On 10 August 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) granted authorisation to health insurer Health Partners to enter into and give effect to certain pricing arrangement provisions in agreements with dentists and dental practices which will form part of its partner network of dental practices (Partner Program) in regional South Australia.
Dentists that participate in Health Partners’ Partner Program agree to cap fees to Health Partners members so that members can receive certain services on a ‘known gap’ basis in regional South Australia. Health Partners currently operates 4 dental practices in the Adelaide metropolitan area and sought authorisation to address what it describes as ‘the potential risk that the partner practices could be considered to be in competition with its existing practices’.
The ACCC granted authorisation for a period of 5 years, until 1 September 2028.
Further details about the application and determination are available on the ACCC’s public register at: Health Partners Limited