Healthscope and Bupa confirm new hospital funding agreement
31 January 2025
Healthscope and Bupa are pleased to announce they have reached a two-year in-principle agreement that recognises the sustainability challenges facing private hospitals while keeping hospital care affordable.
The new agreement ensures Bupa patients can continue to receive care and treatment at Healthscope hospitals across the country without any additional out-of-pocket charges.
Healthscope Chief Commercial Officer Dhruv Gupta said the new agreement gives certainty to our staff, doctors and Bupa customers, while also acknowledging the financial challenges facing private hospitals.
“This new agreement means we can continue to care for Bupa members in our hospitals across Australia, without the need for additional fees. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Bupa, working constructively together to deliver outstanding and efficient patient care, and collaborating on initiatives to support the long-term sustainability of the sector.”
Bupa Health Insurance Acting Managing Director Kate Williams said the agreement confirmed Bupa and Healthscope’s shared commitment to work collaboratively to deliver affordable, high-quality and innovative care for patients.
“Our priority throughout negotiations has been ensuring healthcare remains affordable for our customers while also acknowledging the cost pressures hospitals are facing, and supporting Healthscope to continue to deliver high-quality care, in a sustainable way,” Ms Williams said. Mr Gupta said:
“Healthscope now has agreements with four of Australia’s five major insurance groups – Bupa, Medibank, NIB, HCF. Unfortunately, our notice of contract termination with the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA) funds remains in place, effective from 4 March 2025.”
“It’s disappointing that the AHSA has so far declined to recognise and address the increasing costs of providing private hospital care for their members.
“Nevertheless, we remain ready to work with the AHSA, to reach an agreement that acknowledges the vast funding gap that currently exists,” Mr Gupta added.
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Background:
Healthscope is Australia’s only national private healthcare provider, operating 38 hospitals across the country, and employing over 18,000 people. Healthscope offers world-class patient care, including medical and surgical services, mental health treatment and rehabilitation services.
