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 Occupational Therapy? The term ‘occupational’ in the context of Occupational Therapy refers to everyday activities that people do, as well as activities that bring meaning and purpose to life: Occupational Therapy helps you participate in activities you find useful and meaningful, including: Through Occupational Therapy, you understand what activities you can do and...
What are Vaccinations? Vaccinations, also known as immunisations, are medicines that protect you against harmful diseases that you have not come into contact with before. They do this by encouraging your immune system to produce antibodies, as it does when exposed to a disease. You do not develop the disease because the medicine contains only...
What is Speech Therapy? Speech Therapy (or Speech Pathology) deals with speech and swallowing disorders. It helps you to communicate more effectively. Speech therapists (or Speech Pathologists) can help if you have problems with: They treat a range of conditions, including: Speech therapists work with people of all ages but more often with children and...
What is Remedial Massage? Remedial Massage is a Natural Therapy that aims to treat: It is a key component of sports medicine and often used to treat injuries like bruising, sprains and strains. Remedial Massage is increasingly used by anyone suffering from pain or injury in the body. A Remedial Massage Therapist uses deep massage...
What is Psychology? Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Psychologists are experts in mental processes, brain function and behaviour. They can help change the way you think, feel, behave and react. They treat: Psychology can help with any aspect of your life, such as understanding why you act the way you do...
What is Podiatry? Podiatry is the study of problems with the lower limbs, ankles and feet. A Podiatrist treats: Podiatrists work in a broad range of areas, including: Podiatrists with additional qualifications and registration may perform foot surgery. Is Podiatry a regulated profession in Australia? Yes. In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Board (Ahpra) and...
What is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy uses manual therapies like massage, manipulation, stretching and exercise programs to treat: Physiotherapists work with you to reduce pain and stiffness, speed up the healing process and improve movement. Is Physiotherapy a regulated profession in Australia? Yes. In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Physiotherapy Board of...
What is Osteopathy? Osteopathy is the study of biomechanics or how each part of the neuro-musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues) works and influences every other part. It is similar to Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Remedial Massage. Osteopathy is different because it draws on each to provide a holistic approach to health through manual...