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Private health insurance to rise after government approves premium hike Private health insurance to rise after government approves premium hike
(30 days later)
Labor has slammed the federal government for giving private health insurers the green light to lift their premiums by an average of 3.25% next year.Labor has slammed the federal government for giving private health insurers the green light to lift their premiums by an average of 3.25% next year.
The health minister, Greg Hunt, says the rise for the 13 million Australians with private health cover is the lowest since 2001 and will come into effect on 1 April.The health minister, Greg Hunt, says the rise for the 13 million Australians with private health cover is the lowest since 2001 and will come into effect on 1 April.
“This premium change will see a single person pay an average of $1.14 extra per week and a family on average will pay $2.35 more a week,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.“This premium change will see a single person pay an average of $1.14 extra per week and a family on average will pay $2.35 more a week,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
But the opposition health spokeswoman, Catherine King, said the above-inflation price hike will be a major hit to family budgets and force more people to dump their private health cover.But the opposition health spokeswoman, Catherine King, said the above-inflation price hike will be a major hit to family budgets and force more people to dump their private health cover.
“Already, Australians are downgrading or ditching their private health cover in record numbers in response to relentless price rises, soaring out-of-pocket costs and growing exclusions,” she said.“Already, Australians are downgrading or ditching their private health cover in record numbers in response to relentless price rises, soaring out-of-pocket costs and growing exclusions,” she said.
Australians dumping private health insurance as prices riseAustralians dumping private health insurance as prices rise
Premiums rose by just over 50% between 2010 and 2016, before climbing another 3.9% in 2017.Premiums rose by just over 50% between 2010 and 2016, before climbing another 3.9% in 2017.
In its annual review of the private health insurance industry released in November, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found more Australians are downgrading or dumping their private health insurance because of rising premiums.In its annual review of the private health insurance industry released in November, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found more Australians are downgrading or dumping their private health insurance because of rising premiums.
Labor has vowed to slap a cap on big health insurers to restrict their annual premium rises to 2% if it wins the next federal election due in May.Labor has vowed to slap a cap on big health insurers to restrict their annual premium rises to 2% if it wins the next federal election due in May.
The first of the insurers to move on the government-approved hike was Medibank Private and ahm, which will lift premiums by an average of 3.3%.The first of the insurers to move on the government-approved hike was Medibank Private and ahm, which will lift premiums by an average of 3.3%.
The Medibank Private CEO, Craig Drummond, said this was the group’s lowest average premium increase in 18 years.The Medibank Private CEO, Craig Drummond, said this was the group’s lowest average premium increase in 18 years.
“Healthcare costs in Australia have been tracking at an average of 4.6% above inflation each year over the past 10 years, largely driven by more frequent and more expensive hospital admissions and a population that is getting older,” he said in a statement.“Healthcare costs in Australia have been tracking at an average of 4.6% above inflation each year over the past 10 years, largely driven by more frequent and more expensive hospital admissions and a population that is getting older,” he said in a statement.
Private health insurance changes 'will lead to premium hikes'Private health insurance changes 'will lead to premium hikes'
The coalition government, meanwhile, has introduced its own reforms, including new rules that allow private health insurers to offer 18- to 29-year-olds discounted premiums, as well as better mental health cover for all customers and benefits for people in rural areas who need to travel for medical treatment.The coalition government, meanwhile, has introduced its own reforms, including new rules that allow private health insurers to offer 18- to 29-year-olds discounted premiums, as well as better mental health cover for all customers and benefits for people in rural areas who need to travel for medical treatment.
The government has also set up a new rating system to make it easier for people to choose private health cover.The government has also set up a new rating system to make it easier for people to choose private health cover.
The minimum hospital treatments covered by the new policy bands – gold, silver, bronze and basic – will come into place in April.The minimum hospital treatments covered by the new policy bands – gold, silver, bronze and basic – will come into place in April.
Drummond said the government’s reforms will lead to lower increases in premiums for many customers and offer them “greater choice”.Drummond said the government’s reforms will lead to lower increases in premiums for many customers and offer them “greater choice”.
“The challenge remains as to how we can continue to deliver quality healthcare in Australia at an affordable price,” he added.“The challenge remains as to how we can continue to deliver quality healthcare in Australia at an affordable price,” he added.
Premium changes by providers can be above or below the government average depending on a variety of factors, including coverage type and location.Premium changes by providers can be above or below the government average depending on a variety of factors, including coverage type and location.
Private health insurancePrivate health insurance
Labor partyLabor party
Greg HuntGreg Hunt
CoalitionCoalition
Liberal partyLiberal party
HealthHealth
Healthcare industryHealthcare industry
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