Yoga has a healthy attraction

HEALTH insurance giant Bupa says funding services such as yoga so it can appeal to younger Australians could rein in spiralling premium costs.

Bupa — which controls more than quarter of Australia’s health insurance market — has been consulting with the federal government on “second-wave” reforms to make health insurance more affordable.

Bupa Health Insurance managing director Emily Amos said the declining takeup of health insurance by younger Australians was one threat to the sector. To this end, she said Bupa began funding Sam Wood’s online fitness and nutrition program for three months last year and saw better-than-expected uptake.

“Insurers need the flexibility to evolve their product offer,” Ms Amos said. “Enabling insurers to fund a broader range of non-rebatable health and wellbeing services will have a far greater impact in attracting young people.”

Bupa also wants shorter hospital stays and independent pricing for medical devices.

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Across

1. Heavy load (6)

5. Kiss (6)

9. Agreement (6)

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14. Position (6)

16. Feel bitter about (6)

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6. Setting for a gem (5)

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