Steve Wright wonders whether the government's plans to use private health care facilities to reduce elective surgery waiting lists is a good idea.

Steve Wright asks; How proactive are life advisers expected to be with their existing clients? The answer is not straightforward.

Opinion: The Code requires advisers to do annual CPD (Continuing Professional 
Development).  I come across various questions from life advisers about CPD, so I thought the beginning of the year might be a good time to share my thoughts on those questions regarding CPD for giving life and health insurance advice (not that required for selling or running your business).

The shooting of US health insurance chief executive Brian Thompson has lessons for insurers.

Steve Wright asks questions about a recent FSCL decision on funeral insurance and what it means for insurance advisers.

Opinion:  In a reported complaint to her insurer and FSCL, a person apparently paid premiums totalling $37,000 over 17 years, for a funeral benefit of $10,000.  Although the complainant was paid compensation by the insurer (the basis for such compensation and its value is unknown to me) the client also made a complaint to FSCL against their adviser, who ‘sold’ them the policy in 2007!  The adviser agreed to pay $500.

[Opinion] Recent reports in Good Returns by AIA speak of the fact that many advisers are experiencing high levels of stress. Some advisers and FAPs I speak with tell me that one cause of stress and anxiety for them is uncertainty about what is expected of them when giving advice.

[Opinion] Steve Wright asks how much do life and health advisers need to know about medical conditions in order to provide suitable advice?

[Opinion] Unless you are a tax expert you should not give tax advice.  But does this mean life and health insurance advisers can simply ignore tax when it comes to giving advice?

[Opinion] Steve Wright argues it's time that health insurance claim benefits are indexed.

The FMA has flagged suitability of advice is something it will focus on. Steve Wright digs into the issue to explore what suitable advice means for risk advisers.

Steve Wright suggests it’s time to rethink trauma policies so they are more equitable rather providing wind fall gains to some policyholders.

Steve Wright examines the FMA's FAP monitoring report and explains where FAPs and advisers need to lift their game.

Funding cancer drugs – has there ever been a better time to demonstrate the value of health insurance?

Steve Wright says there are valuable lessons for advisers from a recent complaints ruling in Australia.

Steve Wright has dug deeper into the Contracts of Insurance Bill which is before Parliament and examined the proposed changes to non-disclosure.