Ending private health rebate for Australians 65 and over is ‘good policy change’, report co-author finds

Research finds just 0.1-0.4% of the total insured population will ditch insurance, while the government will save as much as $940m a year

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Removing the higher private health insurance rebate for people aged 65 and over is good policy that is unlikely to place additional pressure on public hospitals, according to health economists.

The proposed changes, set to take effect in April 2027, will mean the private health insurance rebate will depend only on how much money a person earns – matching the rules for people aged under 65.