Medibank hikes interim dividend amid primary care pivot
Medibank Group (ASX:MPL) has unveiled its 2026 half-year results, highlighting a period of robust customer engagement and strategic expansion into primary care.
CEO David Koczkar characterised the performance as "another good result," driven by significant momentum in both the core health insurance business and the burgeoning Medibank Health division.
The group reported a $297.8 million underlying net profit after tax, a slight dip of 0.3%, while maintaining an underlying earnings per share of 10.8 cents.
Despite broader economic pressures, the company declared a fully franked interim ordinary dividend of 8.3 cents per share, marking a 6.4% increase.
Customer growth remained a bright spot, with net resident policyholders increasing by 38,300 (1.9%) over the last 12 months, particularly among the 25 to 30-year-old demographic.
Medibank finalised the acquisition of Better Medical, creating one of Australia's largest primary care networks.
The move aligns with their goal to address the high rate of preventable hospital admissions in Australia, which currently sits 30% above the OECD average.
Operational highlights include $3.5 billion in total claims paid to customers, 55% of resident policyholders now engaged with health and wellbeing services and 2.3 million patient interactions delivered via Amplar Health.
Koczkar emphasised that with Australia's healthcare spending at record highs, the focus must shift toward early intervention.
The group remains on track for its 2030 goal of engaging 10 million people in their health and wellbeing.
