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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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...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
How do ambulances services work in QLD? If you live in QLD, you do not have to pay for being treated by paramedics and/or transported by ambulance. The Queensland Government covers all ambulance costs for Queensland residents. This cover extends to Queenslanders who need ambulance services when they visit the other states and territories. If...