Health fund rises queried by Minister
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has written to a number of private health insurance funds, querying their proposed premium increases and asking them to review their applications for rises.
She said she had already approved a number of increases, but she was concerned that some applications appeared ‘larger than necessary.’
“I have taken this unusual step because of the importance the Government places on finding a sustainable way to reduce growing pressures on family budgets,” she said.
She nominated the health inflation rate of 4.8% as a benchmark for assessing premium rises.
“While all applications will be considered on their merits, I am determined that premium increases should be the minimum necessary to maintain capital adequacy and solvency requirements,” she said.
