PHI Premium Increase 2024 - Minister seeks further information
Dear Department of Health,
This is a formal FOI request application.
Please provide any correspondence, including attachments, briefs, emails and other documents:
• Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and stakeholders; or
• Between the Minister for Health and Aged Care and stakeholders; or
• Between the Office of the Minister for Health and Aged Care and stakeholders; or
• Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Office of the Minister for Health Aged Care; or
• Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for Health and Aged Care
regarding the Minister for Health and Aged Care's decision to seek further information from private health insurers to provide a more reasonable figure for private health insurance premiums between 1 November - 5 March 2024.
For the purposes of this FOI, stakeholders refers to private health insurance companies, private hospitals, and associations.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and transcripts.
Yours faithfully,
Bev D
Yours faithfully,
Bev D
Good afternoon Ms D,
Transfer of freedom of information request to another agency
I refer to your request received by the Department of Health and Aged Care
(the department) for access to documents under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act). You have requested access to:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024, any correspondence,
including attachments, briefs, emails and other documents regarding the
Minister for Health and Aged Care's decision to seek further information
from private health insurers to provide a more reasonable figure for
private health insurance premiums:
1) between the Department of Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
2) Between the Minister for Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
3) Between the Office of the Minister for Health and Aged Care and
stakeholders;
4) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Office of the
Minister for Health and Aged Care;
5) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for
Health Aged Care.
I am writing to tell you that the department has transferred the
highlighted part of your request to the Minister for Health and Aged Care
the Hon. Mark Butler MP (the Minister’s office).
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the department is able to transfer a
request if the subject matter of the document is more closely connected
with the functions of another agency.
On 10 April 2024, the department transferred the part of your request
which relates to documents held by the Minister’s office to the Minister’s
office, whose functions are more closely connected to the subject area.
This department will continue to process the remaining part of your
request.
We received your request on 9 April 2024 and the 30-day statutory period
for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. The
Minister’s office will treat your request as though it received it the
same day that this department did. You should expect a decision from the
Minister’s office by 9 April 2024. The period of 30 days may be extended
if the Minister’s office needs to consult third parties or for other
reasons. You will be advised if this happens.
We note the department provides administrative assistance to the
Minister’s Office in relation to FOI matters. An FOI officer of this
department will be in contact with you shortly on behalf of the Minister’s
office.
Kind regards,
Hannah
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Legal and Assurance Division
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [1][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples
as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to
them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Good afternoon Ms D,
I refer to your request received by the Department of Health and Aged Care
(the department) for access to documents under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act). You have requested access to:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024, any correspondence,
including attachments, briefs, emails and other documents regarding the
Minister for Health and Aged Care's decision to seek further information
from private health insurers to provide a more reasonable figure for
private health insurance premiums:
1) between the Department of Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
2) Between the Minister for Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
3) Between the Office of the Minister for Health and Aged Care and
stakeholders;
4) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Office of the
Minister for Health and Aged Care;
5) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for
Health Aged Care.
I am writing to tell you that on 10 April 2024, the Minister for Health
and Aged Care (the Minister’s office) has accepted transfer of part of
your request from the department.
The reference number for your request is FOI-5078. Please ensure that you
quote this number in future correspondence concerning this request.
Timeframes
Your request was received by the Department on 9 April 2024 and the
30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day
after that date. The Minister’s office will treat your request as though
it received it the same day that the department did. You should expect a
decision from the Minister’s office by 9 May 2024. The period of 30 days
may be extended if we need to consult third parties or for other reasons.
You will be advised if this happens.
Other information
The Minister’s office may impose a charge for the work involved in
providing access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you
will be notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise:
· any draft and duplicate documents will be excluded from the scope
of your request, and
· any Commonwealth employee names below Senior Executive Service
level and direct telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the
scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on the department’s disclosure log
[1]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where
this would be unreasonable.)
The department provides administrative assistance to the Minister’s Office
in relation to FOI matters, and we are notifying you of the partial
transfer of your request on behalf of the Minister’s office.
