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Private hospital use increases with private insurance in Australia
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Private hospitals in Australia have increased their admissions by 85% over a 10 year period, compared to a 20% increase in admissions to public hospitals during the same time frame, according to an Australian government report.
The increase in private hospital admissions coincides with an increase in the number of Australian citizens with private health insurance, according to the report.
Approximately 52% of national hospitalizations were for ambulatory procedures, the reports said; of those, 48% were in public hospitals and 60% were in private hospitals.
Ophthalmology and orthopedic surgery had the longest median waiting times for patients. Those awaiting ophthalmic surgery waited an average of 57 days before being admitted. Most surgical specialties had a waiting time of less than 30 days, according to the report.