More than 12.5 million Australians have private health insurance, one of the highest rates in the world.
However, premiums have been rising above inflation for years, and since 2010 they've risen by 34 per cent.
Last month, the federal government approved increases to health fund premiums, which will be implemented from this Wednesday (April 1), with members of Westfun, health.com.au and Medibank Private to be hardest hit.
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The government says one of the reasons why premiums have to rise is because benefits paid to members grew by 7.4 per cent last year.
Medibank Private spokesperson Jason Gowie told SBS World News there are two main reasons it lifted premiums.
"We've got more and more people using healthcare services, some of that is directly linked to an ageing population, and the second is there is an increase in the cost of the services provided, and some of that is brought on by improvements in technology."
There are ways to beat the 6.2 per cent increase, but you'll have to act fast.
Watch Choice spokesperson Tom Godfrey explain here:
Making sure you have the right cover, adjusting your excess limit and shopping around can also make a big difference, Mr Godfrey adds.
