PHI 69/21 Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 5) 2021

This circular provides an update on the Nursing-Home Type Patient (NHTP) accommodation indexation, 20 September 2021.

Date published:
PHI circular type:
PHI announcement
Audience:
Health sector

The Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No.5) 2021 (the Amendment Rules) amend the Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011 (the Benefit Requirements Rules) and the Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015 (the Complying Product Rules).

The Amendment Rules were registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 17 September 2021 and commence on 20 September 2021.

NHTP contributions and minimum insurer benefits are indexed twice annually, on 20 March and 20 September.

Patient contribution

From 20 September 2021, the minimum statutory daily patient contribution rate payable by a nursing-home type patient (NHTP) under the Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015 at a private hospital will increase from $63.05 to $64.05 per day.

The daily patient contribution rate payable by NHTP at public hospitals is at Table 1, below.

Public hospital: State/Territory Minimum benefit payable by patient per night
Australian Capital Territory $63.05
New South Wales $64.05
Northern Territory $63.05
Queensland $64.05
South Australia $64.05
Tasmania $64.05
Victoria $64.05
Western Australia $64.05

Minimum benefit payable by private health insurers for NHTP

The Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011 establish the minimum benefit payable per night by private health insurers for NHTP in hospitals.

From 20 September 2021, the minimum benefit payable by insurers for NHTP in private hospitals will be $47.05; rates for public hospitals are in Table 2, below.

Public hospital: State/Territory Minimum benefit payable by insurer per night
Australian Capital Territory $133.00
New South Wales $140.10
Northern Territory $133.15
Queensland $137.50
South Australia $126.00
Tasmania $153.70
Victoria $140.00
Western Australia $138.10

Further details on the amendments are included in the Explanatory Statement accompanying the Amendment Rules available on the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au by searching ‘Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No.5) 2021’.