PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
At 31 December 2006, there were 178,500 people covered by private health insurance in the ACT. This was an increase of 7,400 people from 31 December 2005 (171,100).
The ACT continued to maintain a higher proportion of the population with private health insurance than any other state or territory. At 31 December 2006, 54% of the ACT population was covered by private health insurance, which was higher than the national proportion of 43%.
Most private health cover was taken out by people in the age group of 45-49 years (15,500 people) in the ACT, followed by people aged 50-54 years (15,400 people) and 55-59 years (14,800 people).
7.6 Total hospital memberships, ACT - at 31 December |
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| | | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
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| Number of hospital memberships | | | | | | | |
| Males | no. | 80 756 | 80 810 | 81 265 | 82 190 | 85 704 | |
| Females | no. | 86 919 | 87 015 | 87 548 | 88 913 | 92 751 | |
| Persons | no. | 167 675 | 167 825 | 168 813 | 171 103 | 178 455 | |
| Percentage of population | % | 51.6 | 51.9 | 52.0 | 52.5 | 54.0 | |
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| Private Health Insurance Administration Council, Annual Coverage Survey - 31 December. |
