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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If you’re among the many Australians awaiting a hip replacement, you’re in good company. Around 35,500 total hip replacements are done every year in Australia, and for those who go through a public hospital, the average wait is around 175 days. That’s a long time to be in pain and having trouble walking – so...
When you look at your bank statement, health insurance is probably one of the higher costs appearing in the ‘money out’ column. Private health insurance can certainly comprise a large chunk of most Aussie household budgets, especially when you consider premiums usually increase every year. Here are some of the reasons health insurance costs so...
So, you just got married. Congratulations! If you’ve been living together for a while, you might already have a joint bank account, but have you thought about a joint health insurance policy? Sure, it’s probably not your first priority after the wedding, but Health Insurance when you’re married is definitely worth considering. Before you and...
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If you’re aged 60-plus, you might be hearing a few more creaks and groans from your body than you used to, and you may be finding yourself attending more medical appointments than in previous years. For that reason, you might be considering getting private health insurance. And if you already have health cover, you may...
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Whether you’re reading this because the cost of health insurance in Australia has gone up or you just want general advice to save money on health insurance, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 5 common health insurance mistakes made by Australians…Mistake #1 – setting and forgetting Many Aussies take out a health insurance...
Have you been notified by your health insurer about a premium price rise? The timing is not convenient given we’re in a cost of living crisis, but unfortunately health insurance is one of those expenses that’s likely to change every year, despite what’s happening with the economy. In this article, we explain why health insurance costs...