Protecting health during cost of living crisis
The medical profession demands an extraordinary level of dedication, expertise, and commitment, often at personal expense. However, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to escalate, doctors are increasingly confronted with financial pressures that can distract from their ability to maintain their own health and wellbeing.
As the State’s peak medical body, AMA Queensland understands our members are busy with what they do best – caring for patients. Staying up to date with research and training is typically the next priority, meaning personal admin tends to fall by the wayside.
Day-to-day support
We aim to prioritise big picture advocacy work by creating better health and wellbeing outcomes for our community and the profession. We do this by actively campaigning for the rights of patients, access to better services in the public system, and guaranteed freedom of choice in the private system alongside the right to access high quality medical services.
As a member organisation, we recognise the many challenges faced by Queensland’s doctors. Between understanding industrial relations and the increasing difficulty to bulk bill patients, we help our members throughout every stage of their career by providing comprehensive support that will make a positive impact on their day-to-day personal and work lives.
We do this by providing our members with access to networking opportunities, educational webinars, and workplace relations advice to not only boost the medical workforce but help safeguard their careers. Above all, AMA Queensland gives those on the frontline the opportunity to have their voices heard and make a difference to the profession and patients’ outcomes.
As a means of providing our members with ongoing support in and outside the workplace, we are happy to partner with a select suite of targeted corporate partners. Each of these partners offer expertise, benefits and services specific to the Queensland medical profession that aim to support the management of often costly necessities.
This is why we partner with a health fund, specifically Doctors’ Health Fund which was created specifically for doctors, as AMA Queensland’s preferred provider of health insurance.
Managing economic priorities
While doctors are some of the most caring when it comes to their work and patients, they can overlook the same level of care for themselves. It is one thing to recognise the need to prioritise your own health and wellbeing, but when faced with economic strains, it’s not always simple or achievable.
With the rising cost of living, more and more people are sacrificing certain necessities in order to afford others. We may no longer be able to justify a barista-made coffee to get us through the day, but things previously considered ‘essential’ are also taking a toll.
Health insurance can feel like a luxury when essentials such as your grocery bill and fuel costs have skyrocketed. Unfortunately, we know that the reality of not being covered is more likely to cause significant financial strain in the long run.
Invaluable support
We consider health insurance a form of preventative healthcare and an essential investment in your health.
Doctors’ Health Fund is the only health fund made for doctors, their families, and the medical community. The world of medicine is complex and having a financial safety net that knows and understands your circumstances is essential.
"I'm part of Doctors’ Health Fund, but like all insurances, I do hope I never have to use it,” said AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim.
“The benefit with Doctors’ Health Fund is that my family members can access their services and products.
“They have utilised their services and given that they rebate up to AMA Rates1, there are minimal if any out-of-pocket expenses in comparison to other companies."
Covering over 93% of medical services with no gap against an industry average of 88.3%*, their service is designed to support and keep you healthy, so you can focus on your patients.
As every doctor knows, good health cannot be understated. Our mission is to help Queensland doctors ensure continued good health for their patients, families and themselves, without having to sacrifice other essentials.
1 Doctors’ Health Fund matches AMA rates on the Top Cover Gold policy, full policy terms and conditions are available at: doctorshealthfund.com.au/hospital-cover-top-cover.
* Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, State of the health funds report 2023, Ombudsman’s website.
IMPORTANT: Private health insurance products are issued by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited, ABN 68 001 417 527 (Doctors’ Health Fund), a member of the Avant Mutual Group. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions (including waiting periods, limitations and exclusions) of the individual policy, available at doctorshealthfund.com.au/our-cover.
