6th July 2010

AHIA shows that private health insurance is important

From the 12 months from May 2009 to May 2010, AHIA industry health funds have been working hard for their members.

Research undertaken by the Australian Health Insurance Association (AHIA) states that over $11 Billion dollars was paid out to health insurance members through claims. This is an increase from last year’s benefits by $1 Billion dollars.

The AHIA is the Australian private health insurance industry’s peak representative body.

The report also details high hospital claims and the results suggest more people are claiming from their health insurers than ever before. Approximately 135,000 members claimed over $10,000 over a 12 month period, the highest claim being almost $440,000. Of these 135,000 high claims, 6000 were made by people under 30 years of age, an increase of 29% from last year.

AHIA CEO Dr Michael Armitage said the high claims report demonstrated the contribution Private Health Funds made to the lives of individuals as well as Australia’s health care system.

The most recent Health Payments Index, published by the AHIA, shows that Private Health Insurance payments for the 12 month period to May 2010 shows a 9.9% increase or an annual increase in payments of +$1 billion.