Bupa has revealed the most common private health insurance (PHI) claims of the year, covering January to October 2022.
The report provides insight into the health and wellbeing needs of millions of Australians who made claims using their PHI for hospital stays and extras services.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy topped this year’s list of most common hospital claims, with $823 average paid benefits and 123,580 hospital stays.
The claims data also included more than 85,000 cancer treatments – including chemotherapy and radiotherapy – while nearly 80,000 claims were made for dialysis for kidney failure. Additionally, more than 13,000 members underwent hip and knee replacements, with the average benefit paid totalling over $14,000.
Those who went to the hospital for heart-related procedures, such as valve replacements and coronary bypasses, had an average benefit of nearly $9,000.
Dental was the most common extras service this year, with one benefit reaching $3,800. Meanwhile, a member with ambulance cover in their extras received a benefit of over $20,000 after requiring the flying doctor service in an emergency.
Commenting on the latest data, Bupa managing director Chris Carroll said the insurer paid around $3.9 billion in hospital cover and extras for its domestic customers between January and September 2022.
“Our members have seen first-hand how important it is to have health insurance, with some members receiving paid benefits of more than $700,000,” Carroll said. “This year, we’ve again seen how having health insurance offers peace of mind for those unexpected life moments and supports better preventative health and wellbeing, especially at a time when the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures are impacting household budgets.
“The strong uptake in private health insurance supports our world-leading mixed health system, including taking pressure off our long public hospital waiting lists while giving Australians choice in their healthcare.”
