Health

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Currently, the Disability Discrimination Act provides an exemption for life insurers to use genomic or genetic test results when underwriting life insurance contracts. Since 2019, an industry-regulated partial-moratorium has been in place that prohibits the use of these tests below certain financial limits.
The government encourages all interested parties to make a submission in response to the consultation paper, which can be found on the Treasury website.

Read More Consultation Opens on Use of Genetic Testing in Life Insurance

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“We know that suicide is complex and often linked to many risk factors like personal debt, unemployment, family breakdown, social isolation, and mental health.
“Feeding the family and keeping a roof over our heads are two of the most basic human needs. While interest rates are a matter for the RBA Board, we must be prepared and proactive to prevent distress and suicide rates from continuing to rise,” said Ms Murray.

Read More Cost-of-Living: Calls for Help and Families in Need

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In recent times there have been significant storms and flooding in Australia with a serious impact on dwellings and communities. When carrying out flood repairs to a building, after prioritising health and safety, there are precautions to be taken, and consumers should be aware of the serious impact of mould and other effects of exposure…

Read More Water, Buildings, and Restoration: Beware of Mould

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Health insurers have handed back to policyholders about $2.1 billion of the profits they gained from a reduction in claims between the start of the pandemic and 30 June 2022, the ACCC’s latest report into the private health insurance industry has found. Figures submitted by insurers to the Department of Health and Aged Care show…

Read More Health funds continue to return profits to meet COVID-19 commitments

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The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) is now consulting on three documents relating to regulation of medical practitioners who provide cosmetic surgery. The documents are in response to recommendations in the Independent review of the regulation of medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery. Draft Registration standard: Endorsement of registration for cosmetic surgery for registered…

Read More Public consultation – Regulation of medical practitioners who provide cosmetic medical and surgical procedures

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ASIC’s review of nearly 4800 individual disability income insurance (IDII) claims received between 1 January and 30 June 2021 has found more work is needed by insurers to ensure that consumers are protected from unfair practices in non-disclosure investigations and physical surveillances. As a result of ASIC’s review, some life insurers have made improvements to…

Read More ASIC review finds room for improvement remains with life insurance claims handling

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Need to know Rapid antigen tests are being sold at inflated prices by some retailers The ACCC is investigating the price gouging Advocates say stronger price-gouging protections are needed for consumers This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 5th January, 2022. It was only a few weeks ago that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs)…

Read More Price gouging: COVID-19 rapid antigen test prices soar

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Victoria is leading a national consultation on behalf of all Australian Health Ministers on the use of the title surgeon by medical practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law).  This is a duplication of contact from the Department of Health. It was received on 13th December, 2021. Health ministers are concerned that the regulatory framework…

Read More Medical practitioners’ use of the title surgeon under the National Law

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Insurers have continued to return profits gained from a reduction in claims during the COVID?19 pandemic to policyholders, but ongoing restrictions in some states delayed the full return of these profits in 2020-21, the latest ACCC annual report into the private health insurance industry has found. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was…

Read More Health funds must exercise caution when calculating COVID-19 relief for policyholders