State probe could cause hike in health premiums

PRIVATE health insurance premiums are set to rise if a state investigation into hospital charges finds health insurers are not paying enough towards the cost of treating private patients in public hospitals.

The investigation, commissioned by the Department of Health, is also examining how it can force insurers to pay the State more quickly, citing delays between the discharge of private patients and the recoupment of fees as a “significant problem”.

The “in-depth analysis” is being conducted as part of the State’s long-standing policy to move towards charging private patients in public hospitals the full economic cost of their care.