Bupa – Top 10 most common private health insurance claims in Australia for 2022

Hospital claims

Gastrointestinal endoscopy topped this year’s list of most common hospital claims, with $823 average paid benefits and 123,580 hospital stays.

The claims data also included more than 85,000 cancer treatments – including chemotherapy and radiotherapy – while nearly 80,000 claims were made for dialysis for kidney failure. Additionally, more than 13,000 members underwent hip and knee replacements, with the average benefit paid totalling over $14,000.

Those who went to the hospital for heart-related procedures, such as valve replacements and coronary bypasses, had an average benefit of nearly $9,000.

Extras claims

Dental was the most common extras service this year, with one benefit reaching $3,800. Meanwhile, a member with ambulance cover in their extras received a benefit of over $20,000 after requiring the flying doctor service in an emergency.

Commenting on the latest data, Bupa managing director Chris Carroll said the insurer paid around $3.9 billion in hospital cover and extras for its domestic customers between January and September 2022.

“Our members have seen first-hand how important it is to have health insurance, with some members receiving paid benefits of more than $700,000,” Carroll said. “This year, we’ve again seen how having health insurance offers peace of mind for those unexpected life moments and supports better preventative health and wellbeing, especially at a time when the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures are impacting household budgets.

“The strong uptake in private health insurance supports our world-leading mixed health system, including taking pressure off our long public hospital waiting lists while giving Australians choice in their healthcare.”