HOUSEHOLDS are facing fresh cost-of-living pressure, with private health insurance premiums increasing last week, in many cases exceeding the government-approved 4.41 per cent rise.
The increase comes as households already grapple with higher fuel prices and stretched budgets, forcing some families to reconsider their healthcare spending.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) warns the rising costs reflect deeper structural problems in the private health system, including outdated policy settings, inconsistent rebates and growing pressure on public hospitals.
AMA President, Dr Danielle McMullen, is calling for coordinated reform to improve affordability and ensure long-term sustainability.
“Our public hospitals are already overwhelmed, and governments cannot keep up with demand,” Dr McMullen said.
She said more Australians are turning to the private system for timely care, but are increasingly exposed to out-of-pocket costs.
To highlight the issue, the AMA has released a new online resource, The gaps that create gaps, outlining policy failures driving higher patient costs.