One of the highest-risk demographics in private anaesthetic practice is Overseas Insured patients. These are often international students or temporary workers who are required to hold health insurance as a condition of their visa. But despite appearances, this cover is vastly different from the private health insurance available to Australian residents.
Overseas insurance typically pays no more than the MBS fee for medical services—leaving a significant shortfall between what’s rebated and what’s actually charged in private practice. To make matters more complicated, these patients often have limited understanding of the Australian healthcare system. Many assume their insurance will “cover everything,” and language barriers can further reduce clarity and increase the risk of miscommunication.
Unfortunately, if a patient leaves the country before finalising payment, debt recovery may no longer be an option.
To reduce the risk of bad debt of overseas insured patients, we recommend the following:
- Always obtain prepayment for elective surgery.
At Solo Practice Management, we automatically secure prepayment from Overseas Insured patients before surgery is confirmed.
- If prepayment isn’t received, consider deferring the procedure or accepting that you may only receive payment at the MBS rate.
- For emergency or unplanned cases, obtain a signed informed financial consent form prior to the procedure wherever possible.
- Collect multiple contact details: Always obtain a mobile number, email address, and residential address.
For obstetric patients, clearly explain the financial responsibility and gather next-of-kin details.
- Written Informed Financial Consent is key: We provide have a purpose-built consent forms – ready to print and use at short notice.
At Solo Practice Management, we’re anaesthetic billing experts. Our processes are designed to maximise your income and minimise risk – especially in high-risk billing scenarios like these. Let us do the admin so you can focus on patient care.
Want to learn more or access our Overseas Insured patient resources?
Get in touch – we’re here to help