Original article by Sarah-Jane Tasker
The Australian – Page: 3 : 14-May-18

HBF has estimated that comparison websites received more than $A150m in commissions from private health insurers in 2016-17. HBF CEO John Van Der Wielen believes that the cost of using comparison websites is contributing to a rise in health insurance premiums. The not-for-profit fund will cease marketing its products via comparison websites. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s deputy chair Delia Rickard says many consumers may not be aware that health insurers pay commissions to attract new customers.

CORPORATES
HBF HEALTH LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, BUPA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED