Published Australian Financial Review, 2018
“Kevin Cheng says healthcare spending is spiralling out of control.
Cheng, a medical doctor and former management consultant, cites a prediction that by 2040, the proportion of government revenue spent on health will rise to 40 per cent, up from 24 per cent in 2014.
By 2040, healthcare will account for 36 per cent of gross household income, up from 16 per cent in 2017.
But with a focus on prevention rather than cure, the rate of growth could be curtailed, he says. Cheng is the founder of Osana, and is establishing clinics that focus on prevention.
Patients have access to three types of carer: doctors; care managers including dieticians, physiotherapists and psychologists; and health assistants who provide support such as booking appointments and goal motivation.
“Research has shown that having a team working together on your health, as opposed to an individual doctor, leads to better health outcomes,” he says.
Patients pay an annual fee to cover the cost of services that are not provided by Medicare. All other services are bulk billed.
Osana, which has opened three clinics in Sydney, expects video consultations will be used to supplement physical appointments.
Australia, Cheng says, is a long way behind the US in this area.”