Private Health Industry Contibution to the Public Health Sector

25 July 2011

How the Private Health Industry supports and contributes to the public health sector:

• There were 573 private hospitals operating in Australia in 2009–10
  (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011. Australian Hospital Statistics 2009-10.)
• Private hospitals treat 4 out of every 10 admitted hospital patients in Australia, representing 31% of all days of hospitalisation.
  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011. Australian Hospital Statistics 2009-10.
• Private hospitals perform the majority of surgery in Australia – 59%.
  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011. Australian Hospital Statistics 2009-10.
• Private hospitals perform 81% of all Mental Health treatments, sameday; 60% of all Cancer Therapy (Chemotherapy) in Australia.
  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2010. Australian Hospital Statistics 2008-09.

Over 11.7 million Australians are covered by private health insurance (Hospital and/or General Treatment Cover).

Of the 10 million Australians with Hospital Cover:

• 5.6 million people with private hospital cover live in households with a total annual income of $50,000 or less
• 3.4 million people with private hospital cover live in households with a total annual income of $35,000 or less

(Source Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Taxation Office)

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Tags: Benefits, Costs, General treament cover, Health cover, Healthcare System, private health insurance, private hospital cover,

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