Planning a family is a pivotal moment in any couple's life, and one that requires serious forethought.

Among the factors you should be considering is how private health insurance can help the mother through pregnancy and beyond. In this article, we'll explore the role that a good plan can play in covering the costs of medical care, allowing you choice over your obstetrician and making life easier as the due date gets closer.

Expanding your company overseas is one of the most exciting moments in the career of anyone in business. 

However, sending your staff to work in other countries presents some unique challenges - most importantly keeping them safe. 

This article will provide you with vital information on providing private health insurance for Australian expat employees, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Private health insurance gives consumers more freedom when it comes to health care. As of 31 December 2017, 45.6 per cent of the Australian population were covered by hospital treatment insurance, according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). The APRA quarterly report shows that health insurance funds are returning the highest percentage of the premium back to members of all insurance types.

According to the World Health Organisation, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and in order for people who experience such mental health disorders to receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, prompt access to specialists is paramount. Recent research in Australia, however, has indicated that underfunding has led to extended wait times and a shortage of highly skilled mental health practitioners.

Basic cover is an essential part of the complex private health insurance market, and a product of high value to those who use it. Despite that fact, it has come under fire in the media recently with some industry commentators questioning it's value.

With that in mind, let's have a closer look at why the market needs basic health insurance, and why so many customers value it.

Over 13.5 million Australians have some form of private health insurance, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) data shows. That's well over half the population, a coverage level far better than many other advanced nations like New Zealand, the UK and Ireland. 

Statistics on employee retention issues in Australia aren't pretty. In fact, employee turnover averages at 16 per cent every year and almost half of upper management believe that number is far too high. 

Pouring money down the metaphorical drain is the worst nightmare of most business owners. That's why before starting any new initiatives to improve your business you should be sure that they'll make a positive difference - corporate health insurance in Australia is no exception. 

But it can be tough to know what questions to ask when buying corporate health insurance, and to figure out what's really important. 

Business efficiency. 

It's a phrase thrown around so often that it loses meaning, but it's also an essential factor of any business's success. A recent OKI study found that 78 per cent of businesses intend to implement new initiatives to improve cost efficiency in the next year.  Are you looking to do the same? How can you get started?

Articles, opinion pieces and statistics about Australia's brain drain flood the internet and intermittently appear on back covers of our nations most respected newspapers. It's certainly a topic of hot contention, but is it a real concern for Australian businesses?