Speak up to save private health rebates
From April 1, 2019 the Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules will provide that private health insurers cannot pay benefits for a range of therapies, including Pilates. This decision is based on outdated evidence and requires reassessment.
The Pilates Alliance Australasia is working to have this Rule amended to allow a benefit to be paid when the Pilates session is carried out by a trained practitioner with accreditation from a recognised Pilates industry body.
How can you help?
It is important to focus on the central issue - which is to get the proposed Rule amended before it takes effect on April 1, 2019. To that end, we encourage you to contact your Federal MP and urge them to put pressure on the Health Minister to amend this rule. You can find a full list of Queensland’s Federal Members of Parliament and their contact details here.
Below is a statement you may wish to use, however it is more effective if you customise the message and share your own experience of how practising Pilates with a professional instructor and receiving a private health insurance rebate has helped you.
From 1 April 2019 the Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules will provide that private health insurers cannot pay benefits for a range of therapies, including Pilates. This arises from the Natural Therapies Review Advisory Committee Report 2015.
In respect of Pilates, the proposed Rule is based on outdated research. The Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA) was not included in the Review even though it is the largest industry body with the most rigorous professional requirements.
The proposed rule change will cause many small businesses to close. There is a problem with unqualified practitioners offering Pilates as it is not a protected term. This can be easily overcome. In light of the current scientific evidence and the rigorous training and professional requirements for membership of the PAA, the Rule should be amended to allow a benefit to be paid when carried out by a trained practitioner with accreditation from a recognised Pilates industry body.
Tips for contacting your MP
You can find a full list of Queensland’s Federal Members of Parliament and their contact details here.
Brisbane Electorate
(includes the suburbs of Albion, Alderley, Ascot, Bowen Hills, Brisbane City, Clayfield, Fortitude Valley, Gaythorne, Gordon Park, Grange, Hamilton, Hendra, Herston, Kalinga, Kelvin Grove, Lutwyche, Milton, New Farm, Newmarket, Newstead, Red Hill, Spring Hill, Wilston, Windsor, Wooloowin and parts of Ashgrove, Bardon, Everton Park, Enoggera, Paddington and Stafford.)
Trevor Evans
Member for Brisbane
Email: trevor.evans.mp@aph.gov.au
Facebook: facebook.com/trevorevansbne
Website: www.trevorevans.com.au
Remember:
Keep your message brief and to the point.
If you are emailing more than one MP, send an individual email to each MP. Do not CC them into one email.
Many political offices simply ignore emails sent to more than one person.You can also contact your MP via Facebook or Twitter to make your point.
Time is short so please act now!