Ten of thousands of people have singed up for the Big Health Insurance Switch before the latest hike on April 1. Picture: Supplied

In the first three days of the private health insurance campaign more than 28,000 people have signed up to try and score themselves cheaper health insurance premiums.

Just last week Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley announced there would be an average annual health insurance premium hike of 5.6 per cent on April 1, adding about $200 to the cost of family cover.

One Big Switch campaign director Joel Gibson said the fast rate at which people were signing up to the campaign highlighted their sheer annoyance with constant health hikes.

“It’s our fastest growing health insurance campaign yet and we are putting it down to the cumulative impact of increases year on year of hundreds of dollars every time,’’ he said.

“The early signs are there’s an accelerating trend to downgrade or drop health insurance because of the price increases.

“We call on consumers to try to save some money by switching or reviewing their health cover first before they exit the system altogether.”

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The campaign aims to unlock a health insurance group discounts for households who have experienced a 72 per cent price increase over 10 years.

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One Big Switch campaign director Joel Gibson said the fast rate at which people were signing up to the campaign highlighted their sheer annoyance with yet another health premium hike well above inflation.Source:News Corp Australia

To join the campaign households should visit www.onebigswitch.com.au.

There is no obligation to take up any offer.

One Big Switch and News Corp Australia, publisher of this masthead, earn a commission from any accepted deals. News Corp is a shareholder of One Big Switch.

BIG HEALTH INSURANCE SWITCH FAQs

What is the Big Health Insurance Switch?

The Big Health Insurance Switch is a national people power campaign using People Power to try and cut the soaring cost of health insurance for Australian families. The campaign is seeking 40,000 Australian households to register and help unlock group discounted health insurance offers.

Why now?

Health insurance will rise again on April 1 — this time by 5.59 per cent on average, or about $200 for an average family policy. This will mean premiums have risen by 142 per cent since 2002, and by 72 per cent over a decade. Australians cannot afford this level of price inflation and One Big Switch wants to see what People Power can do to bring some relief.

How does it work?

There are three simple steps:

1. You register to demonstrate your support. It only takes a few moments, it costs nothing and you are not obliged to take up any offers negotiated.

2. One Big Switch sources the offers using the massive buying power of the campaign to unlock group discounts for members.

3. You decide. One Big Switch (OBS) will email you any offers it is unable to unlock, and you can take them up if they suit you. If not, you can use them to negotiate with your current provider.

If I join the campaign, what am I getting myself into?

Joining the Big Health Insurance Switch is obligation-free and cost-free. You are simply joining a campaign to help unlock offers. You are under no obligation to take up any offers. You will simply receive the offers by email and decide for yourself. You will also be notified about other One Big Switch special offers and campaigns.

Does it cost anything to take part?

It costs nothing to take part. It is free to join, and free to take part. You decide if any offers are right for you, if One Big Switch is successful.

Will it definitely work?

The campaign is an experiment; There is no guarantee it will succeed. But it is worth trying because families need help to cut the cost of spiralling health cover bills.