The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has welcomed the announcement of a voluntary Code of Practice, aimed at enhancing the process of contract negotiations, agreed on by the Australian Private Hospitals Association and the Australian Health Insurance Association.
"The main aim of the code is to minimise disputes between hospitals and health funds and the code provides for an independent dispute resolution process with final reference to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today.
"The ACCC hopes that the code will lead to improved negotiation processes between hospitals and funds".
"It may also reduce the number of complaints to the ACCC about the negotiation process and alleged breaches of the Trade Practices Act 1974".