SUSTAINABILITY OF NEW ZEALAND'S PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Introduction Pressure in the public health system is contributing to increased demand in the private healthcare sector. Growth in health insurance claims costs, due to a persistently high inflationary environment combined with extraordinarily high demand, will, over time, impact sustainability of the private healthcare sector. Aim To analyse health insurance claiming patterns in the private provision of the orthopaedics speciality. The hypothesis of this study is that there is sustained claims growth in orthopaedics private practice. Method A comprehensive review of Southern Cross Health Insurance claims in orthopaedics private practice. Results Findings show a sustained increase in volume and cost for orthopaedics services. Several indicators for this increase will also be examined. Discussion and Conclusion Claims data in orthopaedic private practice shows high volume and cost growth year on year. This will impact the sustainability of the private healthcare sector, and we need to promote professional reflection on how to respond to the current climate.