The Australian Medical Association (AMA), an advocacy group for doctors, says private health insurance no longer provides value for money, and wants the government to overhaul the industry. The association’s annual Private Health Insurance Report Card, released today, found premium prices had doubled over the past 16 years, outstripping health inflation.“Australians are paying more for their...
Increased claim costs are putting health insurers under pressure, new data shows. The latest figures from industry regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), show $5.2 million was paid for hospital treatment claims in the September 2025 quarter – an 8.0% increase compared with the same quarter last year and much higher than the growth in...
Specialist fees for private hospital care in Australia have increased dramatically – in some cases, by as much as 9 times, new data shows. Figures from Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for the health insurance industry, found that average out-of-pocket fees charged for treating private patients have surged by staggering amounts between 2018-19 and 2023-24. Average...
The Minister of Health has warned health insurers to focus on providing value to customers when they apply to increase their premiums over the next few weeks. Private health insurers are allowed to raise premiums once a year only, subject to government approval. Insurer applications for 2026 premium increases are due in November, with approved prices...
Some ACT residents are being hit with shock bills for public hospital treatment, new figures show. Following news this week that health insurance premiums for ACT residents may rise by at least $180 next year, an analysis of billing records has revealed the high Gaps being paid for Canberra hospital treatment. Data from Private Healthcare Australia...
With public hospitals under strain, health insurers are paying out greater sums for private patient treatment, new data shows. Quarterly health insurance statistics released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, which regulates the industry, showed a significant increase in the amount paid for Hospital Cover claims in the June 2025 quarter. Health insurers paid $4.98 billion...
New data from the Australian Tax Office shows that the number of people being charged the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) has almost quadrupled over 6 years. Data found 768,537 Aussies paid the MLS in the 2022-23 financial year, up from 196,807 in 2017. An article in The Australian says the increase is due to rising wages. The...
Australians treated with natural therapies may soon be able to claim rebates on Extras Cover. Following a review completed last year, the government has reinstated 7 of the 16 natural therapies that were removed from private health insurance cover in 2019. The health insurance industry is now developing framework to cover: Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for...
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Taking out a health insurance policy is a great way to cover yourself in the event of illness or an injury. But to claim on that policy, you have to take it out well before you need or get treatment, due to health insurance waiting periods. A waiting period is the amount of time you have...
Around one in 5 Aussies will experience a mental health condition every year, so if your mental health isn’t as great as you’d like it to be, you’re not alone and there is lots of support out there for you. When it comes to support for mental health, private health insurance can help you get the...
If you’re self-employed, either as a small business owner or one of the 1.5 million sole traders or freelancers in Australia, you probably keep a very close eye on the flow of money coming in and out. Health insurance can be a big expense, which means you might be wondering if you can do without...
Like any aspect of life that’s complicated, health insurance is an area that’s shrouded in myths and misconceptions. Since some of those misconceptions could be costing you money, we at healthslips.com.au – your health insurance experts – are here to sort fact from fiction. To help you get health insurance savvy, here are some of the...
If you, or someone you love, is living with arthritis, you’re far from alone. Arthritis is the third most common chronic condition in Australia, according to the ABS, and reportedly affects 3.7 million of us. Arthritis is a term encompassing many different forms of conditions that affect the joints and cause inflammation, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis...
If you, or someone you love, has been diagnosed with cancer, we hope you have lots of support around you. The word ‘cancer’ is news that no one wants to hear, yet 452 Australians are diagnosed with this illness every day. You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, so we’re here to give you the...
If you’ve ever had to call an ambulance and then received a bill a few days later, you’ll know all too well that ambulance treatment in Australia is not funded by Medicare. In 2 states, ambulance call-outs are funded by their state governments, but for most of Australia, calling an ambulance will set you back...
Maybe you’ve just finished studying or you’re moving out of home. Maybe you’ve entered your 30s or got married. Whatever your reasons for getting your own health insurance in your 20s instead of relying on your parents’ health cover, it’s a good feeling to be taking control of your finances and becoming independent. It can,...