Support our campaign
National Seniors Australia's research report highlights growing unrest about the unaffordability of private health care.
This must be addressed to preserve private health as an option for older people. That's why NSA is calling for an independent inquiry into the private health system.
You can read our report and join our Health Costs campaign to support cheaper health care here .
It's estimated that two million Australians delay or skip specialist healthcare, and escalating out of pocket costs for specialist treatment is a major reason.
Bulkbilling rates are far lower than for GPs: only a third of specialist appointments are free, compared to 78% of GP appointments.
According to the Grattan Institute, the average out-of-pocket costs amounted to $300 in 2023.
The Grattan Institute's health program director, Peter Breadon, said specialist fees were a problem that was only getting worse.
The report found out-of-pocket costs had soared by almost 75% in real terms since 2010.
"It's no surprise that some people report taking on debt or skimping on other essentials to pay for seeing a specialist," the report suggests.
One in 10 people who paid to see a psychiatrist in 2023 paid $400 out of pocket for their initial consultation alone.
The other option is to visit a public specialist clinic, but wait times can extend months, or even years.
The report says governments should take charge. It calls for "comprehensive reform to tackle training bottlenecks, failures in planning and investment, inconsistent public services, and outrageous private fees".
Easing the rising cost of health services, especially out of pocket costs, and addressing the failures of the private health insurance sector are the key focus of ongoing advocacy by National Seniors Australia (NSA) to government to bring down health costs.
Reducing the cost of medical care will ensure older Australians do not miss out on receiving the treatment they need.
This can be achieved through our priorities, which include:
Enlisting the Productivity Commission to conduct a full review the private health system to identify improvements and reduce costs
Increasing the Private Health Insurance Rebate for people on low incomes, including older people, to retain those most likely to leave private insurance and boost membership among those most likely to take it up
Establishing a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme providing $500 per year towards interventions to improve oral health
