Health care costs are a big problem for many people today. A new study shows that unexpected medical bills worry lots of Americans. Many people also stress about paying for dental work and doctor visits.
The high costs make sense when you look at the numbers. A metal crown for your teeth can cost more than $1600.
Getting a colonoscopy might cost $200 even with private insurance. Even basic things like seeing a physical therapist can cost over $110 in some areas.
These prices make it hard for people to get the care they need. Money should not stop anyone from staying healthy but the reality is that medical costs are a real burden for many families.
Health Insurance Spike Sparks
Yet, while some of these concerns could be fully or partially covered by an appropriate private health insurance policy, almost one-in-three Australians said they don’t think it is worth having.
| Health Pet Peeve | Proportion of Responses (%) |
|---|---|
| Unexpected or unplanned expenses (such as a toothache, injury, sudden illness, etc.) | 16.4% |
| Paying for the dentist | 11.9% |
| Paying a lot of money for a specialist, only to see them for a quick period | 10.0% |
| Paying to go to a doctor for a recurring script or medical certificate | 9.5% |
| GPs always running behind | 8.9% |
Getting sick is tough when you already have lots of bills to pay. Many doctors charge a lot of money for their services and this makes it hard for people to get the care they need.
Money is tight for most people these days. I talked to Dr Rachel David who runs Private Healthcare Australia. She told me it’s okay to ask doctors & dentists about their fees before getting treatment. Now I always check how much I’ll need to pay before seeing a medical specialist.
We should always ask doctors about their prices just like we do with other services. Many doctors and dentists will give you a discount if you simply ask them about it.
I used to feel nervous about asking medical professionals for better prices but it’s good to try. Getting health insurance can help with the costs & sometimes covers all your medical expenses.
Health Insurance Spike Sparks Urgent Warning for Australian Households
Many people have health insurance but they don’t always get the best deals for their money. It’s smart to look around and compare different options.
A recent survey shows that many Australians think health insurance is worth having even though it costs more now. About 41% of people still value their coverage.
The study also found that 45% of Australians have kept the same health insurance for three years or longer.
This means they might be spending too much money on their insurance. They could be paying for services they don’t even use anymore. It’s smart to look at different health insurance options once a year.
This helps people find better deals and save money. The research was done by PureProfile for Compare the Market. They asked 1013 people across Australia about their insurance in June 2025. This gives us a good picture of what Australians think about health insurance.
