There are more people than ever with private medical insurance. 

In a so-called “cost of living crisis”, over 15,000 more people joined Southern Cross last year – and that’s just one company. They now have almost a million customers. 

Having delt with my company recently over a series of issues, I can inform you I pay over $4000 a year and I have never made a claim in my life. 

So far, they are winning. 

But I know a person who had an operation the other day that had a value attached of $40 thousand. It wasn’t a major operation, the surgeon did seven of them that day.  

Seven operations at $40 thousand, that’s a lot of business for one surgeon in one day, in one clinic. Which would explain why Southern Cross was paying out $6 million a day last year.  

Think about it – $6 million for every business day last year 

My obvious question is what's wrong with us? Half of members made a claim last year – there were over 3 million actual claims. How is that possible? 

As a result of all these claims Southern Cross ran a deficit. They also had to deal with increased cost of claims.  

That’s 50%. That 50% by the way, compares to 33% in 2019. So, in the past handful of years there has been an explosion in medical claims. Why? 

Knees up 17%, colonoscopy up 17%, hips up 11% - is that age? Are we all just literally falling apart? 

The simple reality is this can't continue. Well it can, but at a price, and is it any surprise the price is going up? 

Part of the reason the insurance numbers getting up I have no doubt is because the public system is under pressure. 

So a public system not working well on anything outside emergency, and the private system under pressure from ever growing numbers of claims, is it possible we are not well as a country?  

How come so many people are actively engaged with the health system? Are we worse than Australia, for example, and if so, why? 

How long can a private model go for whereby the prices go up and up, along with the claims? We seemingly getting sicker and sicker – why?  

Is this not the cold hard truth that when they say health is a bottomless pit, it’s true? Because these numbers show it is. 

There are more people than ever with private medical insurance.&nbsp;
In a so-called “cost of living crisis”, over 15,000 more people joined Southern Cross last year – and that’s just one company. They now have almost a million customers.&nbsp;
Having delt with my company recently over a series of issues, I can inform you I pay over $4000 a year and I have never made a claim in my life.&nbsp;
So far, they are winning.&nbsp;
But I know a person who had an operation the other day that had a value attached of $40 thousand. It wasn’t a major operation, the surgeon did seven of them that day. &nbsp;
Seven operations at $40 thousand, that’s a lot of business for one surgeon in one day, in one clinic. Which would explain why Southern Cross was paying out $6 million a day last year. &nbsp;
Think about it – $6 million for every business day last year&nbsp;
My obvious question is what's wrong with us? Half of members made a claim last year – there were over 3 million actual claims. How is that possible?&nbsp;
As a result of all these claims Southern Cross ran a deficit. They also had to deal with increased cost of claims. &nbsp;
That’s 50%. That 50% by the way, compares to 33% in 2019. So, in the past handful of years there has been an explosion in medical claims. Why?&nbsp;
Knees up 17%, colonoscopy up 17%, hips up 11% - is that age? Are we all just literally falling apart?&nbsp;
The simple reality is this can't continue. Well it can, but at a price, and is it any surprise the price is going up?&nbsp;
Part of the reason the insurance numbers getting up I have no doubt is because the public system is under pressure.&nbsp;
So a public system not working well on anything outside emergency, and the private system under pressure from ever growing numbers of claims, is it possible we are not well as a country? &nbsp;
How come so many people are actively engaged with the health system? Are we worse than Australia, for example, and if so, why?&nbsp;
How long can a private model go for whereby the prices go up and up, along with the claims? We seemingly getting sicker and sicker – why? &nbsp;
Is this not the cold hard truth that when they say health is a bottomless pit, it’s true? Because these numbers show it is.&nbsp;

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Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Mike's Minute: We seem to be getting sicker and sicker

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c626838d-5647-4fa4-b148-b21001690cd8/transcript