Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny

4

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Following a heated discussion at a recent national conference held on the Gold Coast, the AMA and its New South Wales branch convened with a number of medical defence organisations to tackle this pressing matter.

During these meetings, participants delved into changes in healthcare delivery and the evolving scopes of medical practice-factors contributing significantly to the rising costs within the medical indemnity sector.

According to a statement published on the AMA’s website, the Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs), which largely operate as member-based mutual entities, acknowledged the industry's growing unease. They shared global insurance market trends and emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication and collaborative efforts with the AMA to address systemic policy issues. Despite the need for cooperation, the constraints of competition law were noted as a limiting factor.

The organizations represented at the meeting included key industry players such as Avant, MDA National, Medical Indemnity Protection Society, MIGA, and Tego.

In its latest report, Avant informed Insurance News that their average rate increments have managed to remain below inflation for several renewal periods. Nevertheless, certain specialized fields have experienced sharp double-digit rate hikes due to specific claim frequencies and severities, affecting less than 1% of their membership.

Published:Wednesday, 4th Sep 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Policies

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant development for policyholders, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection (IP) policies. This initiative, effective from August 8, 2025, aims to incentivise proactive health management by offering premium discounts to clients who engage in preventative health checks. - read more

Surge in Mental Health Claims Puts Pressure on Australia's Insurance Industry

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's insurance sector is facing unprecedented challenges as mental health conditions have become the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims. Recent data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) reveals that mental health issues now account for nearly one-third of all TPD claims paid out. - read more

Rest Super Faces Class Action Over Alleged Wrongful Deduction of Income Protection Premiums

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Shine Lawyers has initiated class action proceedings in the Federal Court against Rest Superannuation, alleging that the fund wrongfully deducted income protection premiums from members' accounts between December 2008 and June 2019. The lawsuit claims that up to 500,000 Rest members may have been affected by these deductions. - read more

Marine Skippers Insurance Expands to International Waters

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Marine Skippers Insurance has recently unveiled a new international coverage plan tailored for captains navigating vessels to and from Australia. This development is particularly timely, coinciding with preparations for the upcoming Sydney to Hobart yacht race. - read more

NM Insurance and Zurich Forge Long-Term Partnership

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

NM Insurance has solidified its position in the marine insurance sector by entering into a five-year agreement with capacity provider Zurich. This strategic partnership is set to bolster NM Insurance's growth trajectory and instill greater confidence among brokers. - read more

Click for more Insurance News