Aussies encouraged to check their private health insurance cover

Monday 2 March 2020

Aussies encouraged to check their private health insurance cover
A new report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) shows Aussies should
check their private health insurance to make sure they are adequately covered, says Australian Private
Hospitals Association's (APHA) CEO Michael Roff.

The annual report from the consumer watchdog – 'Report to the Australian Senate on anti-competitive and
other practices by health insurers and providers in relation to private health insurance' – shows hospital
policies with exclusions now make up the majority of policies offered by insurers.

"In the reporting period hospital policies with exclusions increased by nearly 14 percent. That means more
Australians are not getting full cover and may not have a policy that will meet their needs." Mr Roff said.

"We encourage Australians to check their policy every year and make sure it fits their changing family
circumstances, their age and their health needs. Unfortunately, too many people take a 'set and forget'
approach to private health insurance and end up needing a procedure they are not covered for. The private
health insurance policy you need at 30 is not the same as the one you need at 45 or at 65 years old.

"We understand that Australians are feeling the pinch when it comes to low wages growth and increasing
policy premium costs, we encourage them to do some research to find a policy that will best suit their
needs and those of their family.

"Unfortunately it is often the role of the private hospital to let people know that their policy will not cover
them for a procedure they need. It is devastating to have to share that news with people when they are
vulnerable and unwell.

"Another issue is the number of junk or 'basic' policies still on the market. These policies have appeal due
to cost, but unfortunately they don't cover people for most treatments in private hospitals," he said.

Mr Roff encouraged Australians to access the www.privatehealth.gov.au website to find a policy that suits
their needs.

ACCC report: www.accc.gov.au/system/files/1637_Private%20Health%20Insurance%20Report_D03.pdf

-ENDSMedia contact: Frith Rayner, Director Communications and Marketing, 0413 971 999
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) is the peak industry body representing the private hospital and day surgery
sector. The private hospital sector treats 4.5 million patients a year, including treatment of a third of chemotherapy, 60 percent of all
surgery, 74 percent of all elective musculoskeletal surgery and 80 percent of rehabilitation.

Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

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