You can contact the FOI team via email at [2][email address] or by phone
on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions in relation to your
request.
Kind regards,
Hannah
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Legal and Assurance Division
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples
as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to
them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. http://www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-d...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
Good afternoon Ms D,
Acknowledgement of receipt of Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request received by the Department of Health and Aged Care
(the department) for access to documents under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act). You have requested access to:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024, any correspondence,
including attachments, briefs, emails and other documents regarding the
Minister for Health and Aged Care's decision to seek further information
from private health insurers to provide a more reasonable figure for
private health insurance premiums:
1) between the Department of Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
2) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Office of the
Minister for Health and Aged Care;
3) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for
Health Aged Care.
For the purposes of this FOI, stakeholders refers to private health
insurance companies, private hospitals, and associations.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and
transcripts.
The reference number for your request is FOI-5068. Please ensure that you
quote this number in future correspondence with us concerning this
request.
Timeframes
Your request was received on 9 April 2024. The statutory timeframe for
processing your request is 30 calendar days and you should expect to be
notified of a decision from the department on or before 9 May 2024. The
period of 30 days may be extended if the department needs to consult
third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Other information
The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise:
· any draft and duplicate documents will be excluded from the
scope of your request, and
· any public service employee names below Senior Executive Service
level and direct telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the
scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on our disclosure log
[1]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where
this would be unreasonable.)
You can contact the FOI team via email at [2][email address] or by phone
on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Hannah
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples
as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to
them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.
Dear Ms D,
I refer to your FOI request 5068 below received by the Department of
Health and Aged Care (the department).
The relevant business area of the department considers that your request
in its current form is broad and would likely capture an extensive range
and number of documents. Processing your request may substantially and
unreasonably divert the resources of the agency from its other operations
such that it may attract a practical refusal notice pursuant to section
24AA of the FOI Act.
On that basis, we ask that you consider revising the scope as below to
help us to process your request.
“Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024,
1. any ministerial briefs and ministerial submissions from the Department
of Health and Aged Care to the Minister for Health and Aged Care (and
his office) that informed his decision to seek further information
from private health insurers to change for private health insurance
premiums, and
2. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and
private health insurers that requested private health insurers to
revise their requested private health insurance premiums.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and
transcripts.”
We would appreciate it if you could respond by COB Tuesday 23 April 2024.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [1][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
From: FOI <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 2:32 PM
To: 'Bev D' <[FOI #11309 email]>
Subject: TRIM: Freedom of Information Request 5068 – Acknowledgement of
Receipt [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Good afternoon Ms D,
Acknowledgement of receipt of Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request received by the Department of Health and Aged Care
(the department) for access to documents under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act). You have requested access to:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024, any correspondence,
including attachments, briefs, emails and other documents regarding the
Minister for Health and Aged Care's decision to seek further information
from private health insurers to provide a more reasonable figure for
private health insurance premiums:
1) between the Department of Health and Aged Care and stakeholders;
2) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Office of the
Minister for Health and Aged Care;
3) Between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for
Health Aged Care.
For the purposes of this FOI, stakeholders refers to private health
insurance companies, private hospitals, and associations.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and
transcripts.
The reference number for your request is FOI-5068. Please ensure that you
quote this number in future correspondence with us concerning this
request.
Timeframes
Your request was received on 9 April 2024. The statutory timeframe for
processing your request is 30 calendar days and you should expect to be
notified of a decision from the department on or before 9 May 2024. The
period of 30 days may be extended if the department needs to consult
third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Other information
The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise:
· any draft and duplicate documents will be excluded from the scope
of your request, and
· any public service employee names below Senior Executive Service
level and direct telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the
scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on our disclosure log
[2]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where
this would be unreasonable.)
You can contact the FOI team via email at [3][email address] or by phone
on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Hannah
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [4][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples
as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to
them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.
Dear FOI,
Thank you for your response. I acknowledge your partial transfer of the request to the Minister for Health and Aged Care.
