Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Private health insurance premiums have been rising mainly because of current and forecast increases in benefit outlays. This includes the increasing costs of treatments and services and higher utilisation of treatments and services.

Medibank Private premiums have risen by 26.41% over the last 5 years, compared to the weighted industry average of 26.82%, and the Health Services Index average of 28.2%.

(2) No. Different policies offered by the same insurer will have different premiums and different premium increases. Premium increases vary between policies for a range of reasons.

(3) The Minister for Finance and Deregulation is the Government's sole shareholder in Medibank Private. Therefore, all questions regarding Medibank Private's performance, returns and ownership should be addressed to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

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