Some demographic issues affecting private health insurance

Abstract

There will be significant changes in the demography of persons with Private Health Insurance (PHI). Two methods ofprojecting PHI coverage are discussed in this paper. The first assumes the only factors affecting PHI coverage aredemographic change and mortality, and facilitates comparisons between actual and projected PHI coverage.The second projects the percentage of the population insured in each five year age cohort, and makes allowance forchanges in PHI coverage due to all factors. Demographic change will increase Registered Health Benefit Organization(RHBO) premiums by 1.7% per annum. The role of these projections in analysing the effect of future premiumincreases on PHI retention rates is also discussed.