The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF) - proposed acquisition of Manchester Unity Australia Limited

Status: 
Completed
Outcome: 
Not opposed on 23 September 2008
Reference number: 
33913
Industry: 
Private health insurance
Commenced: 
8 September 2008
Total review days: 
12 days

Acquirer(s)

  • The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF)

Target(s)

  • Manchester Unity Australia Limited

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.

Timeline

DateEvent
08/09/2008ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
22/09/2008Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
23/09/2008ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.