Health and wellness go-to’s young Aussies are turning to: new data
New data has revealed how younger Australians are prioritising their health and wellbeing with good teeth, treatments to soothe sore backs and feet, and caring for their mental health ranking highly.
In the past 12 months, Bupa’s younger millennials and older Gen Z’s aged between 18 and 34 received almost $656 million in combined claims benefits for hospital and extras.
Based on the number of claims, dental topped the list of extras for younger members, followed by physiotherapy, chiropractic, remedial massage, and optical. One customer with ambulance cover received a claim benefit of more than $14,000.
Bupa’s hospital claims data for April 2023 to April 2024 shows that average individual claim benefits for those who needed back, neck, and spine procedures reached almost $12,000. Joint reconstructions had average payouts of almost $5000, and those who needed operations for hernias and appendectomies received more than $4000.
Claims for mental health support were also common for hospital and extras categories, where it came in as the nineth most used extra service.
Bupa Health Insurance Managing Director Chris Carroll said within an environment of cost-of-living challenges, young Aussies continued to take out health insurance in growing numbers, even surpassing other traditional and older cohorts. “We’re continuing to see young Australians taking charge of their individual health and wellbeing based on what good health means to them,” Mr Carroll said.
“They are investing in preventative health such as dental hygiene, mental wellbeing and muscular-skeletal as they realise its critical to their health and to stay well.
“Some of our younger members have also seen firsthand the importance of private health insurance to support treatment and recovery from serious injuries on the sporting field, a burst appendix or even an accident on an e-scooter.
“One of our members received a claim benefit of more than $30,000 for a knee replacement, while a customer who underwent treatment for their back, neck and spine received a claim benefit of almost $12,000. Having ambulance cover as part of their extras also saved one young member a bill of more than $14,000.”
Other popular hospital claims for young people have included dental surgery, rehabilitation, pregnancy and birth and gastrointestinal endoscopies.
COMMON YOUNG PEOPLE (18-34) HOSPITAL CLAIMS
| HOSPITAL CLAIM | AVERAGE BENEFIT |
| Back, Neck and Spine | $11,964 |
| Pregnancy and birth | $6,800 |
| Joint Reconstructions | $4,940 |
| Hernia and Appendix | $4,260 |
| Ear, nose and throat | $3,786 |
| Gynaecology | 3,111 |
| Hospital Psychiatric Services | $2,970 |
| Digestive System | $2,923 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids | $2,524 |
| Gastrointestinal Endoscopy | $1,258 |
| Rehabilitation | $1,218 |
TOP 10 MOST COMMON EXTRAS CLAIMS – YOUNG PEOPLE (18-34)
| EXTRAS TYPE |
| Dental |
| Physiotherapy |
| Chiropractic and Osteopathy |
| Remedial massage |
| Optical |
| Pharmacy |
| Acupuncture |
| Podiatry |
| Mental Health |
| Exercise Physiology |
*Most common extras claims are in order based off number of claims made