Termination of Agreement
Healthscope has informed Union Health of its decision to terminate our current three-year funding agreement, even though it was only signed in March 2024. The termination will take effect at midnight on 3 March 2025.
While we are disappointed by this decision, there will be no immediate changes to coverage for Union Health members who attend Healthscope hospitals up to 3 March 2025. In addition, transitional periods will apply in certain circumstances for up to six months from the termination date or nine months for pre-booked maternity services, ensuring continuity of care during this period.
Healthscope Hospitals in Queensland:
Brisbane Private Hospital
Gold Coast Private Hospital
Peninsula Private Hospital
Pine Rivers Private Hospital
Sunnybank Private Hospital
While this change may impact out-of-pocket costs for treatments at Healthscope facilities, Union Health members continue to have access a wide range of alternative hospitals and healthcare providers with whom we maintain agreements. We encourage you to speak with your medical practitioner regarding an alternative hospital where we have an agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Healthscope has informed Union Health of its decision to terminate our current three-year funding agreement, effective midnight on 3 March 2025.
It’s important to note:
The current contracted arrangements remain in place until midnight on 3 March 2025
Transitional periods will apply in certain circumstances for up to six months from 4 March 2025, or nine months for pre-booked maternity services
Yes, you are still covered under your Union Health policy for any currently booked, eligible procedures or ongoing treatments. This coverage will continue to be in place for at least six months after the hospital termination date.
Your coverage for pre-booked eligible procedures and ongoing treatments at the contract terminated hospitals will remain in effect for at least six months following the contract termination date.
Transitional periods apply in the following circumstances:
Treatment has already commenced: If you are admitted and undergoing treatment on or before 3 March 2025 the transitional period will end on your discharge.
Pre-bookings: If you have booked (by 3 March 2025) a procedure (other than maternity procedures) and are admitted before 3 September 2025, the transitional period will end on your discharge.
Maternity bookings: If you have booked your admission by 3 March 2025, the transitional period will end on 3 December 2025.
Course of treatment: If you have ongoing treatment that commenced by 3 March 2025, the transitional period will cover that course of treatment until completed or 3 September 2025 (whichever occurs first).
Emergency admissions: Until 3 June 2025. (Note: as with all private Emergency Departments there are out-of-pocket costs associated with your treatment).
To take advantage of the transitional periods you will need to book treatment before 4 March 2025.
Healthscope made the decision to terminate its agreement, not Union Health. It is worth noting that Healthscope renewed its contract with Union Health in March 2024 and Healthscope is now demanding a greater increase in charges.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned health fund, we are committed to providing affordable and high-quality services to our members. We are trying to avoid large premium increases to keep health insurance affordable for everyone.
Union Health Fund, through the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA), has agreements with over 500 private hospitals across Australia, including many quality hospitals in Queensland.
These agreements ensure that our members can continue to receive the care they need without facing significant out-of-pocket expenses. Members are advised to speak to their doctor about alternative hospitals where we have an agreement.
From 4 March 2025, if you choose to book a treatment at a Healthscope hospital, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs due to the termination of our contract with them.
However, you have the option to seek treatment at any of the other private hospitals within our network where you can receive care with minimal financial impact.
It is unusual for us to go out of contract with a hospital; however this situation can occur from time to time. We currently have agreements with over 500 hospitals across Australia and we expect these to continue.
| State | Hospital |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | National Capital Private Hospital |
| New South Wales | Campbelltown Private HospitalHunter Valley Private HospitalLady Davidson Private HospitalNepean Private HospitalNewcastle Private HospitalNorthern Beaches HospitalNorwest Private HospitalPrince of Wales Private HospitalSydney Southwest Private HospitalThe Hills Private HospitalThe Sydney ClinicTweed Day SurgeryWindsor Road Private Clinic |
| Northern Territory | Darwin Private Hospital |
| Queensland | Brisbane Private HospitalGold Coast Private HospitalPeninsula Private HospitalPine Rivers Private HospitalSunnybank Private Hospital |
| South Australia | Ashford HospitalFlinders Private HospitalGriffith Rehabilitation HospitalThe Memorial Hospital |
| Tasmania | Hobart Private Hospital |
| Victoria | Dorset Rehabilitation CentreHolmesglen Private HospitalJohn Fawkner Private HospitalLa Trobe Private HospitalKnox Private HospitalMelbourne Private HospitalNorth Eastern Rehabilitation CentreNorthpark Private HospitalRehab at HomeRingwood Private HospitalThe Geelong ClinicThe Melbourne ClinicThe Victoria ClinicThe Victorian Rehabilitation Centre |
| Western Australia | Mount Hospital |
