Networks can keep health costs down

HEALTH insurance customers could be costing themselves hundreds of dollars a year by failing to use their insurer’s pool of health providers.

For those making extras claims for dental, optical, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments, experts are urging policy holders to make sure they know they can access many treatments and reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.

Financial services firm Canstar’s group manager of research and ratings Mitchell Watson said savings can be made if members use providers in their fund’s network.

“Using a health fund’s network can save you money through higher rebates,’’ he said.

New figures crunched by health insurance giant Bupa found customers can save on average about $600 a year by selecting providers where they receive discounts on extras claims – this can reduce annual out-of-pocket fees from about $983 to $397.

The figures are based on the average out-of-pocket costs during a 12-month period for customers if they use services provided under their “members first” agreement which includes thousands of dentists, physiotherapists and chiropractors.

Bupa’s health insurance managing director Dr Dwayne Crombie said health insurers work with providers to have mutually-agreed arrangements that allows members to gain more affordable services.

“We have a bunch of people who are in each of these three categories of ‘Members First’ (dentist, physio and chiro) and they agree to keep their fees reasonable and only increase them by modest amounts each year,’’ he said. “If you are in the market for a dentist you have the ability to look for a dentist near you – about 45 per cent of all dentists in Australia are part of our network so you have a good chance of having geographical access.”

Mr Crombie said while it can be difficult for members to move to a provider in their fund’s network, in many cases the option is there and it will help them save.