Doctors say some private health funds are reimbursing up to 30 per cent less for identical medical procedures than their rivals, as they push for reform of the insurance sector ahead of an expected increase in annual premiums for 14 million Australians.

Analysis by the Australian Medical Association of the rebates private health insurers give their members for a range of procedures found payments varied by as much as $500 less for basic procures such as having a baby.