Southern Cross funds more elective surgery

Southern Cross funded 171,000 elective surgical procedures in the 2012 financial year, up 8% from 158,000 in the previous year as it saw its total spending on healthcare services for members increase to over $600 million.

During the year 108,000 members underwent one or more surgical procedures funded by their Southern Cross health insurance, including 1600 hip replacements, 6200 cataract surgeries and 16,200 colonoscopies.

Members’ claims for non-surgical elective services included 674,000 GP consultations, 50,000 ultrasound scans and 12,000 MRI scans.

For every $1 of premium income, 85.7c was returned to members in claims for healthcare treatment.