Christmas has come a week early for Australians with private health insurance, with the Federal Government announcing a premium increase of 3.25 percent for 2019.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the increase ahead of schedule, the smallest change since 2001 which will take effect from Monday 1 April 2019.
Mr Hunt said the premium increase would be one of a number of changes introduced in 2019, including changes in private health insurance categories.
“Every dollar matters for families and we will continue to improve the affordability and transparency of private health insurance.
“New Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic product tiers will be introduced for hospital insurance products from early 2019.
“These reforms will make private health insurance simpler and more affordable and make it clearer on what is and isn’t covered in their...