Mind the gap: Price transparency in the Australian healthcare system
Project Details
The Australian healthcare system has come under intense pressure due to increasing demand and rising healthcare costs. Concerns have been raised by high and unexpected out-of-pocket fees charged by specialists and private hospitals. This in turn has resulted in consumers dropping private coverage, not seeking or delaying treatment, joining the queue for treatment in the public system, or using crowdfunding to reduce costs. Initiatives to improve price transparency have been proposed by the government and industry bodies to reduce pricing uncertainty and ‘bill shocks’ faced by consumers. The research aims to investigate the sources of variation in out-of-pocket costs and fees and examine the impact of price transparency on consumers and providers’ behaviours.
The research program will utilise a mixed-methods research design involving three studies. Study 1 is a quantitative analysis of price variation using patients de-identified unit-record Medibank data on hospitalisations and detailed doctor’s survey information linked to claims data (MABEL-MBS linked data). The data cover a number of years to examine the association between patient, organisation, doctor, and market-area factors on fees charged. Study 2 is a qualitative analysis using data collected from interviews to understand how providers set their fees, participation in gap agreements with private health insurers, and impact of price transparency initiatives. Study 3 is a quasi-experimental study design using de-identified unit-record Medibank data to examine the effects of price transparency websites.
If you are a non-GP specialist working in the Australian private sector and are interesting in participating in an interview, click here for further information.
Project Resources
Researchers
- Professor Adam Elshaug (Project Lead)
- Professor Anthony Scott
- Associate Professor Jongsay Yong
- Dr Khic-Houy Prang
- Dr Susan Mendez
- Dr Camille La Brooy
- Ms Hana Sabanovic
Funding
- The University of Melbourne
- Medibank Better Health Foundation