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Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) is calling for the immediate recall and suspension of spinal cord stimulators to protect public safety, pending an investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

An investigation by ABC Four Corners into spinal surgery has exposed serious risks to patients and the shocking extent of fraud, waste and abuse in Australia’s ‘back pain industry’.

Health fund premiums will rise by an average 3.03% this year, much lower than inflation. Premium increases for other insurance types have surged by up to 16%.

Australian health funds paid a record $23.6 billion for healthcare in 2023 as claims by health funds members hit a new high, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

A report on the front page of ‘The Australian’ newspaper suggesting the health insurance industry is in a ‘war of words with Mark Butler’ and in ‘fear’ about the timing of the premium announcement is false.

All specialist doctors’ fees should be published on the Government’s Medical Cost Finder website so consumers know who is charging egregiously, the peak body for health funds says.