Private Health Rebates

Question

1. How many Tasmanians aged 65 and over will be affected by the proposed changes to the private health insurance rebate? Please also include the following information: a) How many are aged pensioners; and b) How many are full-rate pensions? 2. What modelling has been done on the likely effect on Tasmanian elective surgery waiting times? 3. What assessment has the Department made of the effect of these changes on older Australians on fixed incomes, including pensioners and self-funded retirees with modest incomes? 4. Can the Department release the assumptions and state-by-state modelling behind the proposal, including any modelling on pensioners, drop-outs, downgrades, public hospital demand and regional impacts? 5. Has the modelling specifically assessed the impact on public hospital demand and waiting times if participation among older Australians declines? 6. What assumptions have been made about the impact on smaller and ageing jurisdictions such as Tasmania, where public hospital capacity is more constrained? 7. Which private health insurers, consumer groups and state and territory governments were consulted prior to the decision, and what concerns were raised? 8. Were regional and ageing jurisdictions such as Tasmania consulted separately? 9. What transitional arrangements or safeguards are in place for retirees on fixed incomes who may experience affordability pressures as a result of these changes 10. Has any additional Commonwealth funding been allocated to states and territories to manage potential increases in demand arising from this change?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DHDA SQ26-002811.pdf (opens in a new tab)