Consultation on private health insurance chronic disease management programs RE: Consultation on private health insurance chronic disease management programs Maintain equity and universality

2 August 2024 Consultation on private health insurance chronic disease management programs Department of Health and Aged Care E: PHIconsultation@health.gov.au To whom it may concern, RE: Consultation on private health insurance chronic disease management programs The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Health and Aged C. [...] It is a voice that respects and brings together the evidence, expertise, and views of each component of the system, recognising that siloed views will not achieve the outcomes-focused, value-based health care system Australians deserve. [...] As the disease profile of Australians has transitioned from acute, episodic experiences of care to long-term, chronic management of conditions, the role of PHIs in alleviating the pressure on tertiary health systems through community and out-of-hospital service provision has grown significantly. [...] However, any proposed changes to private health insurance rules and regulations should be assessed against a set of guiding principles, including whether the proposed changes maintain and improve health outcomes, and support equity, accessibility and sustainability of the broader Australian health system to the benefit of the whole community1. [...] Expanding the list of health professionals eligible for benefits under CDMPs to include practice nurses, nurse practitioners and mental health nurses, would ensure that private patients have access to the same comprehensive care by multidisciplinary teams as Medicare patients for the management of complex and chronic disease in primary care.