Bupa members in South Australia will soon have access to comprehensive care for hip or joint knee replacement surgery without out-of-pocket costs, thanks to the insurer’s partnership with the Joint Replacement Clinic (JRC).

Through the partnership, eligible Bupa members in South Australia will be covered from initial consultations to post-surgery rehabilitation either at home or in a supported care facility.

“We know that two common barriers to booking in these important surgeries are out-of-pocket costs and the prospect of travelling back and forth to a hospital or clinic for rehabilitation,” said Emily Amos, the managing director of health insurance at Bupa.

“Through our partnership with the JRC, we are able to address both of these concerns at a time when many South Australians are concerned about their finances or spending extended time in hospital as a result of COVID-19.This is all about helping members get more out of their health insurance rather than paying from their own pockets.”

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Around 1.5 million hip and knee joint replacement surgeries have taken place in Australia since 1999 – with South Australians in the public system waiting longer for surgeries than the national average, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

“We are proud to be looking after our South Australian members by providing them timely access to hip and knee joint replacement surgeries without the stress of being placed on lengthy surgery

wait-lists,” Amos said.

Chris Maher, the director of JRC, added: “By establishing a single point of care, and coordinating all relevant health providers, Bupa members are enabled to strengthen their relationship with their surgeon and be more actively involved in their own care.”