| Publication: | The Herald Sun |
|---|---|
| Date: | 30 March 2010 |
| Section: | National |
Article excerpt:
HOSPITAL patients are facing shock bills of thousands of dollars because of restrictions and exclusions in health insurance policies. Others hit with yearly premium rises still risk being charged up to $10,000 or more in out-of-pocket fees for some doctor services.
A State of the Health Funds report, released yesterday, reveals complaints to the nation's private health insurance ombudsman about level of cover soared 68 per cent last financial year.
Most financially crippled by fine print needed surgery for expensive services such as hip replacements, heart and cataract surgery, obstetrics and psychiatric care. Others were stunned to find they were not fully covered for extras such as hearing aids.
The rise in disgruntled consumers comes as health insurance costs are set to climb a further $150 to $200, or 5.8 per cent on average, from April 1.
It was also revealed last week that Australia's biggest health insurer, Medibank Private, had slashed benefits for many costly procedures from one of its basic packages, First Choice Savers.
