<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Millions of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="" title="Australians"><span>Australians</span></a><span> will be paying more for their private </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/health" rel="" target="" title="health insurance"><span>health insurance</span></a><span> from April 1, but new data has revealed a single factor could mean you're paying $828 more per year than your fellow Aussies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians who have stayed with the same health insurance provider for 10 years or more are paying an average of $306.88 per month on premiums, while those who purchased new cover a year ago averaged $237.84 per month, according to </span><a href="https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/home-loans/features/household-budget-barometer-report-2025/" rel="" target="_blank" title="Compare the Market's latest survey"><span>Compare the Market's latest survey</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Over one year, that adds up to a $828.48 cost difference.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>NATIONAL:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/heavy-rain-to-soak-multiple-states-northern-australia/730f950c-9898-4e2e-9f07-99bc1cf817ba" target="_blank"><strong><span>Half of Australia set for major soaking, millions warned</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>BONDI MASSACRE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/naveed-akram-court-updates-bondi-shooter-utters-first-words-in-first-court-showing/11d980a2-4e80-4fb0-9783-e9346478bd1f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Accused terrorist's first words as he appears in court</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That means loyal long-term customers are paying 29 per cent more for their health insurance than those who have switched providers more recently.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The new findings come just weeks ahead of what is expected to be </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-premiums-2026-set-to-rise-with-inflation/e290cba1-e8cf-4ca6-9595-e2612ffd9d26" rel="" target="" title="the largest increase to health insurance premiums"><span>the largest increase to health insurance premiums</span></a><span> in half a decade.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/private-health-insurance-mistake-costing-millions-australians-828-dollars-a-year/2976426f-a24e-4d12-8668-4a1ab05febb2" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Private health insurance premiums are expected to increase by between 3.9 and 4.4 per cent, as the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-costs-secret-reset-adding-hundreds-to-aussie-family-bills/3cf5fdb3-f5cf-4730-af76-3a63080b9503" rel="" target="" title="gap between premiums and health inflation closes"><span>gap between premiums and health inflation closes</span></a><span> post-pandemic.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That kind of premium rise would see singles on a combined hospital and extras policy pay an extra $127 to $144 a year, while families would face another $191 to $216 annually.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australians who stick with the same insurer may think they're being rewarded, but when premiums increase year-on-year, that's often not the case," Compare the Market's Economic Director David Koch said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>WATCH:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/golf/pebble-beach-pro-am-2026-colin-morikawa-min-woo-lee-prize-money-results-18th-hole-shot-reaction-20260216-p5o2mz.html" target="_blank"><strong><span>Aussie's priceless reaction as $5 million win ripped away</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Your insurer isn't going to tell you if you're shelling out more than you need to. It's up to you to take control and look for better value."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The number of people I speak to who have cover for pregnancy when they're well into their 50s and 60s is outrageous - I was one of them until my wife pointed it out."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians spend an average of $255.67 per month on their health insurance, which adds up to $3068 each year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>