The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF) - proposed acquisition of Manchester Unity Australia Limited
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
33913
Acquirer(s)
The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF)
Target(s)
Manchester Unity Australia Limited
Industry
Private health insurance
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
12
Commenced public review
8th September 2008
Date completed
23rd September 2008
Market definition
The ACCC considered the relevant markets to be:
- state-based markets for the supply of private health insurance (PHI) to consumers; and
- local, regional or state/territory based markets for the acquisition of services from private hospitals by PHI providers.
Competition analysis
The ACCC considered the proposed acquisition unlikely to give rise to a substantial lessening of competition in any relevant market given:
- the relatively small change in market structure arising from the proposed acquisition; and
- the existence of alternative significant suppliers.
Review timeline
Date
Event
8th September 2008
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
22nd September 2008
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
23rd September 2008
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
