Bupa and Ramsay to continue contract negotiations

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Bupa says that there are no immediate changes for its members despite Ramsay ending its current contract with the private health insurer.

In a statement to shareholders, Ramsay said its contract with Bupa is now terminated and that the two have been unable to resolve "key elements" of a new contract.

"Following termination both contractual and agreed transitional arrangements apply for a period of at least 60 days. Bupa insured patients will then be required to pay an upfront payment on admission, being the difference between the statutory default benefit Bupa is required to pay and Ramsay’s hospital treatment charges," said Ramsay.

Bupa said its members remain fully covered at Ramsay hospitals until at least 1 October 2022 with some treatments, including maternity and oncology, and any treatments already commenced covered up to August 2023.

“We are continuing our discussions with Ramsay and are hopeful of reaching an agreement soon," said Bupa Health Insurance managing director Chris Carroll.

“We want our members to know that our first priority in our negotiations with Ramsay has been to keep healthcare costs affordable especially when cost of living pressures continue to impact families.”

The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman confirmed their own intervention by arranging mediation to assist in the negotiation of an agreement.