Premium Review FAQ’s

Why is CBHS increasing its premiums?

Like all health funds, CBHS is required to review premiums each year to ensure we continue to reflect the cost of providing quality cover. Following our most recent review, there may be an increase in premium on your health cover. This increase has been approved by the Australian Government as being appropriate, considering many factors including rising health costs.

CBHS seeks to limit the impact of these cost pressures by continually looking for ways to operate efficiently so that we can return higher levels of benefits to our members.

The Government’s Private Health Insurance reforms package is supposed to help affordability, why are my premiums still increasing?

The Government’s Reform package has addressed affordability in several ways, some of which may take time to filter through to the end consumer, for example lowering the cost of protheses and removing benefits for some natural therapies from Extras cover.  Other ways which members can make their premiums more affordable commencing from 1 April 2019 are by increasing their maximum excess ($750 for singles and $1,500 for couples or families) payable on some Hospital covers or by applying a discount of up to 10% on Hospital cover for 18 – 29 year olds.

If you would like to discuss your options, please contact Member Care on 1300 654 123.

How are premiums increases calculated?

Premium increases are calculated by analysing claims and service cost data from previous years.  From this analysis we then can estimate the amount required to cover these costs in the coming year.  Premiums are then adjusted on a product by product basis.

Your final premium will be calculated using a combination of the product’s increase, any discounts, your Lifetime Health Cover loading and your Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance.

Each year CBHS submits proposed premium increases to the Minister of Health’s office and the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA). Both the Minister and APRA are required to sign off on all premium increases.

Why are premium % increases going up slightly more than the industry average?

CBHS has delivered consistently low premium increases for the past three years in a row whereas some health funds have delivered two years of high premium increases prior to this year.

Why has my premium gone up more than you announced?

CBHS average increase is 3.91%. Your premium increase may be higher or lower than this average.

When will I be notified of my new premium?

We will notify you of your new premium by letter or email in early March.
 

Why has my premium gone up even though I haven’t claimed?

Your premiums increase even when you don’t claim because they aren’t based on your personal claiming behaviour.  Private Health Insurance in Australia is community rated, which means premiums aren’t determined based on your gender, lifestyle or pre-existing conditions.

Why have my premiums increased more than inflation?

Australia’s health industry is experiencing growth in claims costs and CBHS is no exception; particularly in relation to hospital and medical services.

Some factors leading to this rate increase include:

• Increased medical practitioner rates.
• The cost of new medical equipment and technology (including the increasing number of new and effective but expensive procedures and medical appliances) available through private hospitals.
• The increased cost for orthopaedic, cardiac, respiratory and obesity related services.
• As we live longer and more procedures become progressively available, trends like this are usually expected.

Why are my premiums increasing but my benefits aren’t?

At CBHS we pride ourselves on actively listening to our members and this feedback has increasingly focused on the affordability of private health insurance, with members seeking a better balance between benefits provided and the cost of their insurance. The decision to maintain benefits on most CBHS policies reflects this feedback and will assist to keep the 2020 increase in premiums as low as possible for all members.

Some members may have received changes to their benefits this year and we continually strive to ensure that we give back to our Members at every possible opportunity. The benefit review process is focused on ensuring that our benefits and products remain sustainable and competitive in the interest of our members.

Why should I continue with CBHS?

CBHS’ premiums are generally already below those of our major competitors, yet we provide outstanding returns and higher per service benefits. CBHS is also committed to continuing to provide our members with great customer service.

As a not-for-profit fund, we work for our members, not shareholders, which means we can focus on giving more back to you.

When will my change in premium come into effect?

Your premium increase will come into effect on 1 April 2020.

Why is health insurance important?

We strongly believe that the health of every Australian should be a priority no matter how old you are or what your current life stage is, whether it be single, married, starting a family or retired. You never know when you or a loved one may need health related services, CBHS is here to assist you as much as possible.

As a member of CBHS, you belong to an exclusive health fund that is run solely for the benefit of its members.

I pay annually; will I be affected by the premium increase?

Yes, when your paid-to date expires, the new rates will apply.

I pay in advance, what happens to my membership?

For all members who have paid in advance before 1 April 2020, your current paid-to-date will remain unchanged. Your rate is protected for the period that your membership is currently paid to.

I can’t afford this contribution, what can I do?

There are several options you can consider:

Claim the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance: If you are not claiming it already and are entitled to it, you can reduce your regular contribution by claiming the Rebate as a reduced premium. To find out the level of rebate you may be entitled to visit privatehealth.gov.au

Select a Hospital product with a Co-payment: You can consider taking on a co-payment if you don’t have one. If you need to go to Hospital, you’ll pay a daily cost up to a maximum of 6 days per adult on the membership, with a cap of 12 days per year per family depending on your cover.

Change your level of cover: You can consider decreasing your level of cover with CBHS. Contact our friendly team on 1300 654 123 (Monday to Friday 7am – 7pm AEDT) to discuss your options.

Members aged 18 – 29: From 1 April 2019, the Government will allow insurers to offer discounts to young Australians of up to 10 per cent.  These discounts will be applied to all eligible members accounts from 1 April 2019. 

Why is my premium less / more than other States / Territories?

Hospital cover: Hospital systems are regulated differently in each State and have different costs. The premium you pay reflects these differences.

Extras cover: Charging and claiming patterns differ between States. In NSW, the higher premium reflects these differences.

Can you tell me more about the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance?

Most Australians with private health insurance currently receive a rebate from the Australian Government to help cover the cost of their premiums. The Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance is income tested which simply means that a person’s eligibility for this rebate is determined by their level of assessable income for Medicare Levy Surcharge tax purposes.  If your adjusted taxable income is over the defined tiers then the amount of rebate you receive may be reduced (or removed completely). If you haven’t nominated your tier, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. You can nominate a rebate tier by logging in to the CBHS Member Centre and selecting Manage My Rebate under the My Account menu.