-
The population figures used to calculate coverage are derived from
the Australian Bureau of Statistics publication, "Australian
Demographic Statistics" Catalogue number 3101.0. ACT population
is included in NSW. Until 31 March 2007 NT policies and coverage were
understated as some funds reported NT in other States. From 1 April
2007 the numbers reported in each state reflect the actual policies
and insured persons in those states (see note (g)).
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The figures on Gold Card Holders, used to adjust the population base
by excluding Gold Card Holders, are obtained from the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
-
Minor discrepancies between sums of components and totals are due
to rounding.
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P = Preliminary.
-
R = Revised. Revisions in the percent of the population covered
occur when the Australian Bureau of Statistics revise the estimated
resident population.
-
Statistics are sourced from data collected from Private Health Insurers
that are or were registered under the Private Health Insurance Act
2007 or the National Health Act 1953.
-
Until the December quarter 1995 "State" meant State of
registration of the fund, not necessarily the State of residence of
the policy holder. Restricted membership organisations reported for
States in which 5% or more of their policies resided. From the December
quarter 1995 funds were required to submit membership data for reinsurance
purposes where 500 or more single equivalent units reside in a State.
From 1 April 2007 insurers were required to report in every state
for risk equalisation purposes.
-
Care should be exercised when analysing trends because of the effects
of changes eg. introduction of separate policy and coverage reporting
for the Northern Territory (see (a) above).
-
Persons with hospital cover by age group has only been collected
since September 1997.
-
Persons with general treatment cover (see note (n)) by age group
has only been collected since September 2002.
-
Ambulance Only General Treatment policies and insured persons was
first collected in the September quarter 1999 under the category of
ancillary.
-
Lifetime Health Cover, from 1 July 2000, imposes a penalty on policy
holders joining a health benefits organisation for hospital cover
after reaching the age of 30. The penalty is 2% above the base rate
for each year over the age of 30 in which the policy holder was not
a member of a health benefits fund.
-
Starting from 1 April 2007, the family policies include two more
categories: 2+ persons, no adults – a policy where two or more
persons are insured none of whom is an adult and 3+ adults –
a policy that covers at least three adults.
- Starting from 1 April 2007 general treatment policies replaced ancillary
policies. General treatment policies cover treatment similar to that
previously known as ancillary (eg. dental) but can also cover hospital-substitute
treatment and Chronic Disease Management Programs. Many hospital treatment
only policies were reclassified as hospital and general treatment combined
policies, causing an artificial increase in the series.
