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...
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...
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...
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...
Bupa members who had Hospital Cover claims rejected between 1 May 2018 and 31 August 2023 may be entitled to compensation. The health insurer has announced it incorrectly rejected “mixed coverage” claims – claims for 2 or more treatments at a time – and certain other types of claims during this period. Bupa has apologised...
Members of Teachers Health and TUH are about to become part of the sixth largest health insurer in Australia. The two not-for-profit insurers have announced they will merge next week on 1 July, forming a combined insurer that will cover 500,000 people, Teachers Health said. TUH said the merger will bring some small benefits to...
Australians uncertain about whether or not to get health insurance could find the decision a little easier next week, as of 1 July. Those who don’t have Hospital Cover and earn over a certain income threshold get charged the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time – a levy of between 1% and 1.5%. For some...
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,...
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Has your doctor recommended sinus surgery, or another nasal procedure such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction? All of these ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries are subject to long waiting times in the public hospital system in Australia. If breathing problems, recurring sinus issues and sleeping problems are having a serious impact on your life,...
If you’re living with diabetes, your doctor may have recommended devices such as insulin pumps or glucose monitors to help you manage your health. If you don’t qualify for government funding, some of these devices can be a high ongoing cost. Currently in Australia, insulin pumps are only subsidised for people with type 1 diabetes...
Hearing aids can make a world of difference if you’re experiencing hearing impairment, but unfortunately, they aren’t cheap to buy or get fitted. The Australian government subsidises the cost of hearing aids for certain people, but if you don’t qualify, you may be able to claim some of the cost on private health insurance. So,...
If you need a colonoscopy in Australia, you could face a long wait. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, people waited between 133 and 197 days for a non-urgent colonoscopy in a public hospital in 2022 (between 4 and 6 months). For faster treatment, you might be wondering if you can go...
There’s no two ways about it – braces are expensive. If you, or your child, might need braces in the near future, you might be wondering whether taking out health insurance for braces is worthwhile. Here, we crunch the numbers. Are braces covered by health insurance? Yes, braces are covered by health insurance – but...
Tonsillectomy is among the most common elective surgeries performed in Australia and there can be a long wait for public hospital treatment – up to 185 days (which is more than 6 months), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows. You might choose to use health insurance and get treated at a private hospital,...
If you’re among the 1.7 million Australians caring for someone with dementia, or you’ve been diagnosed with the condition yourself, you might be wondering whether private health insurance can help. While there isn’t a cure for dementia, there are many treatments that can help manage the condition. In this blog we’ll explain more about using...
If you’re among the 7 million Australians living with a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer or bronchiectasis, you’ll be very familiar with hospital and clinic waiting rooms. From medical procedures to lifestyle support, living with a lung condition means supporting your health is vital. Here’s what you need to...