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Health Insurance

'First time in 167 years': Hospital chain flags shock split from major health insurer

St Vincent's is planning to end its contract with private health insurer nib after negotiations for renewal broke down.  
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A graphic showing a St Vincent's hospital and nib logos side by side, separated by ripped paper

The absence of a basic cybersecurity measure led to the Medibank hack, regulator alleges

The OAIC alleges Medibank failed to act on multiple reports of vulnerabilities in its cyber security framework before a lack of multi-factor authentication led to a major data hack of nearly 9.7 million past and current customers.
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A few people walk up and down stairs. The left wall is white paneling bearing the Medibank logo

Medibank to be sued by privacy regulator over cyber hack

In 2022 the private health insurer was exposed to a cyber-attack and the personal details of 9.7 million customers were released on the dark web.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 6 minutes 42 seconds

Medibank legal case a 'wake-up' call for Australian businesses

The Australian Information Commissioner is suing Medibank over a 2022 hack that leaked sensitive data about millions of Australians.
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A man stands in an alleyway.

Calls for total ban on genetic tests in life insurance assessments

Labor MP Julian Hill is pushing for a total ban on what he calls genetic discrimination after being told testing for a condition his daughter has could void his insurance policy.
Life Insurance, Genetic Testing: Stock image of blue DNA structure against black background.
Duration: 4 minutes 9 seconds

'A snake eating its own tail': Some private health insurance policies have increased up to five times the approved average

In some cases, policyholders have been hit with an increase as high as 17 per cent — experts say Australia's aging population may be to blame.
Surgery theatre, green walls

Insurer slashes rebates for Ozempic as private health funds navigate 'grey area' of 'vanity' use

Australia's major health insurers are at odds over how to treat the diabetes and weight loss medication Ozempic, with one insurer slashing benefits amid a worldwide shortage.
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A man sits on a couch holding a vile of Ozempic

Major health fund reduces rebates for Ozempic amid increasing demand

WA's largest private health insurer is slashing rebates for weight loss drugs including Ozempic, saying the rise in claims — amounting to 40 per cent of all off-schedule pharmaceuticals — has become unsustainable.
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Two boxes of Ozempic being held by a pharmacist.

Households choosing food over insurance cover despite financial planners warning of big risks

There is mounting evidence that basic forms of insurance are becoming unaffordable for many Australians as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
An aerial photo of a new housing estate with empty blocks and several new houses being built.

Australians seeking hip replacements tripped up by health insurance fine print

Smart people are getting caught out on private health insurance — so do they need to be more savvy, or does the system need to change? 
An X-ray printout showing a pelvis with two hips replaced.

With health insurance premiums about to increase, these people decided to 'self-fund' their private healthcare instead

As private health premiums are set to rise, some Australians are making a conscious decision to opt for "self-insurance" rather than "health insurance" to cut down on expenses. Experts warn it's not for everyone.
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The outside of a Medibank branch.

These public health patients got sick of waiting for essential surgery and turned to the private system instead

Sick of languishing on the public hospital waitlist for surgery, or even just an initial consultation, these Australians felt they had no choice but to take out private health cover and wait through the 12-month exclusion period.
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A composite image of George Corcoran and Cat Felmingham

Victor Harbor Private Hospital to close with beds to be transferred to public system

Hospital chairperson Phil Goode says a lack of GPs able or willing to admit patients and provide post-operative care and increasing difficulty negotiating contracts with private health insurers contributed to the decision.
A man stands in front of a sign that reads Victor Harbor Private Hospital

Health insurers using 'sneaky tactics' to charge more for top level hospital cover without breaking the law

A report from consumer group Choice claims health insurers have been increasing premiums for top-tier hospital cover by more than three times the amount set by the federal government in the past three years without breaking the law.
Medibank

Is private health insurance really worth it?

Are you better off getting cover or relying entirely on the public system? Answering that is complicated but could be worth your time.
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Australian banknotes, mostly $50 bills, strewn over a flat surface.

Growing concerns of skyrocketing insurance premiums

A Brisbane resident saw a 400 per cent increase to her premiums and experts are warning millions are paying at least one month's salary for insurance policies. 
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ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 52 seconds

Health minister tells insurers to 'have another go' after rejecting premium increases

Under federal law, health insurers can increase premiums once a year but must seek the minister's approval.
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A close shot of Mr Butler's face, looking serious.

Para-athlete living in a hospital after being forced from NDIS-funded home

The 29-year-old para-athlete is homeless after vacating her specialist disability accommodation property, with doctors unwilling to discharge her from hospital while she has nowhere to go.
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a woman in a wheelchair inside a hospital room with flowers and hospital food

Calls to change how life insurance companies view mental health

Mental health organisations have shared their concern that legal loopholes in life insurance policies will ultimately dissuade people from getting psychiatric help.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 3 minutes 18 seconds

Nearly 1 million Australians have unclaimed Medicare benefits waiting for them

An average of $240 is waiting to be claimed by nearly a million Australians who have out-of-date or unrecorded bank details with Medicare.
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Hands take Australian money notes out of a wallet.

Private maternity, ICU services at regional hospital to continue, but for how long?

A five-week review has secured the short-term future of the two units, but St John of God Bendigo Hospital says more patronage is needed to keep them open long-term.
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exterior of st john of god bendigo hospital in bendigo, victoria

Dad who 'should have been very, very dead' survives as new report offers rural health solutions

A study of eight regional towns has found location significantly impacts access to health care, suggesting more targeted investment of health dollars is needed.
Man sits outside a cafe with a cup of coffee

Private hospital on NSW Central Coast to close as industry struggles to stay afloat

The newest private hospital on the NSW Central Coast is set to close as the private health industry faces major challenges right across Australia.
Large, new green and grey hospital building.

'Unpoliced pots of gold': The questionable business practices in podiatry 

An investigation into the business practices of a podiatrist who describes himself as probably the highest-paid practitioner in Australia has exposed some deep failings in the health system that open it up to rorting and privacy breaches.
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A person uses a ruler to measure someone's feet.

'A little bit daunting': Couple's firstborn on the way as future of maternity ward questioned

Australia's biggest private hospital provider says many maternity services are under pressure as St John of God Bendigo Hospital considers closing its ward.
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A couple in a garden.