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What does the rate rise postponement mean for me?

<p>Most private health funds have cancelled or postponed their annual premium increase until at least 1 October 2020.</p> <p>The announcement was made by Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) which collectively represents 97% of people covered by private health insurance nationally.</p> <p>Social distancing measures put in place to combat COVID-19 have resulted in large savings for insurers due to the forced closure of many extras providers and the cancellation of elective surgeries.</p> <p>There have also been concerns of mass cancellations due to the widespread financial hardship caused by the pandemic.</p> <p><strong>Which funds have already agreed to postpone the rate rise?</strong></p> <p>As of 9 April 2020, the following funds have already agreed to postpone or cancel their rate rise, and others may well follow suit.</p> <ul> <li>ACA</li> <li>ahm</li> <li>Australian Unity</li> <li>Bupa</li> <li>CBHS Corporate</li> <li>CBHS Health</li> <li>CUA</li> <li>Defence Health</li> <li>Doctors’ Health</li> <li>GMHBA</li> <li>GU Health</li> <li>HBF</li> <li>HCF</li> <li>Health Partners</li> <li>HIF</li> <li>Latrobe</li> <li>Medibank</li> <li>Mildura Heath</li> <li>myOwn</li> <li>Navy Health</li> <li>Nib</li> <li>Nurses &amp; Midwives Health</li> <li>Peoplecare Health</li> <li>Phoenix Health</li> <li>Queensland Teachers’ Union</li> <li>Railway &amp; Transport Health</li> <li>Luke’s Health</li> <li>Teacher’s Health</li> <li>Transport Health</li> <li>TUH</li> <li>Westfund</li> </ul> <p>If you do not see your provider in the list above, be sure to visit their website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.</p> <p><strong>What does this mean for my premium?</strong></p> <p>If your health fund has agreed to the price freeze, this means you will continue to pay your 2019 premium until you are told otherwise by your insurer.</p> <p>Prior to the outbreak, premiums were due to increase by an average of 2.92%, which is the smallest annual increase since 2001.</p> <p>It is likely the price increase will come into effect on October 1 2020, meaning singles will pay on average an additional $35 per year, with families paying an extra $103 more, according to the Minister for Health.</p> <p>While the price freeze is in place, now is a great time to review your health insurance and compare what other providers are offering to ensure you’re paying the right price for the right cover.</p> <p><strong>Are health insurers offering any other relief?</strong></p> <p>Many health funds are also extending additional help to their members in the wake of the ongoing issues caused by the virus.</p> <p>The following measures are being provided by some funds:</p> <ul> <li>Offering comprehensive coverage at no additional cost</li> <li>Giving members the ability to suspend their policies</li> <li>Offering members to access relief on their premiums</li> <li>Providing mental health support via additional phone lines</li> </ul> <p>Get in touch with your fund to learn more about what additional support you could be receiving.</p> <p><strong>Will this affect my level of cover?</strong></p> <p>No, you will still have access to the same level of cover you had prior to the announcement.</p> <p><strong>Will I be covered for costs related to COVID-19?</strong></p> <p>If your fund is represented by Private Healthcare Australia, and you hold any hospital policy, you will be eligible for full hospital coverage if you are affected by coronavirus.</p> <p>If you are not a member of a PHA fund visit your funds’ website for more information regarding coronavirus.</p> <p><strong>How can I continue to save on my health insurance?</strong></p> <p>While the price of private health insurance won’t change for the next six months, after the freeze period it’s expected some insurers may increase premiums by as much as 5.6%.</p> <p>There’s never been a better time to review your health insurance and compare against our panel of providers to ensure you’re prepared for the expected price hike.</p> <p><strong>Get Started Now:</strong></p> <p><strong>Step 1:</strong> Select your <strong>state below</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Step 2:</strong> After answering a few questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes in your area and could be eligible for significant savings.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://healthinsurancecomparison.com.au/form/step1/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=hic-sponsoredarticle-may&amp;utm_content=rate-rise-postponement&amp;utm_term=widget" target="_blank"><img style="width: 399.70501474926243px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835882/hic-060.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5b2d773a43404c3ca150d0bd3022b36d" /></a></p> <p><em>This article is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.</em></p> <p><em>This article is made in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://healthinsurancecomparison.com.au/" target="_blank">Health Insurance Comparison</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Princess Beatrice makes first appearance since postponing her wedding

<p>Princess Beatrice has made her first appearance since the Buckingham Palace announced the postponement of her wedding amid the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson appeared in a video message for her patronage, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, which appeared to have been filmed in her apartment at St James’s Palace.</p> <p>The 31-year-old royal was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven.</p> <p>In the clip shared on Twitter by the charity, Beatrice said the charity is offering its services in “this … incredibly challenging time”.</p> <p>“As patron of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, I just wanted to send this message to say the Helen Arkell charity is open for business,” she said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Our patron, HRH Princess Beatrice, has shared a message about the support Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity is providing during the current crisis. Do get in touch if we can help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dyslexia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dyslexia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/marvellousfemaledyslexics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#marvellousfemaledyslexics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wednesdaymorning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wednesdaymorning</a> <a href="https://t.co/iMQMWy4SkJ">pic.twitter.com/iMQMWy4SkJ</a></p> — Arkell Dyslexia (@ArkellDyslexia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArkellDyslexia/status/1252910486464724995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“Yes, they are doing things online at the moment rather than face to face, but their incredible team of specialists is here to help whenever you need them. Whether that is online courses, tuition sessions, or their online helpline, please get in touch. I would encourage you to look at their website and see what’s available to you.”</p> <p>Earlier this month, it was revealed that Beatrice and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi decided to cancel their wedding plans for May 29.</p> <p>“The couple are sad but pragmatic,” royal reporter Rebecca English wrote on <a href="https://twitter.com/RE_DailyMail/status/1250882393000628224">Twitter</a>.</p> <p>“Even if lockdown is lifted there will likely be restrictions in place. And with the country battling coronavirus, they both feel strongly it’s not the right time for a royal wedding, even a relatively small one.”</p>

