MORE than 10 million Australians are now covered by private hospital insurance, the highest rate in a decade.

The new figures have prompted Health Minister Nicola Roxon to push ahead with her plan to means-test the private health insurance rebate.

The quarterly figures, released today by the Private Health Insurance Administration Council, showed 45.3 per cent of the population was covered by private hospital insurance, an increase of 2.8 per cent over the 12 months to 30 June 2011.

The increase outstripped the population growth of 1.4 per cent.

Ms Roxon said the growth in private hospital insurance showed the strength of the private health insurance sector and reinforced the Government’s intention to means-test the private health insurance rebate.

“The Government’s proposed changes to the private health insurance rebate will ensure government subsidies through the rebate remain focused on the millions of low and middle income Australians who need and deserve this assistance,” she said.

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