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In Australia, 15% of all expenditure on health care comes directly from individuals in the form of out‐of‐pocket fees — this is almost double the amount contributed by private health insurers. There is concern that vulnerable groups — socio‐economically disadvantaged people and older Australians in particular, who also have higher health care needs — are spending larger proportions of their incomes on out‐of‐pocket fees for health care.

A 2019 study identified that one in three low income households are spending more than 10% of their income on health care. This might create economic hardship, and individuals do forgo care, with one in four Australians without a health care condition and up to one in two with certain health conditions avoiding care because of the cost.

This MJA perspective shares more.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the perspective
2. List main findings
3. Recognise the numerous options for reducing out‐of‐pocket fees and promoting affordability.

Details

Author: Emily J Callander

Article Type: Perspective