Aussies warned about ‘double dipping’ by medical specialists
If you’ve used health insurance to pay for surgery in a private hospital or clinic, check your bill to make sure you haven’t been charged a Gap incorrectly. That’s the advice from Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for the health insurance industry, after allegations that some specialists (including surgeons and anaesthetists) have been ‘double...
NSW residents may face higher bill for health cover next year
A ‘health tax’ passed by NSW government last week means NSW residents could face higher premiums for health insurance in 2025. The new legislation means the state government can increase its existing tax on private health insurance if insurers do not agree to pay a higher ‘bed rate’ of $892 for private patients in public...
Premiums predicted to rise by $114 a year
Hospital Cover premiums could be set to rise, due to a ‘health tax’ introduced in NSW this week. The NSW Government has introduced laws to force private health insurers to pay the correct rate for single rooms in public hospitals. The government says some private health insurers have not been paying the correct rate, with...
Claims for private hospital procedures rise, APRA report finds
More and more Australians are seeking private hospital treatment, new data has shown. The latest statistics from industry regulator Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) revealed a 5.1% increase in hospital treatment episodes claimed on health insurance in the 12 months from July 2023 to June 2024. Health insurers paid more than $18 million in claims...
Aussies parents paying large Gaps for obstetric care
Australian women who choose to have their baby delivered by an obstetrician at a private hospital are paying alarmingly high out-of-pocket fees, it’s been revealed. According to Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), the peak body for the health insurance industry, obstetricians are charging as much as $650 for first consultations, a significantly higher fee than that...
Health insurers respond to Ozempic’s popularity
One private health insurer has reduced its cover for Ozempic amid a surge of popularity for the weight-loss drug. Last month, HBF, the largest health insurer in Western Australia, announced it was reducing rebates for Ozempic, saying the rise in claims had become unsustainable. So far, no other insurers have changed their position on the...
Health insurers paying more benefits than ever, report shows
Australians are depending on their health insurance more than ever before, new data has revealed. The latest Private Health Insurance statistics from government regulator APRA has found that health insurers paid $17.6 billion in benefits for Hospital Cover treatments in the 12 months to March 2024, an increase of 9.7%. Insurers also paid out $6.2...
Misunderstanding health insurance policy causes ‘bill shock’
Not understanding exactly what your health insurance policy covers could leave you with ‘bill shock’ later if you need surgery or another significant treatment. A recent ABC story explored the impact of discovering your health insurance doesn’t provide the level of cover you expected. It profiles two Australian women who faced large bills for hip...