Bupa has announced its members in South Australia can now access comprehensive care for hip or knee replacements with zero our of pocket costs.
The new program is the result of a partnership between Bupa and the Adelaide-based The Joint Replacement Clinic (JRC). It will see Bupa members in South Australia covered from initial consultations through to post-surgery rehabilitation either at home or in a supported care facility.
The program is available to South Australian customers who hold an appropriate level of Hospital cover (joint replacement procedures) and have served the 12-month waiting period. Members with excess products will still need to pay the excess.
According to Emily Amos, Bupa’s managing director of health insurance, “We know that two common barriers to booking in these important surgeries are out-of-pocket-costs and the prospect of traveling back and forth to a hospital or clinic for rehabilitation.
“Through our partnership with the JRC, we are able to address both of these concerns at a time when many South Australians are concerned about their finances or spending extended time in hospital as a result of COVID-19.
“This is all about helping members get more out of their health insurance rather than paying from their own pockets,” said Ms Amos.
There have been around 1.5 million hip and knee joint replacement procedures in Australia during the past two decades.
“We are proud to be looking after our South Australian members by providing them timely access to hip and knee joint replacement surgeries without the stress of being placed on lengthy surgery wait-lists,” said Ms Amos.
Chris Maher, JRC director, said, “By establishing a single point of care, and coordinating all relevant health providers, Bupa members are enabled to strengthen their relationship with their surgeon and be more actively involved in their own care.
“The new JRC clinical pathway enables Bupa members to receive quality accountable co-ordinated end-to-end care, and to choose where they receive their rehab services, whilst also minimising any financial burden by delivering a no gap experience,” said Mr Maher.