Bupa Found Guilty

Bupa Found Guilty - Pays $35M After Deceiving Customers on Health Claims

“They Said I Wasn’t Covered” Thousands of Seniors Misled by Health Insurance Giant Bupa

June 30, 2025 | Health Alert | For Australians Over 60

“They Said I Wasn’t Covered”—Thousands of Seniors Misled by Health Insurance Giant Bupa

June 30, 2025 | Health Alert | For Australians Over 60

Bupa, one of Australia’s largest private health insurers, is facing a massive $35 million lawsuit from the ACCC after it was revealed they misled thousands of Australians—many of them seniors—into paying out-of-pocket for treatments that should have been covered.

For over five years, Bupa customers were told they weren’t eligible for hospital benefits—even when their policies covered at least part of the cost. The result? Pensioners, parents, and everyday Aussies were left with devastating medical bills, cancelled surgeries, and unnecessary financial stress.

❝ They told me I wasn’t covered. I cancelled the procedure because I couldn’t afford it. Turns out, they were wrong. ❞
— June T., 66, NSW

According to the ACCC, Bupa’s internal systems and lack of staff training led to the complete rejection of claims when two or more procedures were performed at once. This practice, called “mixed coverage,” caused thousands of legitimate claims to be wrongly denied.

The Real-World Impact

• 4,100+ claims mishandled

• Seniors paid thousands out of pocket

• Some cancelled or delayed essential medical treatments

• Others upgraded to expensive policies they didn’t actually need

Bupa has already paid $14.3 million in partial compensation, but that’s just the beginning. The ACCC is calling the conduct “unconscionable,” saying it put vulnerable Australians at risk of worsening health complications.

❝ This should never have happened. Customers deserve better. ❞
— ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb

A Pattern of Abuse?

This isn’t the first time Bupa has been caught out. In 2020, they were fined $6 million for charging aged care residents for services they never provided.

Now, with premiums rising and private hospitals under strain, everyday Aussies—especially seniors—are being urged to check their cover before it’s too late.

Are You Over 60?

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