‘Up for thousands': Medical costs see ‘huge variability' around Australia
Private Healthcare Australia CEO Rachel David discusses the 'huge variability' in medical costs around Australia.
'There is a huge variability around the country, if you live in an area where household incomes are high and the number of doctors are constrained … you're much more likely to have a high out of pocket cost,' Ms David told Sky News Australia.
'In some specialties too … people were being charged upwards of $900 for an initial consultation and maybe half that for future consultations.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Daily Aussie habit that could add years to your lifespan
For many Aussies, drinking coffee is a quick way to get a sure-fire energy boost. But a new study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, suggests it might also support longer-term health, specifically, healthy ageing. While the study hasn't been peer-reviewed or published yet, it was thorough and tracked a large group of women over many decades. It adds to the growing body of research linking coffee to a longer life and various health benefits, including lower risks of certain chronic illnesses. Fang Fang Zhang, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at Tufts University who wasn't involved with the study, told The New York Times that the findings connecting coffee with healthier ageing weren't surprising. 'The data is quite consistent that coffee consumption is actually beneficial,' she said. The study methodology Researchers followed more than 47,000 female nurses over several decades, starting in the 1970s. The women answered questions about various lifestyle factors every few years, including how much coffee, tea, and cola (Coca-Cola or Pepsi) they drank. In 2016, the researchers looked at how many were still alive and met the criteria for 'healthy ageing'. Just over 3700 women met this definition: they were 70 or older, in good physical and mental health, with no cognitive impairment or memory loss, and free from 11 chronic diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. They found a correlation between the amount of caffeine consumed (mostly from coffee) between ages 45 and 60 and the likelihood of healthy ageing. After adjusting for other factors that could affect ageing, such as diet, exercise, and smoking, the women who consumed the most caffeine (nearly seven small cups a day) were 13 per cent more likely to age healthily than those who had the least (less than one cup a day). Drinking tea or decaf coffee wasn't linked to healthy ageing, possibly because the overall consumption of tea and decaf was lower among the study participants, making it harder to see benefits. What other research says The study lead warned that just because drinking seven cups of coffee daily was associated with healthier ageing doesn't mean everyone should do so, nor is it necessarily healthy. However, many other studies have found similar links between regular coffee consumption and health benefits. A team from Queen Mary University, London, recently revealed that caffeine can help you live longer by influencing how cells grow, repair, and respond to stress. The British researchers believe this could significantly boost longevity and even help ward off dementia, diabetes, and heart failure. Another study from May this year, involving over 46,000 adults, found that those who drank one to three cups of coffee daily were 15 per cent less likely to die within the next nine to 11 years compared to those who didn't drink caffeinated coffee. The takeaways While these studies can't prove cause and effect, the consistent benefits observed suggest they are unlikely to be due to other factors, experts say. Interestingly, drinking coffee is often linked with habits like smoking and less exercise. However, the fact that benefits are still seen after accounting for these factors hints that coffee might really have a positive effect. Experts also warn that adding too much cream or sugar can negate some of the health benefits of coffee, so keep that in mind next time you order your cup of Joe.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Rod Butterss, daughter Ash open up on alcoholism battles
Former AFL club boss Rod Butterss and his daughter Ash both picked up a drink before they were teenagers, later facing devastating battles with alcoholism. But today, they share a different bond – beating addiction with each other's support. The ex-St Kilda Football Club president and his daughter, a holistic transformation coach, want to help others overcome barriers to tough conversations. The Melbourne duo have opened up about their roads to recovery for News Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign mental health awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank. Ash, 37, is now five years sober and hosts a podcast to reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse. 'There are hard days but I have different tools now, and I know that a drink would never be a good option,' she said. She stays 'content and at peace' by practising and teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork. But she wonders if her journey would've been different had she been able to confide in her parents as a teenager. While she and her dad have spoken candidly on her podcast, Behind the Smile, it was a different story growing up. 'I felt isolated and disconnected, and I really struggled … at 13 I was cutting myself,' she said. 'I had an eating disorder, I was drinking and taking drugs as a way to self-medicate. 'I tried to talk to my parents at the time – and this wasn't their fault – but I think that they parented from a place of fear. 