http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers legal information for private health funds Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:43:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en On 19 November 2009 the Government re-introduced its reform package: Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge - Fringe Benefits) Bill 2009 [No. 2] Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2009 [No. 2] Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 [No. 2] The Explanatory Memoranda are here, here and here. UPDATE: ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/11/20/health-insurance-reform-bills-re-introduced/ In L v Health Service Provider [2009] PrivCmrA 15 a patient complained to the Privacy Commissioner when his payment default for health services was listed in his consumer credit information file. While the complainant had failed to pay for the medical procedure, the Commissioner considered the health service provider ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/11/20/health-service-providers-are-not-credit-providers/ ComLaw has published a consolidated Health Insurance Act 1973 which includes the latest amendments. http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/10/21/health-insurance-act-1973-updated/ The Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2009 is currently before Parliament. It allows for the conditional listing of prostheses in the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (Prostheses Rules) and requires the Minister for Health and Ageing to make rules specifying criteria for listing prostheses in the Prostheses Rules. ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/10/20/private-health-insurance-legislation-amendment-bill-no-2-2009/ The Private Health Insurance (Insurer Obligations) Rules 2009 repeal the Private Health Insurance (Insurer Obligations) Rules 2007 and establish prudential standards for private health insurers that set minimum requirements for the governance arrangements of private health insurers, specify appointed actuary requirements of private health insurers and detail reporting and notification ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/10/12/new-phiac-governance-standards-to-commence-1-january-2010/ ABC News reports that the Government intends to re-introduce the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 in 3 months after its defeat in the Senate on 9 September. http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/09/11/fairer-private-health-insurance-incentives-bill-2009-defeated-in-senate/ The Senate Community Affairs Committee has tabled its report titled "Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2009 and two related bills" http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/08/06/senate-report-on-private-health-insurance-changes/ ComLaw has issued a consolidated National Health Act containing the latest amendments relating to the provision of pharmaceutical, sickness and hospital benefits, and of medical and dental services. http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/08/02/national-health-act-updated/ PHIAC has issued a circular to clarify the position of PHIAC regarding director independence as it relates to private health insurers in corporate group structures. Following initial feedback and to avoid doubt, PHIAC proposes that Schedule 1, section 1(7) be amended to remove any doubt that independent directors of ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/07/27/clarification-of-phiac-independent-director-provisions/ We have updated our 52 page Toolkit to help private health funds implement the governance standards. The Toolkit explains: •what corporate governance means •what your board needs to do •what policies and documents you need to prepare •constitution changes •corporate governance reporting •board succession Call David Jacobson on 07 3878 5098 or email djacobson at langes dot com ... http://www.langes.com.au/privatehealthinsurers/2009/07/27/updated-private-health-insurer-corporate-governance-toolkit/