Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is telling families in his electorate that the reforms will make policies “better value” and  “easier to understand”.

He has outlined reforms that support young people, residents of regional and rural areas, and members who want “ a higher excess in exchange for lower premiums”.

“We are encouraging younger Australians to take up private health insurance by allowing insurers to discount hospital insurance premiums for 18 to 29 year olds by up to 10 per cent,” he said. “The discount will phase out after people turn 40.”

“People with hospital insurance that does not offer full cover for mental health treatment will be able to upgrade their cover and access mental health services without a waiting period on a once-off basis.

“To support Australians in regional and rural areas, insurers will be able to offer travel and accommodation benefits for people who need to travel for treatment.”

Mr Coulton said the government was aware that “many people would like to be able to select a higher excess in exchange for lower premiums”.

“That is why we will increase the maximum excess consumers can choose under their health insurance policies for the first time since 2001,” he said. “This will allow many consumers to reduce their premium increase in 2019.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is promising the upgrade of privatehealth.gov.au to make it easier to compare insurance products.

“We’re also boosting the powers of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman and increasing its resources to ensure consumer complaints are resolved clearly and quickly,” he said. 

“The government is committed to private health insurance and we’re committed to supporting the more than 13 million Australians that have taken out cover.”