Not-for-profit health funds growing, agency claims

Australian consumers are turning to the not-for-profit and member-owned health insurers, according to health insurance body The Health Insurance Restricted and Regional Association of Australia (hirmaa).

The agency claims that Commonwealth Ombudsman data for 2010/11-2014/15 shows that complaints against the country’s largest for-profit insurers increased by more than 90%. Complaints against hirmaa member-funds during the same period fell by 8%.

Agency CEO Matthew Koce says that the Ombudsman’s State of the Health Funds Report shows that hirmaa’s member funds are growing at twice the pace of the bigger for-profit insurers and retaining far more policy holders.


N.B. The ADAVB does not endorse or recommend any individual health fund, and notes advice from Choice that "Unless you're confident of receiving more in benefits than you're paying in premiums, you should consider dropping your extras insurance. Our analysis of extras cover shows low average payout rates and savings of up to 45% available to consumers who drop it."
Choice, 2 March 2016

"Unless you're confident of receiving more in benefits than you're paying in premiums, you should consider dropping your extras insurance. Our analysis of extras cover shows low average payout rates and savings of up to 45% available to consumers who drop it."

Choice, 2 March 2016

"Unless you're confident of receiving more in benefits than you're paying in premiums, you should consider dropping your extras insurance. Our analysis of extras cover shows low average payout rates and savings of up to 45% available to consumers who drop it."

Choice, 2 March 2016