We always aim to do the right thing by our customers. If you feel something isn't right or if we’re not meeting your expectations, we’d like the opportunity to resolve it.
This document sets out ahm’s process for handling customer complaints. It includes information about:
- how to lodge a complaint
- our resolution process
- what you can do if you’re unhappy with the outcome of your complaint.
Guiding principles
This policy, and the complaint handling process that supports it, were developed to ensure customers know how to make a complaint and what to expect. We are guided by the following principles:
In keeping with these materials, our policy and complaint handling system are guided by the following principles:
- People-focused – We acknowledge that customers have a right to complain, and we will work with them in a mutually respectful way to resolve complaints within a reasonable timeframe.
- Visible & transparent – We’ll make sure that information about how to make complaints (to us, or about us) is made widely available.
- Accessible – We’ll make sure our complaint handling system is accessible to everyone, support customers to make a complaint where needed and enable them to have another person assist or represent them in making a complaint.
- Responsive – We’ll acknowledge customer complaints promptly and advise them if we are unable to deal with all or part of their complaint. We will also deal with complaints efficiently and with regard to the urgency of the issues raised.
- Fair & objective – We’ll deal with complaints in an objective and unbiased manner, and provide for ‘unsatisfactory’ outcomes to be reviewed by an independent person.
- Accountable & preventative – We’ll ensure clear accountability for the operation of our complaint handling system and resolving the root causes of recurrent complaint issues.
- Informative – We’ll draw from complaint data to continuously improve our products and services.
This policy also aligns with ahm’s responsibilities under the Private Health Insurance Code of Conduct, and guidelines set out in the Australian/New Zealand Standard 10002:2014 Guidelines for Complaint Management in Organisations.
Lodging a complaint
If you have feedback, or would like to lodge a complaint please email us at feedback@ahm.com.au, or contact us through one of the below channels:
- message us at ahm.com.au
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Phone 134 246 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm AEST)
When lodging a complaint, it helps to provide us with as much relevant information as possible, including:
- ahm policy number
- full name
- a clear description of your concern, and what you believe caused it
- whether your concern relates to a specific claim or interaction
- your desired outcome
- any special arrangements you’d like us to follow, such as a preferred contact method or support needs.
To protect the security of your personal information, please don’t include details such as your credit card number or password.
Process and timelines
We’ll aim to resolve your complaint when you first contact us, e.g. during the call or chat when the complaint is first raised.
In more complex cases – where immediate resolution is not possible – we’ll escalate your complaint to our Customer Advocacy Team. This is a specialist team who will investigate your concerns. When lodging a complaint at feedback@ahm.com.au an acknowledgement email will be sent notifying you that we have received you feedback. The Customer Advocacy case manager assigned to handle the matter will:
- conduct an independent review of the matter
- provide an expected timeframe to resolve your complaint
We seek to resolve all complaints within 10 working days. Where it appears this timeframe won’t be met, we’ll contact you to:
- let you know about the expected delay
- explain the reasons for the delay
- provide an alternative timeframe.
Due to the current volume of feedback there may be a delay to these timelines, we will continue to prioritise any urgent cases such as those involving a threat to life, an upcoming hospital admission or any situation involving financial hardship.
If we haven’t met the process or timeframes mentioned above, we would like to address this. Please email your complaint details to feedback@ahm.com.au
When settling your complaint with you, we’ll explain the reasons for our proposed resolution. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, we’ll let you know about your right to seek an external review of the matter (see ‘External review,’ below).
Enquiries
You can make enquiries about your complaint directly to your assigned case manager by calling 134 246.
Case managers will respond to enquiries within a reasonable timeframe. In urgent cases – like those described above – we’ll highlight your enquiry as a priority and get back to you as quickly as we can.
Remedies
When deciding how to resolve your complaint, we’ll consider what would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Where we have done the wrong thing, we’ll always aim to return you to the circumstances you were in before the problem arose.
Remedies we may apply include:
- apology e.g. a verbal or written apology given in recognition of harm or impact you experienced
- information e.g. verbal or written advice to clarify one of our fund rules or policies
- refunds e.g. returning a premium payment, where appropriate in the circumstances
- financial compensation e.g. by providing you with a benefit payment or reimbursement in recognition of a genuine grievance, where appropriate in the circumstances
- referral e.g. to make sure you’re aware of your right to seek an external review of the matter if you wish (see ‘External review,’ below)
- other i.e. any other remedy we consider appropriate in the circumstances.
External review
If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can pursue the matter through the independent dispute resolution service offered by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO):
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To make a complaint, contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.gov.au
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For general information about private health insurance, see www.privatehealth.gov.au
No charge, no disadvantage
We won’t charge you a fee to make a complaint. And we’ll take all reasonable steps to make sure you’re not adversely affected because of a complaint made by you or on your behalf.
Privacy
We’re committed to protecting our customers’ personal information in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other relevant state and territory laws.
In keeping with this commitment, all personal information we collect in relation to your complaint will be handled in accordance with the ahm Privacy Policy.