Privacy concerns arise as GP chain offers bulk billing in exchange for patients’ personal data
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In a recent announcement, the medical chain Our Medical—a national bulk-billing GP chain with locations throughout Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland—is promoting a range of rewards and discounts for those who sign up for their rewards program.
This includes a free flu vaccine, a $20 dental voucher, a $20 physio voucher and local offers and discounts. It sounds good, right?
Except for members to access the rewards program, they’ll need to sign up online or via an app handing over their personal data in doing so.
For existing members, Our Medical has clarified that if you want to continue seeing the doctors at their centres, the patient 'will need to join the Rewards program'.
And for those who don't wish to sign on the dotted line or hit the proverbial 'Agree' button, they'll instead be paying a private fee for their medical appointments.
In a blog post, Our Medical highlighted its rewards program, emphasising its core belief in ensuring access to quality healthcare for everyone, wherever and whenever needed.
However, some experts have raised a valid concern: How does this belief align with the company's choice to charge significantly higher fees for individuals who choose not to participate in the rewards program?
This apparent contradiction has sparked a debate about the company's commitment to providing equitable healthcare access.
Melbourne University Law School Professor Jeannie Paterson disagreed with the move. When asked about Our Medical's decision, she said: ‘Some people simply don’t want their data aggregated.’
‘It’s not illegal to say that people who don’t use the app have to pay more. But I think it’s ethically problematic. A clinic that bulk bills is really important to some people. Particularly in this time of rising costs.’
Consumer group CHOICE’s Consumer Data Advocate, Kate Bower, also believes that customers of Our Medical have a right to be upset about the change the chain is demanding.
'These were patients who’d previously been bulk-billed by the clinic and were now being told that they had to sign up to the rewards program or pay a $90 out-of-pocket fee in order to see a doctor,' she told a news source.
In response, Our Medical confirmed that they indeed handle all personal information in accordance with applicable privacy and health records legislation and that their rewards program never uses personal data for commercial purposes or shares it with any third-party groups for financial gain.
On top of that, they state that no further information is captured through the rewards program than in the usual patient registration process.
The medical chain also highlighted the need to accurately confirm a patient's name, mobile number and email address—something they believe the rewards program verification process helps with.
However, this does raise the question of trust. Kate Bower added, ‘Unfortunately, at the moment, we just have to trust what the businesses say.’
Members, if you're ever in a situation where an organisation is trying to get access to your private information in exchange for a service (especially a free one), always take a few moments to read through their privacy policy—and if you see something that's worrying you, feel free to speak to customer service or take your business elsewhere.
In our ever-evolving digital world, whether signing up for a supermarket's loyalty program or a medical clinic's rewards system, it's important to be discerning about the information we share.
Digital privacy is something we should all be protective of, especially when it relates to medical and financial records.
So, before you visit your GP next time, take a moment to weigh up the convenience against the potential consequences. Your privacy should never come with a price tag!
What are your thoughts on this news? Let us know in the comments below!
This includes a free flu vaccine, a $20 dental voucher, a $20 physio voucher and local offers and discounts. It sounds good, right?
Except for members to access the rewards program, they’ll need to sign up online or via an app handing over their personal data in doing so.
For existing members, Our Medical has clarified that if you want to continue seeing the doctors at their centres, the patient 'will need to join the Rewards program'.
And for those who don't wish to sign on the dotted line or hit the proverbial 'Agree' button, they'll instead be paying a private fee for their medical appointments.
A chain of GP clinics has been scrutinised for asking patients to share their data in exchange for a bulk billing appointment instead of being out of pocket. Image source: Facebook/Our Medical Gold Coast.
In a blog post, Our Medical highlighted its rewards program, emphasising its core belief in ensuring access to quality healthcare for everyone, wherever and whenever needed.
However, some experts have raised a valid concern: How does this belief align with the company's choice to charge significantly higher fees for individuals who choose not to participate in the rewards program?
This apparent contradiction has sparked a debate about the company's commitment to providing equitable healthcare access.
Melbourne University Law School Professor Jeannie Paterson disagreed with the move. When asked about Our Medical's decision, she said: ‘Some people simply don’t want their data aggregated.’
‘It’s not illegal to say that people who don’t use the app have to pay more. But I think it’s ethically problematic. A clinic that bulk bills is really important to some people. Particularly in this time of rising costs.’
Consumer group CHOICE’s Consumer Data Advocate, Kate Bower, also believes that customers of Our Medical have a right to be upset about the change the chain is demanding.
'These were patients who’d previously been bulk-billed by the clinic and were now being told that they had to sign up to the rewards program or pay a $90 out-of-pocket fee in order to see a doctor,' she told a news source.
In response, Our Medical confirmed that they indeed handle all personal information in accordance with applicable privacy and health records legislation and that their rewards program never uses personal data for commercial purposes or shares it with any third-party groups for financial gain.
On top of that, they state that no further information is captured through the rewards program than in the usual patient registration process.
The medical chain also highlighted the need to accurately confirm a patient's name, mobile number and email address—something they believe the rewards program verification process helps with.
However, this does raise the question of trust. Kate Bower added, ‘Unfortunately, at the moment, we just have to trust what the businesses say.’
Members, if you're ever in a situation where an organisation is trying to get access to your private information in exchange for a service (especially a free one), always take a few moments to read through their privacy policy—and if you see something that's worrying you, feel free to speak to customer service or take your business elsewhere.
In our ever-evolving digital world, whether signing up for a supermarket's loyalty program or a medical clinic's rewards system, it's important to be discerning about the information we share.
Digital privacy is something we should all be protective of, especially when it relates to medical and financial records.
So, before you visit your GP next time, take a moment to weigh up the convenience against the potential consequences. Your privacy should never come with a price tag!
What are your thoughts on this news? Let us know in the comments below!
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