15/09/2025
HCi members can CHOOSE to be a public or private patient in a public hospital, anywhere in Australia.
ACT residents with health insurance are being charged excessive out-of-pocket costs for using their insurance in a public hospital. Our analysis reveals at least 30% of ‘private patients’ treated in ACT public hospitals in 2022-23 received bills ranging from $50 to over $9000.
When someone opts to use their health insurance in a public hospital, doctors can legally charge as a private specialist. Patients can also be charged for diagnostic services by doctors they have never seen, never met and did not choose.
Patients often receive the same services they would as a public patient without health insurance but find themselves hundreds or thousands of dollars out-of-pocket because they ticked a box to use their health insurance. Patients are often signing these documents when they’re very ill, raising ethical concerns about their ability to consent.
Read our release here: https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/people-with-health-insurance-are-receiving-shock-bills-from-act-public-hospitals/
