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 for private hospital treatment over that period – an increase of 7.9%.  

“Two-thirds of planned surgery is now funded by private health insurance, which is critical at a time when public hospitals are under pressure and waiting lists have blown out across the country,” said Dr Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia.  

The APRA data also showed out-of-pocket payments for Hospital Cover claims jumped up 7.1% in the same 12-month period. The average gap for hospital treatment was $437.51 for the April to June 2024 quarter, with medical Gaps for orthopaedic being the largest, costing Australians an average of $713.01. 

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Australians are still holding onto their health insurance, with the number of Hospital Cover and Extras Cover policies dropping only 0.1% respectively in the April to June 2024 quarter.  

Read the full APRA findings here. 

Trudie McConnochie

Writer and Researcher

Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.

Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.

Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.

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