Forcing women into top-level private health insurance for birth and pregnancy cover is a form of gender discrimination, the peak group for obstetricians claims.
National Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Gino Pecoraro says it’s the only service excluded from lower-level health insurance based on gender, and he’s taken the matter to the Human Rights Commission.
“It’s criminal in a country that prides itself on trying to eliminate gender discrimination,” Dr Pecoraro told AAP.
Dr Pecoraro said more needs to be done to lighten the load on public hospitals, and widening access to private care through cheaper insurance policies would help.
He said many were shocked to discover women were forced to pay extra to get cover for reproductive health, when men’s reproductive health issues were covered at a lower level.
Almost all policies cover testicular tortion or cancer and prostate issues, but pregnancy and birth were only covered in top-level cover, he said.
Dr Pecoraro said the association made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission a year ago but has yet to hear back.
A spokesperson for the commission said it is not able to comment or provide any information about complaints it has received.
Private Healthcare Australia says the tiering of health insurance products into gold, silver, bronze and basic was introduced by the previous government.
“Pregnancy is covered in the highest tier because the risk of something going wrong is very costly. The cost of preterm labour and delivery often exceeds $200,000 to $300,000 for example,” a spokesperson told AAP.
“These claims are high because often the mother and baby need to be in hospital for a prolonged period. This does not occur in male reproductive health.”
Tiering has made health fund products easier for consumers to understand, but much harder for funds to spread this risk across the insured population, which has made gold hospital cover more expensive, they said.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said gender bias in the health system was an important issue.
“Other issues go to the nature of research and the nature of clinical trials, including devices that are generally designed around a male body,” he told AAP.
“The Albanese government is having a range of discussions about our approach to this issue.”
A spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s Department said the government “was committed to eliminating discrimination against women”.
The federal Sex Discrimination Act made it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy or potential pregnancy, they said, but exceptions include for insurance based on reasonable data.
