Health Insurance

St Vincent's is planning to end its contract with private health insurer nib after negotiations for renewal broke down.  

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.

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.

The Australian Information Commissioner is suing Medibank over a 2022 hack that leaked sensitive data about millions of Australians.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There is mounting evidence that basic forms of insurance are becoming unaffordable for many Australians as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

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? 

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.

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.

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 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.

Are you better off getting cover or relying entirely on the public system? Answering that is complicated but could be worth your time.

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. 

Under federal law, health insurers can increase premiums once a year but must seek the minister's approval.

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.

Mental health organisations have shared their concern that legal loopholes in life insurance policies will ultimately dissuade people from getting psychiatric help.

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.

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.

A study of eight regional towns has found location significantly impacts access to health care, suggesting more targeted investment of health dollars is needed.

The newest private hospital on the NSW Central Coast is set to close as the private health industry faces major challenges right across Australia.

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.

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