Deal done by Healthscope with Alliance insurers 'The country’s...

Deal done by Healthscope with Alliance insurers

'

The country’s second-biggest hospital operator, Healthscope, has agreed a new funding deal with a group of not-for-profit insurers, ending a long-running dispute with health funds which will spare thousands of patients from paying higher hospital fees.

The group of 29 non-profit insurers known as the Australian Health Service Alliance had been holding out against Healthscope’s demands for more funding and risked going out of contract with the hospital operator which would mean its members would pay more out-of-pocket costs for treatment.

“This in principle agreement means we can continue to care for AHSA members at all our hospitals without the need for additional fees,” Healthscope chief executive Greg Horan said of the deal late on Monday.'