Infertile women and private health insurance policy holders are the big losers in the federal health budget.

A shake-up of the Medicare Safety Net  means payment will be capped for specialist services including IVF and obstetrics, with the government saying it currently pays an average of 4.5 million dollars a year to the top 10 per cent of IVF specialists.

From January 1, 2010, safety net payments will be capped at $200 for the planning and management of a pregnancy, $30 for a pregnancy consultation and $550 for the planning and management of an IVF pregnancy.

The 30 per cent private health insurance rebate will now be means tested once an individual earns more than $75,000 and a couple earns more than $150,000.

It cuts out completely once an individual earns more than $120,000 and couples earn $240,000.

And in a double-whammy, those who don't have private health insurance will have the Medicare Levy Surcharge increased from one per cent to 1.25 or 1.5 per cent depending on their income.