The number of Australians paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time continues to rise. New data from the Australian Tax Office shows the number of people who paid the Surcharge jumped from 768,537 in 2022-23, to 885,087 in 2023-24 – a 15% increase. The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to people who earn above the ATO income threshold and do not have Hospital Cover covering all members of their household. The thresholds...
Health insurance regulations mean top-level cover has increasingly become unaffordable for many Australians. That’s the finding in an Actuaries Digital article, which suggests that the 4 tiers – Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold – should be restructured. The number of Australians with Gold tier policies has dropped from 95% in 2005 to just 30% in 2026, due to younger claimers being concentrated on expensive Gold policies. This means many people do not have access to services such as private maternity cover, assisted reproductive services...
Australians with health cover are paying larger out-of-pocket costs for private treatment than ever, new data shows. The average Gap for private hospital treatment has climbed to $511.02 – an increase of 8.4% from the previous quarter, according to the latest statistics from government regulator APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority). Average Gaps for Extras Cover have increased to $65.02 – a 3.4% rise. Orthopaedic procedures remain the most expensive when it comes to out-of-pocket costs, with...
The cost of raising children continues to rise, with policies for families among the hardest hit in the latest health insurance premium increases.Analysis by health insurance comparison site healthslips.com.au found increases to Family and Single Parent policies have risen higher than policies that don’t include children.The government announced health insurance premiums would rise by an...
Senior Australians are facing a double whammy of health insurance cost rises, putting extra pressure on wallets during the cost-of-living crisis. Changes to the Private Health Insurance Rebate, coupled with high premium increases to policies that meet health needs of people over 65, mean senior Australians will be hit doubly hard by new health insurance changes. Currently the Private Health Insurance Rebate reduces premiums for people on low incomes by up to 24.288%, with reductions...
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...
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The following steps can help you decide which Hospital Cover tier is best:
Yes. You can purchase Hospital-only Cover.Most private health insurers offer Hospital Cover, Extras Cover and combined cover (both Hospital Cover and Extras Cover).
Generally, private health insurers impose waiting periods before you can make a claim, when you take out Hospital Cover or upgrade your policy.Occasionally, insurers may waive waiting periods.Waiting periods are designed to ensure that individuals cannot make a large claim and then cancel their policy shortly after becoming members.Waiting periods vary depending on the clinical...
Hospital Cover is a type of health insurance that helps you pay for the cost of treatment as a private patient in hospital. If you have Hospital Cover, you can choose to be treated as a private patient in a:
How do ambulances services work in WA?If you live in WA, you have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance.You can the current fees and changes for ambulance services in Western Australia on the St John WA Ambulance website.You do not have to pay for the service if you hold a:WA...
How do ambulances services work in VIC?If you live in VIC, 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 Victoria on Ambulance Victoria’s website.You do not have to pay for ambulance services if you hold:You may not have to...
How do ambulances services work in TAS?If you live in TAS and you are in the state or its islands, you do not have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance.The Tasmanian government covers the costs of ambulance services for Tasmanian residents.The exceptions are if you have:If you are visiting Tasmania...
How do ambulances services work in SA?If you live in SA, you have to pay for being treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance.You can find SA’s current fees and charges for ambulance services on the SA Ambulance Service website.You do not have to pay for the service if you hold a:You do not have...