Bupa’s hooking you up with free doctor’s visits … What’s the catch?
An act of generosity or a savvy business move? Based on the state of Australia's health industry, it could be both.
There's some extra value coming for the over 2 million Australians with Bupa. Members will soon have access to free doctor appointments on Blua, Bupa's digital health platform.
That's right, free! But what's the fine print?
Well, besides being an online telehealth appointment, there's a limit. Members will be entitled to a maximum of 3 appointments per year.
The appointments are available 24/7, with consultations including things like general medical advice, repeat prescriptions or referrals. This includes access to an online door-to-door chemist delivery service.
According to Blua's Director, Dr Simon Benson, the initiative is part of an effort to give Australians simple, person-centred care and an alternative to in-person treatment.
This is about making medical care accessible and affordable 24/7 while taking some of the pressure off hospital emergency departments in the afterhours period.
Blua telehealth can also play an important role in assisting where patient demand is high and where there are long wait times to see a local GP.
And looking at the current state of health care, it couldn't come at a better time for many Australians.
Aussies are skipping out on regular care.
There's been a growing need for greater accessibility to Australia's healthcare services as Aussies battle with a cost of living crisis.
Our recent research into healthcare affordability found 38% of Australians have skipped medical appointments over the past 12 months.
Interestingly, younger folk are more likely to be missing their medical appointments.
Over the past year, 46% of Gen Y and 52% of Gen Z put off seeing a health professional. And for 75% of both groups, the reasons went beyond just financial concerns.
It's not the economy, stupid.
And while affordability anxiety is front and centre for many, it's not all that's stopping people going to see their GP.
1 in 5 people avoided going because they couldn't afford it, while 16% didn't attend because it seemed expensive.
Increasingly, accessibility and convenience seems to be turning people away from treatment.
Online health services: the next big thing?
As I explained in September, wait times have ballooned for medical services across Australia. More Australians have moved towards private health services to avoid mounting queues in the public system.
For many younger people, this includes a growing appetite for online health services, according to Tim Bennett, Insurance Expert at Finder.
Since the pandemic, there's been a growing appetite for convenience. Between work-from-arrangements, and delivery food apps, why wouldn't young Australians want the same from their health care.
While Bupa's stated goal is not to replace the family practice, Dr Benson is confident digital health services will support our existing health system.
The pandemic has changed how people want to access their healthcare and we are making sure it fits in with their changing health and wellbeing needs.
Compare and save on health insurance with Finder.
