Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 4.41% on 1 April, but some Australians are already experiencing bill shock after finding their policies will increase by as much as 10.74%. In the past few weeks policyholders have been notified by health insurers about their premium rises on 1 April 2026 and in some cases, the increases are significantly higher than 4.41%. Analysis by health insurance comparison...
Out-of-pocket fees for Australians with health insurance have risen, new data shows. Statistics from health insurance industry regulator APRA reveal average Gaps for hospital treatment rose by 7.7% in 2025, from an average of $437.61 to $471.29. Gaps for Extras Cover claims were up 5.6% from an average $59.53 to $62.87. Despite the increased Gaps and the cost-of-living crisis, Australians are holding onto their health insurance policies. There was no change to...
The government has approved a 4.41% average health insurance premium rise for 2026 – the highest increase in 9 years. Every year, health insurers must apply to the Minister for Health and Ageing to raise premiums. Last year’s average increase was 3.73%, while the 2017 average was 4.84%. Policyholders will be advised of their premium change over the coming weeks, with new premiums effective from 1 April. The Private Health Insurance Rebate will also be reduced from 1 April...
Increased out-of-pocket costs for specialists are leading many Australians to delay or cancel specialist care, a recent study has found. A survey of 4,000 people by Private Healthcare Australia – peak body for the health insurance industry – found that 55% of people received a higher specialist bill than expected in the past 3 years, and almost one in 3 people had delayed or cancelled specialist care due to costs. The survey – which included 2,300 people...
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...
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Private health insurance exists to help you access healthcare treatments or services that might otherwise be very expensive or out of reach. Even if you’re healthy now, you don’t know what’s ahead, and it can be reassuring to know that if you face a long waiting list in the public health system, you could be...
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...
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 know...
For the 440,000+ Australians living with the impact of stroke, recovery can be a long journey. Rehabilitation after stroke is different for everyone, depending on how your brain is affected and how severe the stroke was. Here’s how private health insurance can help with the costs of recovery after a stroke. Your initial treatment will mostly...
If you’re a new migrant, we hope you’re enjoying life in Australia. One of the things you’ll need to think about as you adjust to life as an Aussie is our healthcare system. While many treatments and services are covered by Medicare, there are some advantages to taking out private health insurance. In some cases, getting...
If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, your doctors have probably given you lots of information about how to manage your condition. The good news is that some of the lifestyle changes to manage heart disease, and many heart disease treatments, are covered by private health insurance. There are 2 main types of health insurance –...
When you compare Extras Cover with Hospital Cover, you might ask yourself whether you need both. After all, Hospital Cover is there for health events that might involve hospital treatment, while Extras Cover (also known as general or ancillary cover) is often considered more for ‘health maintenance’. So if you want to save money on...
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...