The government has announced it will investigate health insurers for using a loophole to raise their prices. In December last year, Minister of Health Mark Butler warned health insurers to stop ‘phoenixing’ policies after a Commonwealth Ombudsman report brought the practice to light. By law, health insurers can only raise prices once a year, but...
Most Australians will pay more for health insurance next week due to a reduction in a rebate designed to make health cover cheaper. Cuts to the Private Health Insurance Rebate take effect on April 1 at the same time as most policies are increasing in price by an average of 3.7% – which adds up...
Out-of-pocket payments for Private Health Insurance claims continue to rise, putting more pressure on Australian households during the cost-of-living crisis. New data from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which regulates the health insurance industry, found a 7% increase in Gaps paid for Hospital Cover claims for the quarter finishing December 2024, compared with the same...
Health insurance will increase by an average of 3.7% in April – the highest premium increase since 2018. Every year health insurers are allowed to raise their premiums only once. This year, Minister of Health Mark Butler rejected insurers’ proposed increases (reportedly up to 6%) at least twice before agreeing on an average premium increase...
Australian private health insurers have been criticised for using a loophole to raise the prices of Gold Cover policies. This week the Commonwealth Ombudsman found evidence some insurers have been raising prices through ‘product phoenixing’ – closing existing policies to new customers, and creating almost identical policies at a higher price. As a result, new...
Australians with Private Health Insurance are paying higher out-of-pocket payments for hospital treatment than a year ago, new data shows. The latest statistics from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which regulates the health insurance industry, show out-of-pocket fees for private hospital treatment increased by 8% in the 12 months from October 2023 to September 2024....
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...
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...
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What is covered under Ear, Nose and Throat? Hospital Cover for Ear, Nose and Throat includes hospital treatment to investigate and treat the: Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Ear, Nose and Throat clinical category are in...
What is covered under Eye (not cataracts)? Hospital Cover for Eye (not cataracts) includes hospital treatment to investigate and treat the eye and the contents of the eye socket. Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Eye (not...
What is covered under Gastrointestinal Endoscopy? Hospital Cover for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy includes hospital treatment to diagnose, investigate and treat the internal gastrointestinal system using a device called an endoscope. Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy...
What is covered under Gynaecology? Hospital Cover for Gynaecology includes hospital treatment to investigate and treat the female reproductive system. Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Gynaecology clinical category are in other clinical categories. For example, treatments...
What is covered under Heart and Vascular System? Hospital Cover for Heart and Vascular System includes hospital treatment to investigate and treat: Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Heart and Vascular System clinical category are under other...
What is covered under Hernia and Appendix? Hospital Cover for Hernia and Appendix includes hospital treatment to investigate and treat appendicitis or a hernia. Examples include: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Some treatments you might expect to be in the Hernia and Appendix clinical category are in...
What is covered under Hospital Psychiatric Services? Hospital Cover for Hospital Psychiatric Services includes hospital treatment to treat and care for patients with psychiatric, mental or behavioural disorders and addiction. Examples include treatments for: This clinical category includes these treatments listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Which Hospital Cover tiers include Hospital Psychiatric Services?...