The Federal Government is looking at forcing private health funds to axe further benefits which have little or no medical assistance.
The Government is already introducing regulations to scrap payments for "lifestyle" benefits like running shoes, gym fees and golf clubs.
Now Health Minister Kay Patterson wants to crack down further and she is looking at axing alternative therapies like iridology, homeopathy, shiatsu and reflexology.
"I want to know what proportion on ancillary's are paid on this and I believe it is appropriate to examine it and to ensure the health funds provide services which have a direct health benefit," Ms Patterson said.
Labor's Julia Gillard believes some of the lifestyle and alternative benefits are questionable.
"The problem is they don't offer any real health benefit," Ms Gillard said.
Ms Gillard thinks the Government has been too slow to act against the funds.
