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...
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 Australia...
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 billion...
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 wages. The...
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 peak body for...
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Yes. The Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHCL) does apply to a dependant over the age of 31, which may result in an increase to your health insurance premium. The LHCL is a penalty imposed on people taking out Hospital Cover for the first time after the age of 31. If a dependant with a disability over...
You will be exempt from paying the Lifetime Health Cover Loading on your Hospital Cover if you:
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been living overseas on your Base Day and return to Australia permanently, the Lifetime Health Cover Loading rules are different. There are two factors that will affect your Loading:Once you have calculated your Base Day, you can calculate your Lifetime Health Cover Loading by using...
If you are an Australian who lives overseas and returns to Australia temporarily, your Lifetime Health Cover Loading will depend on your particular situation. There are 3 factors that could affect your Loading:
If you are a new migrant to Australia, the Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Base Day rules are different.If you are a new migrant, your Base Day will be the later of:For example:
The Lifetime Health Cover Loading rules apply to people with a disability.As a dependent person with a disability who takes out Hospital Cover for the first time after your Base Day, you will have to pay a 2% loading for every year you are aged over 30.
Yes. You will have to pay the Lifetime Health Cover Loading if there was a gap in your Hospital Cover.However, if you had Hospital Cover on your Base Day and then cancelled or suspended your Hospital Cover, and the gap in your Hospital Cover is less than 1,094 days (3 years minus 1 day) during...
If you live in Australia permanently, your Base Day will be the later of 1 July 2000 or 1 July following your 31st birthday.For example:If you are a new migrant to Australia or an Australian who has been living overseas, the rules about how to calculate your Base Day are different.A quick and easy way...