Publication: Herald Sun
Section: Breaking News
Date: 25 February 2011
Malcolm Farr, National Political Editor
Article excerpt:
PRIVATE health insurance premiums will rise by 5.57 per cent on April Fool's Day, almost twice the rate of inflation. Health Minister Nicola Roxon today approved the premium increase for 34 out of the 35 health funds to start on April 1. The minister attempted to soften reaction to the hit on family budgets by saying it was lower than last year's 5.78 per cent rise, and lower than during the last four years of Tony Abbott's period as Health Minister, when the average jump was 6.44 per cent. The premium rises and a comparison of health insurance products can be found at www.privatehealth.gov.au.
Article summary:
The Government says that that the premium rise is due to greater use of private health insurance, as health funds paid out $12.2 billion to customers in 2009-10, an increase of 7.7 per cent over the year. Health insurance premium increases will vary across the health funds depending on the level of the health cover policy.
