Queensland private health insurance costs the second-highest in Australia

QUEENSLAND has the second-highest average private health insurance costs in the country, with families slugged $600 less if they lived in Western Australia or $1300 less in the Northern Territory.

• Family health cover to rise by $180
• Last-minute chance to save on health cover
• Double blow to health cover costs
• Aussies ditching expensive health cover

QUEENSLAND has the second-highest average private health insurance costs for ­singles and families of any state or territory in Australia.

The average family would pay up to $600 less for hospital cover if they lived in Western Australia, or $1300 less in the Northern Territory.

Only Victoria had more expensive health insurance than the Sunshine State.

More claims from our ageing population, differences in what specialists charge and state-based taxes and health sector wages are being blamed for our hip-pocket pain.

Queensland families paid an average $4659 a year for private hospital cover in 2017, compared with those in WA at $4081 and the NT at $3319, based data from comparison website finder.com.au.

The cost will go up again from Sunday with private health insurance premiums set to rise by 3.95 per cent.

Private Healthcare Australia chief executive Dr Rachel David said the difference likely came down to the cost of the health sector doing business in each state.

“There are differences between the states on state-based taxation, like payroll tax, as well as differences in wages,” she said.

Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David.

AMA President Michael Gannon. Picture: AAP

While it is illegal to vary prices for individuals based on their age or other risk factors, places with older populations can see more frequent claims for chronic conditions which puts pressure on the actual cost to the insurer.

Finder.com.au insurance spokeswoman Bessie Hassan said differing state taxes and regulation was among the factors in varied pricing. “Other factors can influence price ­differences including hospital costs, and even discrepancies between gap payments from specialists,” she said.

The average insurance bill for Queensland families is expected to rise $180 on April 1.

Meanwhile, Australian Medical Association president Dr Michael Gannon has urged against being wooed by the cheapest health insurance available, warning patients were often finding they were not covered for surgeries or private hospital admission.

He said there were 20,000 private health policy variations in a system that was “deliberately confusing”.

How the costs of hospital cover compare around Australia.

KNOW WHAT YOU CAN CLAIM

MASSAGE, lactation consultants, aromatherapy, naturopaths and weight-loss programs and school accidents are all among the often forgotten treatments you could be covered for under private health insurance.

Teachers Union Health chief executive Rob Seljak said while most people often claimed only for dental, optical and physiotherapy, there were many other claimable services such as dietary advice, exercise physiology and podiatry.

“Families can take advantage of speech therapy, anti and post-natal physiotherapy and even school accident cover,” he said.

Remedial massage therapist Gianni Pellegatti and a patient at Health Place, West End. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

A Medibank spokeswoman said one of its levels of cover aimed at growing families meant people could claim for lactation consultant services and Australian Breastfeeding Association membership.

Canstar spokesman Josh Callaghan said people needed to be aware of what their extras and hospital cover entitled them to.

“If you don’t intend to use them don’t pay for extras,” he said.

Health Place remedial massage therapist Gianni Pellegatti said about 70 per cent of clients used private health when paying for treatments.

“New clients are often surprised to know they can claim a rebate,” he said.