{
  "id": 192835,
  "title": "Health insurance rebates may change for the over-65s. Our new study shows what to expect",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/health-insurance-rebates-may-change-for-the-over-65s-our-new-study",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T20:10:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/health-insurance-rebates-may-change-for-the-over-65s-our-new-study-shows-what-to-expect-289146"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent study reveals that scrapping higher private health insurance rebates for individuals aged 65 and over may not result in a mass exodus from coverage or strain on public hospitals. The research, conducted by multiple experts, found that about 14,821–42,498 older Australians would likely drop their cover, accounting for uncertainty in modelling. This estimate aligns closely with the government's own prediction of around 44,000 people dropping their insurance. The government claims that removing the age-based rebate bonus will fix an inequitable subsidy, but the study suggests that most people over 65 would maintain their coverage regardless of the rebate. The majority of affected policyholders, around 99%, are expected to keep their insurance. Despite the modest decline in coverage, the government predicts significant fiscal savings of approximately A$730–940 million per year by 2028–29. The research also indicates that lower-income households are most likely to drop their cover, suggesting a need for targeted support to maintain coverage for these individuals. While some states have raised concerns about the impact on public hospitals, the study finds that the change would have a minimal effect on overall hospital wait times, accounting for only a small fraction of the 7.7 million hospitalisations in Australia in 2024–25.",
  "summary": "New research shows what happens if the extra health insurance rebate for over-65s is scrapped, as planned. Here’s why the sky won’t fall in.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}