Name: Rising private health insurance costs amid calls for reform
Uploaded: 2025-12-05T06:33:45.287Z
Duration: 1 min 47 s
Description: A report by the Australian Medical Association has found that patients are paying more for private health insurance but getting less value for their money in return. The findings come amid calls for urgent health sector reform.

A report by the Australian Medical Association has found that patients are paying more for private health insurance but getting less value for their money in return. The findings come amid calls for urgent health sector reform.

Canberra

More than 15 million Australians currently have private health insurance, but a recent report from the Australian Medical Association has raised concerns about rising premiums outpacing both inflation and wage growth. This trend has led to a decline in higher-tier policyholders and a reduction in the proportion of premiums returned to consumers as benefits.

The Federal Government is also addressing affordability issues in the public healthcare system, particularly regarding specialist appointment costs. Officials have indicated that all options are being considered to control rising costs and ensure future generations do not face a lower standard of living due to healthcare expenses.

Rising private health insurance costs amid calls for reform

More than 15 million Australians have private health insurance, but tonight, concerns many aren't getting bang for their buck. I do think it's getting more expensive, yeah. They're all kind of going up in price, so it's like, stick with what you know, I guess. And a damning new report out today by the Australian Medical Association agrees. We've seen private health insurance premiums rise above CPI rates, above wages rates, meaning that our private health insurance premiums are becoming less affordable. Which is forcing more Australians to downgrade their coverage. Since March 2020, the number of gold tier policies has fallen from 1.1 million to 743,000. The rate of premiums being returned to consumers as benefits has also fallen from 88% in 2019 to just over 84% last financial year. I've said if I don't continue to see those increases, then we will consider our legal options to mandate it. There are concerns too over the affordability in accessing Australia's public healthcare system. New data has revealed the rate of national bulk billing has increased to beyond 80%, but the out-of-pocket costs for specialist appointments remains a major issue. And the Federal Government knows it, flagging potential reforms to bring costs down. The access and affordability for non-GP specialist care is getting out of control. And I've made it really clear to doctors groups that from my point of view, all options to start to get that back under control are on the table. Under this Government's policies, the next generation will inherit a lower standard of living than their parents and their grandparents. That is just not good enough. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

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