Hospital-based HTA: The Australian experience

Abstract

Health technology assessment within the Australian hospital system has not been introduced in any systematic or consistent fashion. The Australian health insurance system is complex, with almost half of the population carrying private health insurance and the other half being managed by the public health system. This is further complicated by an overlap between payments made for private work by the public insurer as a contribution towards procedures conducted, with supplementation coming either from the patient or the private health insurer. Hotel costs associated with the hospitalisation for private patients are picked up by the private health insurer in most cases. Irrespective of one’s insurance status, however, individuals can present to public hospital facilities and have free healthcare provided.