The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for 5 years to health insurer Health Partners to enter into and give effect to certain pricing arrangement provisions in agreements with dentists and partner dental practices which form part of its partner network of dental practices (Partner Practices) 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 has 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 has decided not to grant interim authorisation while the ACCC is considering the substantive application.
The ACCC is now seeking submissions in response to the draft determination by 27 July 2023 before making its final determination. Further details about the application and how to make a submission are available on the ACCC’s public register at: Health Partners Limited