Bupa has revealed its most common claims of the year with more than 123,000 gastrointestinal endoscopies performed through hospital cover, while dental topped the list for extras with more than 9.8 million claims.
The data for the year also shows Bupa’s most expensive benefit paid was more than $700,000 for a digestive condition followed by $669,000 for a pregnancy-related hospital stay.
Hospital claims included more than 85,000 cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and almost 80,000 claims were made for dialysis for kidney failure.
Bupa said more than 13,000 of its members underwent hip and knee replacements with an average benefit of more than $24,000. Those who went to hospital for heart-related procedures, such as valve replacements and coronary bypasses, had an average benefit paid of almost $9,000.
Dental was the most common extras service used, with one benefit reaching $3,800, while a member with ambulance cover in their extras received a benefit of more than $20,000 after requiring the flying doctor service in an emergency.
Bupa Health Insurance managing director Chris Carroll said the company paid about $3.9 billion in hospital cover and extras for its domestic customers between January and September this year.
“Our members have seen first-hand how important it is to have health insurance with some members receiving paid benefits of more than $700,000,” he said.
"The strong uptake in private health insurance supports our world-leading mixed health system including taking pressure off our long public hospital waiting lists while giving Australians choice in their health care.”
Mr Carroll encouraged members to make the most of their extras benefits because limits reset on 1 January.
“This is a busy time of year, and we can sometimes push prioritising our health down the list,” he said.
“We want our members to make the most of their health insurance so now is the time to check your extras usage and squeeze in that massage, podiatry or acupuncture appointment, if you need to.”