The Australian Dental Association is urging for tougher laws to provide more transparency, saying there is confusion and uncertainty around private health insurance extras.
"They sign up for policies believing these will make medical and dental care more affordable but say they don't know what's covered," association president Chris Sanzaro said of its members and patients.
"The policy small print doesn't even cover what's included and what isn't - hidden 'business rules' from insurers deny claims at the time they're needed.
"Consumers have no visibility of this unless they take a quote in - which is not always achievable with urgent situations - or when they get denied at the time of claiming."
The association has spoken out after Private Healthcare Australia welcomed a move for specialist doctors to be obligated to disclose fees on the government's Medical Costs Finder website.
"Whilst PHA calls for more transparency in medical fees, the ADA calls for more transparency in health insurance products," Dr Sanzaro said.
Private health insurance premiums were rising at a higher rate than dental fees, he said.
A 3.73 per cent increase in private health insurance premiums was announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers from April 1, compared to 3.03 per cent the previous year.
Dr Sanzaro said it had come at a time when dentists had tried to assist patients by keeping fees below inflation.
"It may well be a step too far for many households holding health insurance," he said.
"This could be the cost-of-living blowout that sees people ditching their (private health insurance) and avoiding essential medical care including dentistry.
Private Healthcare Australia said there was no evidence health insurance premiums were increasing at a higher rate than dental fees.
"APRA data shows health insurance rebates for dental care increased 7.9 per cent last year to over $3.6 billion - a record high amount," CEO Rachel David said.
Dr David said dentists should offer to publish their fees for their five most common services on their websites, but had not agreed to do so to date.
"If dentists are serious about transparency, they should offer to publish their fees on the Medical Costs Finder website alongside specialist doctors so consumers can find a local dentist who charges reasonably before they commit to attend a clinic."
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