Health policy priorities

We focus our health policy efforts on areas of the health system where reform can deliver greatest impact, improving value, choice and control for Australians and driving long-term sustainability. Our priorities are centered on three critical domains: 

1. Private healthcare and private health insurance (PHI): 

Reforming private healthcare and PHI focuses on affordability and value for customers through contemporary and evidenced models of care and innovation. While short-term reforms may be necessary to address the immediate financial pressures facing private hospitals, these must be complemented by broader structural change. Our focus is on shifting the policy conversation beyond narrow cost-containment measures towards a comprehensive reform agenda that enhances consumer value, reduces waste, improves transparency around out of pocket costs, expands access to personalised models of care, supports hospitals through the transition and evolving PHI product and risk equalisation settings. We are working to build a cross-sector alliance to co-design a reform package that can unlock reforms that deliver a more sustainable and equitable private health system for all Australians.  

2. Primary care and prevention funding reform:  

Strengthening Australia’s primary care system and embedding prevention at its core are critical health policy priorities. Our reform agenda focuses on 2 key areas: first, enabling the implementation of multidisciplinary teams at scale to support proactive, team-based care for chronic disease management. Second, we are advocating for PHIs to play a greater role in funding prevention activities, while supporting equity of access to preventative services in primary care. The Medibank Better Health Research Hub also sponsored our inaugural symposium in Primary Care in June 2025, with over 70 external stakeholders from peak medical and allied health bodies, private health insurers and industry participants.  

3. Accelerate adoption of new care settings: 

Expanding virtual models of care presents a significant opportunity to enhance the access, efficiency and patient experience within Australia’s health system. Where clinically appropriate, more Australians should have the option to receive care in the comfort and familiarity of their home environment. This definition of “home” should extend beyond private residences to include residential aged care homes, ensuring equitable access for older Australians. Innovative care models, such as acute home hospital, remote monitoring, and telehealth, can reduce pressure on hospital systems and support continuity of care in the community. Embedding these models into mainstream service delivery requires system reform and must be scaled thoughtfully, ensuring safety, quality and equity remain at the forefront of implementation. We also continue to work with the Federal Government on primary care and with aged care stakeholders and state governments to broaden virtual care options and address health system capacity challenges in aged care.