Health insurance pain will improve: Ley

Many disgruntled Australians are expected to drop their private health cover when prices jump on Friday but the health minister insists things will be better next year.

Sussan Ley told ABC radio on Wednesday she's dismayed by the number of Australians dropping their cover amid skyrocketing premiums but insists a reform package is on the way.

By this time next year, she's confident consumers will see value in having private health insurance: "At the moment, they're questioning that".