Australians are claiming on private health insurance more than ever, new data shows. The latest figures from APRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority), which regulates the health insurance industry, show that insurers paid $18.9 billion in Hospital Cover claims for the 12 months ending 31 March 2025 – an increase of 6.9%. For Extras Cover claims,...
Healthscope private hospitals remain open for surgeries and treatments, despite the organisation going into receivership this week. Some Australians with Hospital Cover were concerned that private hospital treatment could be harder to access in the wake of the Healthscope collapse, but the organisation said its hospitals will remain open for treatments. Healthscope – which operates...
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....
CEO and Founder
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Technical Officer
Writer and Researcher
UX/UI Designer
Brand and Graphic Designer
Led by Chris Payne
If there’s one thing you can count on as a parent, it’s that accidents and injuries are likely to happen. Whether it’s a sprain on the soccer field or grazes from falling off a bike, kids’ bodies often go through a bit of rough and tumble. While minor injuries aren’t a big deal, if you or...
If you’re taking out a health insurance policy for yourself only, or reviewing your existing policy because your health needs and budget may have changed, here’s what you need to consider to find the best cover for singles in Australia. Do I need health insurance for myself? The main benefit of private health insurance for...
If you’re in a relationship, you might be wondering whether you can get more value from your health insurance by combining cover with your partner. Or perhaps your children have left home and moved onto their own health insurance policies, so you’re considering changing from a Family to a Couples policy. Either way, you’ll want...
As the cost-of-living crisis continues in Australia, knowing how to save money on health insurance could pay off – literally. As experts on private health insurance, we at healthslips.com.au have plenty of great hacks for reducing the cost of private health insurance. Here’s our round-up of the best tips. Change your excess If you’re admitted...
Whether it’s dental visits or private hospital treatment for grommets, there are lots of good reasons to have private health insurance for your kids. But with living costs rising, you might be wondering whether you can get away with insuring your children only, and going without health cover for yourself and your partner. So, does...
Most people don’t think about their kidneys much, but for the 246,200 Australians who are living with kidney disease, this pair of essential organs is very much front and centre. Living with kidney disease means your day-to-day life is organised around a lot of medical appointments and lifestyle adjustments. If you’re looking for health insurance...
When you’re separating from your partner, there are a lot of tough decisions and arrangements to be made – especially when it comes to finances. One of the things you may need to do is change your health insurance policy and, if you have children together, decide how your children’s healthcare will be covered. We...
If you’re a young and healthy Australian, do you really need health insurance, since you can get public hospital treatment for free under Medicare? And if you’re an older Australian, is it worth getting health insurance, even though it might cost you more? There’s no best age to get health insurance, but there are lots...