Private eyes…, hips, etc: Health insurance benefits during the Covid crisis

Commonwealth and State use of private hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, combined with social distancing measures, could cut benefit payments to people insured by Australia’s private health insurers by 30% to 50%, or $3.5 billion to $5.5 billion. Regulators should enforce a similar reduction in premium payments. Reductions in premiums to consumers could save the Commonwealth in excess of $1 billion by reducing its Public Health Insurance Rebate Subsidy.