News
Denise eats soup to save money, but fears she can't afford private health
3+ hour, 1+ min ago (873+ words) Denise Peters has had private health insurance for 47 years. (ABC News: Kate Nickels) Older Australians are concerned about a federal government plan to reduce private health insurance rebates for over-65s. While the government argues the move is about fairness between…...
Tax windfall from Iran war to be pocketed in federal budget
2+ week, 2+ hour ago (885+ words) Jim Chalmers says upward revisions to revenue driven by the Iran war will be used to pay down debt. (ABC News: Stuart Carnegie) A larger-than-expected tax take driven by the Iran war will be entirely used to pay down Commonwealth…...
'Almost bullying': Private hospitals blame closures on 'cowboy' insurers
2+ week, 5+ day ago (1352+ words) Private hospitals are blaming large insurers for driving down prices and using "aggressive" negotiating tactics, leading to the closure of services. However, the health insurance peak body says there are more private hospitals now than 10 years ago. Private hospitals are…...
Health insurance giant Bupa accused of squeezing private hospitals with anti-competitive contracts
2+ week, 6+ day ago (132+ words) Australian Broadcasting Corporation VIDEO: Health insurance giant Bupa accused of squeezing private hospitals with anti-competitive contracts Health insurance giant Bupa has been accused of anti-competitive behaviour in its dealings with private hospitals. Business, Economics and Finance More ABC News video…...
Government ends special private health treatment for over 65s
3+ week, 4+ day ago (749+ words) Mark Butler revealed the changes during a speech to the National Press Club." (ABC News: Matt Roberts) Australians aged over 65 will have to pay about $240 more per year for private health insurance. The decision brings the rebate in line with…...
The loopholes to look for if you're considering downgrading your private health cover
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (1168+ words) Health insurance premiums rose on April 1. (ABC News) Private health insurance premiums rose on April 1 by an average of 4. 4 per cent, the highest increase in nearly a decade. It's another hit to the hip pocket for families struggling with rising…...
Concerns health insurers creeping towards US-style managed care
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (88+ words) VIDEO: Concerns health insurers creeping towards US-style managed care'Australian Broadcasting Corporation VIDEO: Concerns health insurers creeping towards US-style managed care Increasing partnerships between health insurers, GP centres and telehealth services has raised concerns about a potential two-tier system in which…...
Private health insurance price hike
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (66+ words) Health insurance premiums are going up. The federal government has approved a rise by an average of more than 4 per cent from April, "the highest increase since 2017. The Opposition is blaming the Government's economic management for the increase. But the…...
Private health patients stung by exclusions after downgrading policies
3+ mon, 4+ hour ago (1664+ words) Marie and Trevor Cox were long term Bupa customers and found their insurance did not cover joint replacements. (ABC News: Patrick Stone) Trevor Cox was driving his wife to hospital for an emergency shoulder replacement when a phone call changed…...
Cohealth CEO says closure follows 'death by thousand cuts' from government
7+ mon, 1+ day ago (828+ words) Cohealth's Collingwood practice is 75 years old. (ABC News: Shannon Schubert) Cohealth will stop offering GP services at its Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington clinics." About 12, 500 Victorians who receive care will be impacted and 20 doctors will be made redundant." The community health…...