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...
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...
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How do ambulance services work in the NT? If you live in the NT, you have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance. You can find the current fees and charges for ambulance services on St John NT Ambulance’s website. You do not have to pay for the service if you hold...
How do ambulance services work in NSW? If you live in NSW, you have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance. You can find the current fees and charges for ambulance services in NSW on NSW Ambulance’s website. You do not have to pay for ambulance services if you hold a:...
How do ambulance services work in the ACT? If you live in the ACT, you have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance. You can find the fees and charges for ambulances services in the ACT on the ACT Emergency Services Agency’s website. You do not have to pay for ambulance...
Although private health insurance covers a broad range of treatments within Hospital Cover, Extras Cover and Ambulance Cover, there are some treatments the Australian government excludes. We refer to these treatments as ‘excluded treatments’ because they cannot be covered. At present, there are 4 types of treatments that private health insurance does not cover because...
In Australia, Medicare does not cover ambulance services. In QLD and TAS, you do not have to pay for being treated by paramedics or transported by ambulance. If you live in a state or territory where you have to pay for an ambulance and do not have a private health insurance policy that includes ambulance...
If you are considering taking out private health insurance, you may want Extras Cover. Extras Cover helps you cover the cost of a wide range of treatments that Medicare does not cover. In this overview, we explain everything you need to know about Extras Cover. We also provide a detailed summary of each of the...