The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has joined forces with National Seniors Australia (NSA) to draw attention to the Labor Government’s proposed change to cut private health insurance rebates for over 65s.
Under the proposal, which is currently in front of the Senate, the higher private health insurance rebate currently available to Australians aged 65 and over would be reduced so that the rebate is the same regardless of age, from 1 April 2027 if legislated, with the savings directed to aged care.
The higher rebate was originally introduced to encourage older Australians into private health and ease pressure on the public system.
National Seniors Australia estimates the change could add more than AU$1,000 a year to premiums for a couple on Gold cover, and push tens of thousands of seniors to drop or downgrade their insurance.
We encourage older Australians to support our Health Costs campaign and to he p NSA increase our weight and impact. The bigger our numbers, the louder our voice l!
Gold-tier cover funds many sight-saving procedures, including cataract surgery, that older Australians rely on.
If seniors are priced out of private cover, the ASO warns, they face either higher out-of-pocket costs or long waits for treatment in an already-stretched public system, with their vision hanging in the balance.
“For an older Australian waiting on cataract surgery, private cover can be the difference between having the procedure now and losing months of clear sight in a public queue,” said ASO Chief Executive Officer Katrina Ronne.
“Making that cover more expensive for over-65s puts vision and the independence that comes with it directly at risk. We’re standing with National Seniors to say don’t lose sight of our seniors.”
At Risk of Avoiding Care
The main worry for ophthalmologists is patients avoiding care in fear of the costs associated with rising private health insurance premiums.
“Ophthalmologists see every day what happens when eye care is delayed,” Ms Ronne said.
“We’d urge every older Australian to check how this change could affect them, and to add their voice to the campaign before any decision is locked in.”
NSA CEO Mr Chris Grice said his organisation has heard from many older people, including pensioners and low-income self-funded retirees, who are in angst about how they’ll manage increased out-of-pocket expenses on top of increased living costs that continue to squeeze their limited budgets.
“Older Australians have paid premiums for decades, in some cases their whole working lives. Now, when they really need that insurance – when affordability is paramount – it has been swept from under their feet,” Mr Grice said.
“NSA believes a more balanced approach is needed. One that protects older Australians, maintains access to timely care, and avoids unintended costs elsewhere in the system.
“We encourage older Australians to support our Health Costs campaign and to help NSA increase our weight and impact. The bigger our numbers, the louder our voice!”
NSA has published a Private Health Insurance rebate cut estimator so seniors can see how the proposed change could affect their own premiums and is calling for an independent inquiry into the private health system.
To support the NSA’s campaign, download, print and display the ASO’s poster campaign that shares important information on the changes.
