Health insurer Southern Cross is softening its members up for a hike in premiums.
The non-profit outfit has just released figures showing its costs are up by ten per cent.
Southern Cross says the increase in costs is down to rising numbers of claims and a higher cost of
claims.
For example, the average cost of a knee operation has jumped to more than $14,000, while kidney surgery is up $1500 to more than $10,000.
There have also been big jumps in demand with general surgery and minor skin operations both up by a third in the past few years.
Southern Cross says higher premiums are one way to keep pace, but it is also limiting which providers patients can use, to keep a lid on costs.
- NEWSTALK ZB
