Young Australians prioritise health despite economic pressures
Young Australians prioritise health despite economic pressures | Insurance Business Australia
Life & Health
Young Australians prioritise health despite economic pressures
Dental, mental wellness top report
Life & Health
By
Roxanne Libatique
New findings from Bupa have provided insight into the health and wellness priorities of young Australians, emphasising the importance of dental care, treatments for musculoskeletal pain, and mental health services.
Bupa claims from April 2023 to April 2024
Over the past year, Bupa members aged 18 to 34 – encompassing both millennials and older Gen Z individuals – filed claims amounting to nearly $656 million in hospital and extras benefits.
Dental care was the most frequently claimed extra service, followed by physiotherapy, chiropractic, remedial massage, and optical services.
In one notable instance, a customer received a claim benefit of over $14,000 for ambulance cover.
Average claim benefits at Bupa from April 2023 to April 2024
Bupa’s data indicated that average claim benefits for back, neck, and spine procedures were close to $12,000. Joint reconstruction surgeries averaged nearly $5,000, while hernia and appendectomy operations typically resulted in claims exceeding $4,000 each.
Mental health support claims were also significant, ranking ninth among extras services used.
Young Australians take out health insurance despite cost-of-living challenges
Bupa health insurance managing director Chris Carroll remarked on the steady growth in health insurance adoption among young Australians despite economic pressures.
“We’re continuing to see young Australians taking charge of their individual health and wellbeing based on what good health means to them,” he said. “They are investing in preventative health such as dental hygiene, mental wellbeing, and muscular-skeletal as they realise it’s critical to their health and to stay well.”
He also highlighted substantial claims, including a knee replacement that amounted to over $30,000, and a claim for back, neck, and spine treatment nearly reaching $12,000. Ambulance cover proved beneficial for one young member, saving them from a bill exceeding $14,000.
Other prevalent hospital claims among this age group included dental surgery, rehabilitation, pregnancy and childbirth, and gastrointestinal endoscopies.
Common hospital claims for Australians aged 18 to 34
Top 10 extras claims for Australians aged 18 to 34
Dental
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic and osteopathy
Remedial massage
Optical
Pharmacy
Acupuncture
Podiatry
Mental health
Exercise physiology
Bupa recently launched a new marketing campaign to inspire healthier choices. The initiative, a major effort under the insurer’s “Healthcaring” platform, is based on the idea that healthy behaviours can spread within communities.
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