Australia's four biggest health insurers, Medibank, Bupa, HCF and NIB, have scrapped plans to increase premiums on April 1, in recognition of the financial hardship facing many members as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The big four insurers were following the lead of West Australian not-for-profit fund HBF, which announced it would freeze premiums last week. As a result most Australians with private health cover will see no increase for at least six months.