
Health funds back plan for online referral system
HEALTH funds have been accused of seeking to manipulate GPs into referring patients to particular surgeons using a controversial new TripAdvisor-style online referral system.
Doctors and the Australian Medical Association fear the new service, to be provided via medical software on GPs’ desktop computers from February, could be a slippery slope to the introduction of US-style managed care.
But the CEO of health practitioner comparison website Whitecoat said the system would help patients find the best-performing surgeons with the lowest out-of-pocket expenses.
Three of the nation’s top health funds — NIB, HBF and BUPA — helped set up Whitecoat.
The app uses data supplied by the health funds on specialists’ fees and performance to guide GPs making referrals.
GPs can use the system to access information on how many operations a surgeon has completed, their re-admission rates, charges and any gap fees.
They can also find out how long patients may have to wait for an initial consultation .
Whitecoat CEO Matt Donnellan said it was a breakthrough for patients and doctors, who previously had no access to information on specialist charges and performance.
Mr Donnellan said patients using the app would receive a message telling them the date of specialist appointments.
The app would also give patients information on the average fees and gaps most doctors charged for procedures to ensure their specialist’s fees were reasonable.
Mr Donnellan said neither doctors nor patients would would be bound to use the voluntary system.
Doctors have major concerns about the referral service and the Australian Medical Association said it “will absolutely not support any system that interferes in the doctor patient relationship or puts the needs of insurers before the needs of patients”.
“This is managed care at its core. Once you are subject to being influenced as to who is the right practitioner for you, based on an impenetrable web of contracting and financing arrangements, you have lost the ability to control your own health care,” AMA president Dr Tony Bartone said.
“We’ve seen it in the United States. It is not a good system for patients and it’s not a sustainable system economically.
Private Healthcare Australia chief Rachel David rejected the AMA’s concerns, saying health funds would not pre-approve surgery or limit which doctors patients could see as in the US.
The Federal Government also plans to introduce a directory on specialist charges as complaints grow about specialists charging too much. and will also join fiancee Brit Davis and netballer Madi Robinson for the TAC 5km family walk, while Paralympic gold medallist Richard Coleman will participate in the 10km wheelchair-friendly event.
The course will weave through Geelong CBD streets and waterfront and feature live music by local artists and other entertainment.
Last-minute registrations will be available at Steampacket Gardens from 6am on Sunday, with the event beginning at 8am. More details are available from rapidascent.com.au/ runforgeelongskids
The Geelong Advertiser will be unable to publish results and times for Run For Geelong’s Kids entrants in Monday’s paper as event management has decided not to partner with the Geelong Advertiser this year.
Messages to entrants from the event that we will be listing the results are unfortunately incorrect.