The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) notes the Federal Government’s approval of a 4.41 per cent average increase in private health insurance premiums from April, the steepest rise in almost a decade. This increase comes at a time when specialist medical fees, including those of anaesthetists, have remained largely flat and have failed to keep pace with inflation and rising practice costs. Australians are being asked to pay more for their private cover, yet there is little evidence that frontline medical specialists who provide essential critical care services will see any corresponding improvement in remuneration or support.
Anaesthetists play a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety before, during and after surgery, delivering highly skilled critical care at the moments that matter most. The ASA believes that if private health insurance premiums are to rise, there must be greater transparency about where these additional funds are directed and a stronger commitment to appropriately valuing the medical professionals who underpin the viability of the private health system. Proper recognition and fair compensation for specialist services are essential to maintaining patient access, sustaining high standards of care, and ensuring the long-term stability of Australia’s private healthcare sector.