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...
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...
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Almost half of Australian adults experience sleep problems regularly, and if you or a family member is one of them, there are treatments available. The good news is that some treatments for sleep apnoea and other sleep issues are covered by health insurance. Does health insurance cover sleep studies? A sleep study is where you’re...
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 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...
If you’re using Hospital Cover to pay for surgery or a hospital procedure as a private patient, you probably assume your insurer will pick up the bill. But unfortunately health insurance doesn’t always cover 100% of the private hospital costs – sometimes there will be out-of-pocket costs, also known as Gaps. So what is a...
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...
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...
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...
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,...