Health insurers have asked Labor to allow annual premium increases of up to 6 per cent, warning that some funds will collapse or be forced to cancel premium hospital cover if the amount they charge policyholders does not keep up with healthcare inflation.

Private Healthcare Australia, which represents major player health insurers including Medibank, Bupa and Nib, also said on Friday it expected friction with hospital operators, surgical equipment suppliers and parts of the medical profession to increase as rising costs put pressure on the healthcare system. .

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