Medibank supports 65,000 hospital admissions for mental health

Medibank paid benefits towards more than 65,000 hospital admissions for customers requiring psychiatric care in the 2018 financial year.

New data from Medibank shows the average benefit paid for an overnight hospital admission for psychiatric care was more than $13,000 per patient.

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing of adults (aged 16–85) found that 45% of Australians will have a common mental disorder in their lifetime. Each year 1 in 5 Australian adults, about 3.8 million people, are estimated to experience a mental disorder.

Medibank has a strong history of supporting better mental health for all its customers with the launch of the Mental Health Phone Support service and the introduction of the mental health waiver as part of the Australian Government reforms to private health insurance.

Medibank Chief Medical Officer Linda Swan said Medibank had been improving its support for customers on mental health and wellbeing, as it is a growing problem for Australians.

“Hospital admission for psychiatric reasons is in the top five claims for Medibank customers nationally. It is also the most common hospital claim for our customers aged in their 20s,” Dr Swan said.

“Medibank paid benefits towards 65,413 day or overnight hospital admissions in the 2018 financial year for psychiatric care.”

The new data also showed the most common reasons for overnight hospital admission were rehabilitation, childbirth, orthopaedic surgery, respiratory conditions and psychiatry. Colonoscopy, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, dialysis and psychiatry were the most common admissions for same-day procedures.

Medibank Mental Health Phone Support The Mental Health Phone Support line can be accessed by calling 1800 644 325,. The service is able to follow-up with customers to see how they are progressing with seeking help with face-to-face, if they would like to stay in touch.