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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When you enrol in Medicare, you are given a Medicare Card.It is a plastic card similar in size to a credit card. It is proof you are enrolled in Medicare.Your Medicare Card records your Medicare Number, name, IRN (individual reference number) and the date your card will expire.It looks like this:It allows you to access...
Medicare Bulk Billing explainedMedicare Bulk Billing is when your health professional bills Medicare directly for the services they provided to you. You do not pay for the medical service they provided because the health professional bills Medicare.Your health professional accepts the Medicare Benefit as full payment for the service.You assign the Medicare Benefit to them...
As Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare pays for some of the costs of your health care.It does not pay for all the costs of the medical services you use.How to access Medicare To access Medicare, you need to be eligible to enrol.When you enrol, you receive a Medicare Card. It looks like this:Unless you...
You are eligible for Medicare in Australia and receive a Medicare Card if you live in Australia and you are:Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with a number of countries. This means you may also be able to register for Medicare if you are visiting from:
Medicare is Australia’s universal health care scheme.It is funded by the Commonwealth Government.Through Medicare, Australians and some overseas visitors can access a wide range of health and hospital services at no cost or reduced cost.Services provided by Medicare at no cost or reduced cost include:Services subsidised by the Australian Government under Medicare are listed in...
In this Guide, we provide an overview of Medicare in Australia, as well as answer your most common questions.Medicare is Australia’s universal health scheme, which means you can receive a wide range of medical treatments for free or at low cost.This Guide explains: