Health, Roxon at odds on rebate claims

The Federal Health Department says it expects 40,000 people to drop all or part of their private health insurance because of changes to the Government rebate.

The Government wants to means test the 30 per cent rebate for people earning more than $75,000.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says she expects 22,000 people will drop their cover because of the changes.

But Penny Shakespeare from the Health Department has told a Senate estimates hearing she expects there will be other changes.

"In addition to the 25,000 that are expected to drop their hospital and or general treatment cover, there would be an additional 10,000 people that have hospital and general treatment cover that will keep their hospital cover and drop their general treatment cover," she said.

"And 5,000 people who have general treatment cover only that will drop their general treatment."

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