Legislation introduced to improve private health choice and transparency

The Australian Government has introduced legislation intended to help Australians find the best value when they need specialist medical advice and treatment. The Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026 will allow the government to publish details about what individual specialists charge for particular medical services.

Aiming to improve transparency and take the guesswork out of health care, the Bill will now allow for Medicare, hospital and insurer billing data already collected by the government, to be published on the Medical Costs Finder; helping patients make informed decisions about their health care by allowing them to compare those costs against the fees charged by other medical practitioners.

The practice known as ‘product phoenixing’ — where private health insurers close a product and re-open an identical one at a higher price, or reduce the value of a product — will also be outlawed by this legislation. Insurers are required by the Bill to seek ministerial approval for premiums for new products and if making certain changes that reduce the cover or value of existing products.

“Specialists and private health funds have been given the opportunity to be upfront about patient costs and out-of-pocket expenses but frankly, have failed to do so,” said Mark Butler, Australia’s Minister for Health and Ageing. “We know an increasing number of Australians are not taking up referrals from their GP to see a specialist due to concern about cost, but this legislation will give hardworking Australians the clarity they deserve about costs and more choice in their health care.

“I also warned insurers that product phoenixing had to stop and yet insurers continued to do so,” Butler added. “This Bill legislates wider scrutiny of premiums so consumers can be more confident in the value of private health insurance.”

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