Recent premium increase announcements have prompted many West Australian health fund members to switch to Medibank Private.
West Australian State Sales Manager Bob Payne said that Medibank Private has logged several hundred inquiries and processed many new joins from members previously with other funds.
"Premium increases generally prompt members to re-assess their health cover, and look to see which health fund offers the best value cover," Mr Payne said.
"I think many West Australian health fund members are recognising that, while health costs do continue to rise, Medibank Private has managed to keep its premium increases well below the industry average."
While the industry-wide average premium increase was 7.4%, Medibank Private's national average premium increase was 4.92%.
However Mr Payne said that Medibank Private's WA members fared even better.
"While Medibank Private's national average rate rise was 4.92%, our West Australian increase averaged 4.62%," Mr Payne said.
"And more importantly, we have worked very hard to hold the rate increase at or below the cost of living, or CPI, for over 60% of our West Australian policyholders. With the 30% rebate, this equates to less than 32 cents a week for a single member policy."
Medibank Private is Australia's largest private health fund. In West Australia, it is the second largest fund behind HBF.