Total Arrears Owed by Patients in Restructured Hospitals Each Year Since 2011

Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Health in each year since 2011 (a) what is the total arrears owed by patients in restructured hospitals; (b) what is the amount of arrears that has been written off as bad debt; and (c) what is the percentage of patients who default on their bills.

Between 2018 and 2021, the annual net new arrears incurred by patients and write-offs at the restructured hospitals were around 2.5% and 0.8% of total bills issued respectively. About $50 million to $70 million of bad debts were written off every year, mainly incurred by patients with financial difficulties. Data prior to 2018 is not readily available.