Separately, happy to amend the scope of the review as follows:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024,
1. any ministerial briefs and ministerial submissions from the Department of Health and Aged Care to the Minister for Health and Aged Care (and his office) that informed his decision to seek further information from private health insurers to change for private health insurance
premiums, and
2. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and private health insurers that requested private health insurers to revise their requested private health insurance premiums, and
3. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and third parties (i.e. consultants supporting the Department with premium rounds) that related to the request for private health insurers to revise their requested private health insurance premiums.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and transcripts.
Yours sincerely,
Bev D
Dear Ms D,
I refer to your request below, seeking access under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to the following documents:
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024,
1. any ministerial briefs and ministerial submissions from the Department
of Health and Aged Care to the Minister for Health and Aged Care (and his
office) that informed his decision to seek further information from
private health insurers to change for private health insurance premiums,
and
2. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and
private health insurers that requested private health insurers to revise
their requested private health insurance premiums, and
3. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and
third parties (i.e. consultants supporting the Department with premium
rounds) that related to the request for private health insurers to revise
their requested private health insurance premiums.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and
transcripts.”
Notice of Third Party Consultation
Documents have been identified in the scope of your request which contain
information relating to third parties. It has been determined that it
would be appropriate to consult with the affected third parties under
sections 27 and 27A of the FOI Act prior to a decision on access to those
document being made.
Section 15(6) of the FOI Act allows the timeframe for processing your
request to be extended by 30 days to facilitate this consultation.
Accordingly, the statutory due date for your request is now Saturday 8
June 2024.
The department will continue processing your request and provide you with
a decision on access as soon we are able to do so.
Relevant provisions
The FOI Act, including the provisions referred to in this email, can be
accessed from the Federal Register of Legislation website:
[1]www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A02562.
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this email
you should contact the department’s FOI Section by email at
[2][email address].
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
Dear Ms D,
We refer to your FOI request to the Minister for Health and Aged Care,
received on 9 April 2024.
Please find attached a decision on access.
If you have any queries in relation to this decision, please contact the
FOI Section of the Department of Health and Aged Care on the details
below.
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [1][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms D,
I refer to your request to the Department of Health and Aged Care (the
department) of 9 April 2024 seeking access to the following under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
Between the period 1 November 2023 to 5 March 2024,
1. any ministerial briefs and ministerial submissions from the Department
of Health and Aged Care to the Minister for Health and Aged Care (and his
office) that informed his decision to seek further information from
private health insurers to change for private health insurance premiums,
and
2. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and
private health insurers that requested private health insurers to revise
their requested private health insurance premiums, and
3. any correspondence between the Department of Health and Aged Care and
third parties (i.e. consultants supporting the Department with premium
rounds) that related to the request for private health insurers to revise
their requested private health insurance premiums.
Please do not include duplicates, or publicly available documents and
transcripts.
The statutory due date for your request is currently 8 June 2024.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the department to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
The department is processing your request and the decision will be sent to
the decision maker shortly. For the decision maker to make a well-balanced
decision on access to many documents identified within the scope of your
request, the department is seeking your agreement to an extension of seven
calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 15
June 2024. The department will, however, continue to process your request
as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by Wednesday 5 June 2024 if you
agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you by this date
or if you do not agree to the extension, the department may consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[1][email address].
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms D,
We refer to your FOI request 5068 received on 9 April 2024.
Please find attached a decision on access together with the documents
referred therein.
If you have any queries in relation to this decision, please contact the
FOI Section on the details below.
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [1][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
Our reference: RQ24/02173
Agency reference: 5068
Department of Health and Aged Care
By Email: [1][email address]
Bev D
By Email: [2][FOI #11309 email]
Extension of time under s 15AB
Dear Parties,
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.
Regards,
[3][IMG] Sarah Forrester
Assistant Director, Freedom of Information Branch
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Sydney | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
P (02) 9246 0569 E [4][email address]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country
across Australia and their continuing connection to land,
waters and communities. We pay our respect to First
Nations people, cultures and Elders past and present.
[5]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #11309 email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...