The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman is an Australian Government agency but acts independently of the Government in dealing with complaints and reporting. The role and functions of the office are contained in Sections 230- 256 of the Private Health Insurance Act.
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Role and functions
The office protects the interests of people who are covered by private health insurance by investigating complaints and assisting in the resolution of complaints. It also publishes independent information about private health insurance and the performance of health funds. According to the Australian Government's website, the ombudsman "provides private health insurance members with an independent service for health insurance problems and enquiries."
The office is a government agency whose main role is to protect the interests of people covered by private health insurance. The office is committed to that role.
The office has stated that it expects to fulfill this role by handling complaints in a high quality manner; by providing information and advice to consumers; and by providing information, advice, and recommendations to the Government.
History
The office was originally called the Private Health Insurance Complaints Commission (PHICC) and was established on 4 March 1996. The name was changed to Private Health Insurance Ombudsman in 1998
Ombudsman officeholders
Ms Samantha Gavel was appointed Ombudsman on 1 April 2008 for a three-year term. As of February 2012, Ms. Gavel still holds the office.