Any pharmacare plan that aims to remove financial barriers to treatment and eliminate inequities should prioritize those who face the highest out-of-pocket drug costs, such as people with disabilities.
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Articles on Private health insurance
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It can be hard to work out what calculations to make when deciding on private health. So we asked a health economist to break it down.
During the pandemic, there have been fewer claims on private health insurance. So why are premiums going up?
Drop, suspend, downgrade or keep? Many people are feeling the pinch and wondering if private heath insurance is worth keeping during the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what to consider.
New private health insurance data show young people are continuing to drop their cover. But the industry's argument a youth exodus will put pressure on public hospitals isn't necessarily right.
Young people should pay less for private health insurance. So should people who are healthy, as they're less likely to access private health care.
In April, private health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 2.92%. It's the lowest rise in 19 years but still much higher than wages growth. And insurers still make a healthy profit.
Young people don't see the value in private health insurance and are dropping their cover in droves. Allowing under 55s to pay lower premiums, based on their lower risk, could keep them in the system.
Specialists can charge patients what they want, and some doctors charge exorbitant amounts. A handful of services account for almost 90% of all medical gaps.
Patients often want the option to be treated at home rather than being admitted to hospital. But it's much less likely to happen if you're a private patient.
Young people continue to cancel their private health insurance despite discounts to entice them to stay. Instead, we should reduce their premiums based on their likelihood of needing health care.
From this week, private health insurers are unable to provide rebates for 16 natural therapies. But these changes may have unintended consequences.
A raft of changes to private health insurance in Australia will come into effect on April 1. Here's what you need to know.
When you enter a public hospital, you are likely to be asked if you have private health insurance, and if you want to use it. This is what you need to consider.
Subsidies for private health insurance premiums cost the government over A$6 billion a year. Is it time to scrap the rebate and redirect these funds elsewhere in the health system?
Australians are waiting too long for elective surgery, dental care and treatment for mental health. It's no wonder health is a vote-changer.
Private health insurance premiums will rise from April 1, leaving consumers wondering if they should give it up or downgrade to save money.
Private health insurance premiums are set to rise again. These 14 charts (well, technically 10 charts and four tables) look at some of the reasons why health insurance premiums keep going up and up.
We are paying more for our health insurance because we are using it more. No crude, short-term measures to restrict premium growth will deal with this fact.
Private health insurance is meant to take pressure off the public system. But with exclusionary policies, people are increasingly avoiding the levies and using the public system anyway.
Top contributors
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Stephen Duckett is a Friend of The Conversation.Director, Health Program, Grattan Institute
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Professor, Allied Health Research, Melbourne Health, La Trobe University
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Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
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Lecturer, Public Sector Finance, University of Canberra
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Senior Lecturer, School of Economics, University of Adelaide
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney
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Adjunct Associate Professor, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney
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Reader in Health Economics, Centre for Health Economics, University of York
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Bologna, University of Newcastle
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Melbourne
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Emeritus Professor, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney
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Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University
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Professor of Health Economics, Flinders University
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Policy Head, Research Assets, Sax Institute; Co-Director, Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, Australian National University
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Fellow, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University
