<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nearly one in four Australians plan to downgrade or cancel their private </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/health-insurance" rel="" target="_blank" title="health insurance"><span>health insurance</span></a><span> cover when </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/april-one-financial-changes-australia-2026-private-health-insurance-energy-rebate-mortgage-rate-explained/144c4981-2270-48be-8661-bc6ef8b33ec4" rel="" target="" title="premiums increase this week"><span>premiums increase this week</span></a><span>, leaving many worse off.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last month, the federal government approved an average </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-2026-biggest-average-premium-hike-since-2017-to-push-many-households-to-the-edge/e1206a6b-0f7b-44ad-b415-e6d6bf48be17" rel="" target="_blank" title="premium increase of 4.41 per cent"><span>premium increase of 4.41 per cent</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is the biggest private health insurance price hike since 2017 and will cost Australians an extra $80 to $160 a year, depending on their cover.</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>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-30-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/e9266dcd-3f4a-470e-8c77-03535b5205a3" target="_blank"><strong><span>All eyes on National Cabinet to solve fuel crisis</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The actual premium change will </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/private-health-insurance-mistake-costing-millions-australians-828-dollars-a-year/2976426f-a24e-4d12-8668-4a1ab05febb2" target="_blank" title="vary between insurers"><span>vary between insurers</span></a><span> and policies, but some insurers plan to raise prices by an average of up to 5.47 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some Aussies aren't willing or able to cop such a massive price hike in a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/cost-of-living" rel="" target="_blank" title="cost-of-living crisis"><span>cost-of-living crisis</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up to 23 per cent intend to downgrade their cover or cancel their policy entirely due to the price hike, according to a survey from AI digital broker Konkrd.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-premiums-increase-april-1-cancel-downgrade-switch-providers/9df5ccf7-0654-48bd-b60d-1a8a082e648f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The move could leave vulnerable people without private health insurance, or settling for cheaper policies that don't adequately cover their needs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/national-cabinet-meeting-to-address-fuel-crisis-australia-government-response/5fed10a8-4f39-4460-9535-85ca07b51bef" target="_blank"><strong><span>Federal government to avoid 'harsher measures and restrictions' ahead of national cabinet meeting to address Australia's fuel crisis</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some may consider shopping around for a cheaper policy when the price hike hits.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But 35 per cent of Australians admit they have trouble understanding differenceand nearly three in four have read only some or none of their policy documents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When premiums rise, households often reconsider their cover, but decisions made without clarity can create risks," Konkrd co-founder Scott Wilson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If affordability is a concern, reviewing policies, adjusting cover levels or comparing providers can often be more effective than abandoning cover entirely."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Search the table below to find out how much your insurer will hikes prices tomorrow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/apple-almost-went-broke--now-its-celebrating-50-years/0a597f3d-d703-45c4-9a75-44602dec6a8e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Apple almost went broke – now it's celebrating 50 years</span></strong></a></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"><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>