'If they had the tools to have conversations and not shy away from the difficulties … things could've turned out differently.' Ash, whose first marriage fell apart, is now planning her second wedding. But she fears her future children could inherit her demons. 'It's incredible that my dad and I have broken the chain … but it's even made me wonder whether or not I want to have children,' she said. 'This disease runs in my family and the likelihood of my child suffering with mental health and potentially addiction is very high.' Addiction has cost Rod, 66, businesses, marriages, relationships, and the top job at St Kilda Football Club. But after a headline-grabbing battle with booze, cocaine and gambling, the entrepreneur became sober in 2010, with one relapse in 2020. 'We've gotta talk about these things because too many families suffer in silence,' he said. He admits he was largely absent when she was young, but watching Ash's recovery had been 'pure joy'. 'Alcoholism makes you very selfish, and there were occasions where we could have some very deep and meaningful conversations but most of the time I was self-absorbed and busy,' he said. 'As a young father I would just reel off things like 'toughen up son' … so for me it's been about learning to have intimate conversations in a non-judgmental manner, where your job as a parent is to make the other person feel safe.' In fact, Ash said if he had tried to force her to seek help before she was ready, it would have backfired. 'He's been amazing,' she said. 'Dad never pushed me, he's just always been there to champion me in a very hands-off way.' Today, Rod immerses himself in writing poetry, reading, mediation, beach walks and journaling, and is surrounded by a strong recovery community. 'I thought to myself the other day: 'You going okay Rod? You know, you're happy. Life's pretty good',' he said. Psychiatrist and former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry said research had found some people were genetically predisposed to alcohol dependence, but it was not a foregone conclusion. 'There's a lot of research showing a very strong genetic component for alcoholism and probably other forms of addiction as well,' he said. 'The actual mechanism underpinning that vulnerability is not well understood. If we knew that it would be easier to treat.' He said he would like to see the community view addiction in the same way as other mental health issues. 'With substance abuse, there's a tremendously judgmental attitude, and people say things like 'They made poor choices', or blame others for having an addiction,' he said. 'But addiction is just one type of mental health problem actually.'
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
Sting in the tail for some workers in super boost
Workers are being urged to check with their pay packets to ensure an increase to the super guarantee doesn't result in their pay being docked. As the final increase to Australia's super guarantee comes into effect, employers will be required to devote a record 12 per cent of workers' salaries into their super for the first time. For most workers on an award agreement, it's happy days, with employers forced to tip in extra super without any reduction in their take-home pay. But there's a sting in the tail for a minority of workers who are on a total remuneration package including super, because it could mean less take-home pay. In fact, for up to 40 per cent of Australians who have an individual pay arrangement with their employer that pays superannuation as part of their salary package, the 0.5 per cent could result in a reduction in take-home pay. CPA Australia's Superannuation Lead, Richard Webb said while the super guarantee was positive for a majority of workers, some would cop a pay cut from July 1. 'If your employment contract includes a total remuneration package including super, this could mean less take-home pay at the end of the month,' he said. 'However, for those on award or enterprise agreements, your pay agreement is more likely to be a salary, which means the change will not affect your take-home pay. 'It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you. Otherwise, you might get a shock if your take-home pay is a little less than expected.' Nearly 30 years after the Hawke-Keating Government introduced superannuation starting at just 1 per cent, around 14 million workers are set to secure the new boost. New Treasury analysis shows that millions of Australians will be better off at retirement as a direct result as the super guarantee lifts from 11.5 to 12 per cent. 'These reforms will make a meaningful difference for millions of Australians who work hard on low and award wages, and Australians working towards a well-deserved, dignified retirement,'' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. 'Under Labor, inflation is down substantially, real wages are up, unemployment is low, our economy is growing, debt is down and interest rates are falling, but we know people are still under pressure. 'All the progress we have made together means we are well placed and well prepared at a time of global economic uncertainty and volatility. 'Since we've come to government, we've increased the superannuation guarantee four times, and this means an extra $98,000 at retirement for a 30 year old earning the average full-time income.' For example, a worker at age 30 earning the average full-time income (around $103,000) will have an extra $21,000 at retirement as a result of this 0.5 percentage point increase alone. However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said taking into account all of the Albanese Government's increases to the Superannuation guarantee (from 10 per cent to 12 per cent), this worker will have an extra $98,000 at retirement.
