EQ Pathology, an innovative insurtech company, has introduced HealthIQ, the first fully digital and automated medical reporting system. This technology replaces the traditional paper-based PMARs with a structured online format, allowing insurers to gather precise medical information more quickly. This transformation enables straight-through processing, leading to much faster policy approvals and a significant reduction in the administrative burden for doctors. As a result, this innovation represents a pivotal change in the life insurance landscape, promising substantial benefits for all parties involved.
The digital transformation of PMARs holds significant implications for the life insurance sector in Australia. By streamlining the information-gathering process, insurers can make quicker and more informed decisions, leading to faster policy issuance. For GPs, the reduction in paperwork allows them to allocate more time to patient care, thereby improving patient outcomes. Additionally, prospective policyholders benefit from reduced waiting times, gaining access to necessary coverage without prolonged delays. This progress addresses a critical inefficiency in the industry, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and experience.
As digital PMARs gain traction, further advancements in the integration of medical reporting systems directly into GPs’ practice management tools are expected. This integration will streamline the reporting process, making it even more seamless for doctors and insurers. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence in underwriting can further refine data analysis, allowing insurers to make more accurate and efficient policy decisions. Insurers like Acenda are already leading the way in adopting these technologies, as evidenced by their collaboration with EQ Pathology. Their efforts in transforming the underwriting process have been recognised with industry awards, highlighting the potential of digital solutions to reshape the life insurance sector in Australia.
Published:Monday, 4th Aug 2025
Source: Paige Estritori
![]() | Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance 28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori Insurance premiums for group life policies with long-term benefits have surged between 15% to 25% on average in the first half of the year, according to a mid-year market update from Marsh Australia. While the steepest increases affected those with adverse claims experiences, short-term rates and premiums for permanent disabilities remained relatively steady. The sector has also become more selective, with insurers adopting stricter underwriting standards, particularly eschewing high-risk industries. - read more |
![]() | Concerns Arise Over Construction Code Pause Amid Housing Push 28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori The federal government's initiative to accelerate housing development by relaxing certain building regulations has raised alarm within the insurance sector. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil announced changes on social media, indicating a strategic pause on parts of the National Construction Code to expedite building approvals and encourage the construction of much-needed homes across Australia. This move comes in response to challenges in the approval process, which often delays construction. - read more |
![]() | RACQ Insurance Ordered to Increase Payout After Claim Handling Flaws 27 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori RACQ Insurance has been instructed to bolster a payout to a customer following a ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). The dispute arose after the insurer's handling of a house fire claim lodged by a woman in October 2023 was found lacking. The fire, initiated by scented candles, resulted in significant fire and smoke damage to her home. - read more |
![]() | ASIC Review Puts Life Insurance Sector Under Scrutiny 26 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has spotlighted significant shortcomings in the direct sale of life insurance products, urging the industry to reassess its sales practices. The recent review unearthed ongoing issues with remuneration structures, indicating that some insurers still link commissions to sales targets, potentially fostering aggressive sales tactics. The study further revealed a troubling rise in claims disputes, with reported cases more than doubling since 2018, raising concerns about the transparency and trustworthiness of these policies. - read more |
![]() | Ombudsman Sides with Insurer on Imposed Excess Dispute 25 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori A recent ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has upheld an insurer's decision to impose an additional $2000 excess on a property policy, following a dispute raised by a policyholder over claims history impacts. - read more |
![]() | AFCA Rules on Disputed Car Insurance Payout 22 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has decided against a man's claim for a car insurance payout, which he pursued following a dispute with his ex-wife. The issue arose when the man's Toyota Landcruiser was involved in an accident in April, prompting him to file for a cash settlement of $55,950. However, the ex-wife, who held the insurance policy, later blocked his access to the payout. - read more |
![]() | Natural Disaster Preparedness: Insurance Tips for Farmers Facing Adversity In the heart of New Zealand's pastoral verdure, the significance of preparedness for natural disasters is paramount for the farming industry. The distinct landscape, while providing an idyllic backdrop for agricultural pursuits, is not without its challenges. Farmers are often at the mercy of nature's unpredictability, making disaster preparedness not just prudent but essential for the continuity of their livelihood. - read more
|
![]() | Customizing Your Farm Insurance: Tailoring Policies to Fit Unique Agricultural Needs Those who work the land know that every farm has its own heartbeat - its unique rhythm defined by the crops it yields, the livestock it nurtures, and the natural environment it exists within. Recognizing this individuality is crucial, especially when it comes to safeguarding your agricultural investment with the right insurance policy. - read more
|
![]() | Protecting Your Farming Future: Why Machinery Breakdown Coverage is Essential Farming is a vital part of New Zealand's economy and cultural heritage, representing a way of life for thousands across the country. With its unique landscapes and diverse climate, New Zealand farmers are renowned for producing a wide array of high-quality products that serve not only the nation's needs but also supply a multitude of international markets. - read more
|
![]() | Securing Your Farm's Future: Top Estate Planning Tips for New Zealand Farmers New Zealand's farming community forms the backbone of its thriving agricultural sector, yet many overlook the critical importance of proactive estate planning. With farmland often being held within families for generations, securing its future is not just a financial concern, but a deeply personal one as well. - read more
|
![]() | Safeguarding Your Harvest: The Importance of Crop Insurance In the ever-unpredictable world of farming, crop insurance emerges as a pivotal ally for farmers, hedging against the myriad of risks that come with cultivating the land. As the first step to understanding this crucial safeguard, let's unfold the question: What is crop insurance, exactly? In essence, crop insurance is a type of cover designed to cushion farmers from financial losses due to unavoidable circumstances such as adverse weather conditions, pests, disease, or even market fluctuations. - read more
|
![]() | On-Farm Safety: Insurance Tips to Minimize Accidents and Liability For Australian farmers, every day presents a complex web of activities that demand not only their physical toil but also a keen attention towards safety. On-farm safety is paramount and is the shield that guards the well-being of both workers and operations in Australia's diverse agricultural landscape. It's not just about the immediate repercussions of accidents, but also their long-term impact on a farm's viability. - read more
|
![]() |
Natural Disaster Preparedness: Insurance Tips for Farmers Facing Adversity In the heart of New Zealand's pastoral verdure, the significance of preparedness for natural disasters is paramount for the farming industry. The distinct landscape, while providing an idyllic backdrop for agricultural pursuits, is not without its challenges. Farmers are often at the mercy of nature's unpredictability, making disaster preparedness not just prudent but essential for the continuity of their livelihood. - read more
|
![]() |
Customizing Your Farm Insurance: Tailoring Policies to Fit Unique Agricultural Needs Those who work the land know that every farm has its own heartbeat - its unique rhythm defined by the crops it yields, the livestock it nurtures, and the natural environment it exists within. Recognizing this individuality is crucial, especially when it comes to safeguarding your agricultural investment with the right insurance policy. - read more
|
![]() |
Protecting Your Farming Future: Why Machinery Breakdown Coverage is Essential Farming is a vital part of New Zealand's economy and cultural heritage, representing a way of life for thousands across the country. With its unique landscapes and diverse climate, New Zealand farmers are renowned for producing a wide array of high-quality products that serve not only the nation's needs but also supply a multitude of international markets. - read more
|