Cost-of-living crisis drives Aussies to delay surgery, but one health fund has removed a financial barrier.

GMHBA

New research reveals privately insured Australians are putting off hospital care due to upfront excess costs. 

A new national survey* reveals that cost-of-living pressures are impacting Australians' ability to access timely hospital care, with 1 in 2 respondents with hospital cover delaying or avoiding surgery due to the upfront excess charged by their health fund. 

The research also revealed that:

• 81% would need to rely on credit cards or savings for a same-day procedure.
• 10% say they would delay surgery if they had to pay their excess tomorrow.
• 6% would have to borrow from family to cover the cost of the excess.
• 84% said a no-excess same-day hospital admission option would make them more likely to proceed with care.

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GMHBA Head of Corporate Communications Meg Rayner

0458 418 823 or [email protected]

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