Aussies continue to value private hospital care

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Aussies continue to value private hospital care
While private health insurance membership falls, Australians continue to value access to high quality health
care from private hospitals – with episodes of care in the private sector increasing, the latest data shows.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) data on private health insurance released today
shows private health insurance participation has dropped, with only 44.2 percent of the population holding
insurance (about 11 million Australians).

Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) CEO Michael Roff said while the trend away from
Australians investing in private health insurance was a concern, the value of private hospitals remained
high.

"Episodes of care in the private hospital sector increased by seven percent this quarter. Australians still
want access to the choice offered in private hospitals – choice of doctor, choice of surgery timing and high
quality services," he said.

Mr Roff said private health insurers still had a job to do convincing Australians the products they offer are
value for money.

"We know Australians value hospitals, but we understand that when they are buying Basic products – junk
policies – that offer them little more than access to public hospitals, Australians feel they are not getting
much bang for their buck.

"On top of that, we are seeing continued growth in policies that exclude services – which now make up
almost 60 percent of the market - so Australians may be buying products that don't meet their needs.

"I encourage all Australians to go over their health insurance policies with a fine tooth comb every year to
make sure they are covered for the services they need. If not, change policy, change insurer," Mr Roff said.

APHA has already begun discussions with the Government on the next wave of reforms to improve the
value and affordability of health insurance, he said.

"Although there has been a slight reduction in private patients being treated in public hospitals, this practice
is still costing health funds $1.2 billion per year, driving up the cost of premiums. The practice of public
hospitals forcing some insured patients to use their insurance, and allowing others to jump the queue in
front of public patients, must be addressed in the next health funding agreement between the
Commonwealth and the States," Mr Roff said.

-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 3.69 million patients a year, including treatment of more than a third of chemotherapy, 60
percent of all surgery, 74 percent of all elective musculoskeletal surgery and 79 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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