Beauty & Style

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Elton John postpones concert days after mother-in-law’s death

<p><span>Elton John announced that he would be postponing his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in Indianapolis due to illness hours before the show on Saturday.</span></p> <p><span>“To my dear fans in Indianapolis, it is with the heaviest heart that I’m forced to deliver the news that I am extremely unwell and therefore unable to perform at [Bankers Life Fieldhouse] tonight,” the 72-year-old said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span>“I absolutely hate to let my fans down, but I owe it to you to put on the best #EltonFarewellTour show possible and unfortunately that’s simply not possible.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4GJcMkjVVw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4GJcMkjVVw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">To my dear fans in Indianapolis, it is with the heaviest heart that I'm forced to deliver the news that I am extremely unwell and therefore unable to perform at @bankerslifefieldhouse tonight. I absolutely hate to let my fans down, but I owe it to you to put on the best #EltonFarewellTour show possible and unfortunately that's simply not possible. The date will be rearranged for March 26th 2020, and I promise I will deliver the show you deserve. Thank you so much for your support and understanding. xx</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/eltonjohn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Elton John</a> (@eltonjohn) on Oct 26, 2019 at 2:12pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>The gig has been rescheduled for March 26, 2020, organisers said.</span></p> <p><span>“We do apologise for any inconvenience caused by this necessary change and wish Elton a speedy recovery.”</span></p> <p><span>The news came a day after the singer’s partner David Furnish announced his mother’s death on Friday.</span></p> <p><span>“She passed away peacefully in the middle of the night, with me and my brothers by her side,” Furnish wrote on an Instagram post.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BYZMGlJhi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BYZMGlJhi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Today I lost my beautiful, angelic Mother. She passed away peacefully in the middle of the night, with me and my brothers by her side. Mum radiated gentle kindness. She was utterly devoted to her family. We all richly benefitted from her patient wisdom and bountiful love. I treasure this photo of Mum and Dad on their wedding day - bursting with joy and fresh-faced optimism over their union and the life they planned to build together. They shared the greatest love I have ever known; A rock-solid foundation from which my brothers and I flourished. Rest in peace Mum. You lived your life impeccably. I will never forget you. I promise to do my best to pass the gifts you gave to me on to my own beautiful sons.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/davidfurnish/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> David Furnish</a> (@davidfurnish) on Oct 24, 2019 at 5:46pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote>

Music

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Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger “on the mend” after surgery

<p>Mick Jagger, frontman of the Rolling Stones, is reportedly “on the mend” after having heart surgery.</p> <p>This is the first time he’s spoken out about his surgery since the announcement of The Stones’ postponing their US and Canada tour. The postponement of the tour was to help Jagger recover.</p> <p>Fran Curtis issued a statement explaining that Jagger is doing “very well” after undergoing “treatment”.</p> <p>“Mick Jagger has successfully undergone treatment. He is doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery,” the statement read.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8505740/mick-jagger-undergoes-successful-heart-valve-procedure" target="_blank">Billboard</a> magazine has reported that the surgery involved the replacement of a heart valve. Despite citing unnamed sources, Billboard explained that doctors were able to access the valve through his femoral artery and were monitoring the star for signs of complications.</p> <p>The surgery that was done on Jagger is known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR, which is an increasingly used alternative to surgical valve replacement that requires the chest to be opened. TAVR allows for shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.</p> <p>Jagger appears to be on the mend, as he thanked the hospital staff for doing a “superb job” and admitted that he’s “feeling much better now”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Thank you everyone for all your messages of support, I’m feeling much better now and on the mend - and also a huge thank you to all the hospital staff for doing a superb job.</p> — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickJagger/status/1114217910237564928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The North American tour has been scheduled to run from April 20 until June 29. However, The Rolling Stones are yet to release any dates for an Australian tour.</p>

Music

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Olivia Newton-John’s health scare

<p>Olivia Newton-John fans will be disappointed to learn the 68-year-old <em>Grease</em> star has been forced to postpone her May concerts due to a bad issue with her sciatica. The Aussie star’s management made the announcement last Tuesday on her Facebook page, promising to reschedule with new dates as soon as possible.</p> <p>ONJ herself took to the social media site yesterday evening to confirm the news, apologising for the inconvenience. “I was so sad to have to postpone some shows this month, and to my fans who planned on coming to my concerts please know I am disappointed too!” she wrote.</p> <p>“I have had a long running issue with sciatica and I need to take this time to rest and deal with this very painful condition.</p> <p>“My husband John is taking great care of me and I want to thank all my family, friends and fans for their concern, love, support and good wishes. I look forward to returning to performing soon!”</p> <p>We wish Olivia all the best in her recovery and hope to see her onstage again soon.</p>

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