Working with The Doctors' Health Fund to offer bursaries to medical students.

Fund news archive

	Farewell 3 February 2009 It is with great sadness that we advise that Dr Phil Douglas, the Fund’s longest serving Board member, passed away in early January. Phil had served on the Board, providing much valued strategic input and guidance, since 1989. The Chairman, Dr Paul Nisselle commented that: “Phil was a highly talented doctor and surgeon and to die at only 53 is a tragic loss not only to his family, but also to his patients and the profession.”
	Extraordinary General Meeting 9 November 2007 The Fund has invited all contributing members to an Extraordinary General Meeting. The meeting will consider a special resolution to adopt a new Constitution which will meet the requirements of the federal Private Health Insurance Act 2007. Click through for further information and to view the proposed Constitution.
	New benefits for Prime Choice & Smart Starter hospital cover 1 August 2007 Today, members who have chosen 'Prime Choice' or 'Smart Starter' hospital insurance gain additional cover for medical expenses incurred during hospital treatment, without any increase in the price of these products. The Access Gap Cover scheme will be included in these products to reduce or possibly eliminate your out-of-pocket medical services expenses when you go to hospital. This gap scheme is used by 26 other private health funds. It has a track record of providing benefits on 91% of services. On 86% of those services patients have had no out-of-pocket expenses. More than 17,000 doctors participate as providers in this gap scheme. When your doctor participates in the scheme, The Doctors’ Health Fund will cover the gap scheme’s scheduled amount for each service. The doctor can choose to charge a co-payment, however it may not be more than $400 per service, or $800 for a confinement. Your doctor can find out how to participate in the scheme at www.ahsa.com.au. To find a doctor who participates in the Access Gap Scheme use the Doctor Search on the Members Zone menu. Those seeking greater certainty in their cover and unrestricted choice of doctor should consider our ‘Top Cover’ for hospital. Your doctors' bills for hospital treatment are simply submitted to the Fund, and we calculate the benefits which are based on the AMA List fees for medical services. Your out-of-pocket expense per service will be no greater than $63.90 when the AMA list fee is charged. If you would like any further information, please refer to hospital product descriptions in the Products web pages or contact the Customer Service team on 1800 226 126 or info@doctorshealthfund.com.au.
	Medical student bursaries awarded Fund News Update 15 October 2007 At the beginning of 2007 The Doctors' Health Fund and the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA) established a bursary scheme to support medical students. Last week the last round of applications for 2007 were considered and ten bursaries were granted to students from James Cook, Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney, New South Wales, Monash and Tasmania Universities. The scheme provides medical students with up to $500 to assist with the costs of texts and medical equipment, and up to $1,000 to assist with the costs of activities that offer professional development or work experience. On this occasion most of the bursaries were for texts and medical equipment. The first round of applications in 2008 closes on 31 March. Details of the scheme can be found at www.doctorshealthfund.com.au/bursaries. More Details...
	Transfer your cover to a new product now! 14 March 2007 The Fund recently mailed an important package of information to all members who are covered by any Maximum hospital cover with or without AMA Gap cover any Intermediate hospital cover with or without AMA Gap cover any Graduate cover with or without AMA Gap cover Healthcare Extras The Fund is asking you to transfer your cover to one of the new products we introduced in December 2006. We would like to encourage you to consider the information we have sent you and submit your Product Transfer Response Form by 20 March 2007 so your new cover can commence on 1 April 2007. The new products provide features and benefits sought by the majority of members, most include increased benefits, increased cover of services or lower out-of-pocket costs. In addition, until 1 July 2007 all waiting periods are being waived for members transferring their cover from an old product to a new product even when the new product offers greater benefits. When members transfer their cover to these new products the Fund will be in a better position to further improve the products and service provided to you. Please contact us if you have not received your information package or if you have any questions about the new products or the transfer process. You can contact us on freecall 1800 226 126 or email info@doctorshealthfund.com.au.
	New Products Launched 1 December 2006 Dr Peter Arnold, Chairman of the Board of The Doctors’ Health Fund announced in the 2006 annual report that we planned to launch a new product range. Launching this new product range is a key step towards achieving the Fund’s financial objectives, improving service to members and increasing membership. On 1 December 2006 five new products became available, and the Fund ceased to offer its older products for new memberships and product transfers by current members. Those members already contributing to the Fund’s older products will be able to continue in those products. However, during 2007 the Fund will be asking members to transfer to products in the new range. When this happens you will receive correspondence which will explain the new products and the transfer process. From 1 December 2006, if you wish to make changes to your health cover – increase or decrease an excess, move from a single to couple or family cover, add to or increase the level of your cover – you will need to select your cover from the new product range. Information about the new products can be obtained from the website. A product brochure is also available from Customer Service at info@doctorshealthfund.com.au or 1800 226 126.
	Results of the Annual General Meeting 2006 26 October 2006 The three resolutions put to the meeting were passed. The Board welcomes Dr Paul Nisselle to another term as a director of the Fund. The Fund wished to thank the members for their participation in considering the resolutions and voting or providing their proxy for the vote on the resolutions.
	Private Health Insurance Codes of Practice 24 October 2006 The Doctors' Health Fund was audited and has been recognised by the Australian Health Insurance Association Code Compliance Committee for its compliance with the Private Health Insurance Codes of Practice. The Code of Conduct aims to improve the standards of practice and service in the private health insurance industry. The code sets standards for matters including providing information to customers, staff training and dispute resolution. The Code of Conduct can be found at www.privatehealth.com.au/codeofconduct. Source: Letter from CEO, Australian Health Insurance Association, 23 October 2006
	2006 Annual General Meeting 29 September 2006 The Doctors’ Health Fund Limited is pleased to invite contributing members to the 2006 Annual General Meeting of Members which has been scheduled as follows: More Details...