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,...
Healthscope private hospitals remain open for surgeries and treatments, despite the organisation going into receivership this week. Some Australians with Hospital Cover were concerned that private hospital treatment could be harder to access in the wake of the Healthscope collapse, but the organisation said its hospitals will remain open for treatments. Healthscope – which operates...
The government has announced it will investigate health insurers for using a loophole to raise their prices. In December last year, Minister of Health Mark Butler warned health insurers to stop ‘phoenixing’ policies after a Commonwealth Ombudsman report brought the practice to light. By law, health insurers can only raise prices once a year, but...
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What is Occupational Therapy? The term ‘occupational’ in the context of Occupational Therapy refers to everyday activities that people do, as well as activities that bring meaning and purpose to life: Occupational Therapy helps you participate in activities you find useful and meaningful, including: Through Occupational Therapy, you understand what activities you can do and...
What are Vaccinations? Vaccinations, also known as immunisations, are medicines that protect you against harmful diseases that you have not come into contact with before. They do this by encouraging your immune system to produce antibodies, as it does when exposed to a disease. You do not develop the disease because the medicine contains only...
What is Speech Therapy? Speech Therapy (or Speech Pathology) deals with speech and swallowing disorders. It helps you to communicate more effectively. Speech therapists (or Speech Pathologists) can help if you have problems with: They treat a range of conditions, including: Speech therapists work with people of all ages but more often with children and...
What is Remedial Massage? Remedial Massage is a Natural Therapy that aims to treat: It is a key component of sports medicine and often used to treat injuries like bruising, sprains and strains. Remedial Massage is increasingly used by anyone suffering from pain or injury in the body. A Remedial Massage Therapist uses deep massage...
What is Psychology? Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Psychologists are experts in mental processes, brain function and behaviour. They can help change the way you think, feel, behave and react. They treat: Psychology can help with any aspect of your life, such as understanding why you act the way you do...
What is Podiatry? Podiatry is the study of problems with the lower limbs, ankles and feet. A Podiatrist treats: Podiatrists work in a broad range of areas, including: Podiatrists with additional qualifications and registration may perform foot surgery. Is Podiatry a regulated profession in Australia? Yes. In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Board (Ahpra) and...
What is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy uses manual therapies like massage, manipulation, stretching and exercise programs to treat: Physiotherapists work with you to reduce pain and stiffness, speed up the healing process and improve movement. Is Physiotherapy a regulated profession in Australia? Yes. In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Physiotherapy Board of...
What is Osteopathy? Osteopathy is the study of biomechanics or how each part of the neuro-musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues) works and influences every other part. It is similar to Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Remedial Massage. Osteopathy is different because it draws on each to provide a holistic approach to health through manual...