Almost 70 per cent of Australians with private health insurance have considered ditching or downgrading their cover in the last year in the face of relentless price rises and diminishing value for money, polling has found.

Close to 80 per cent of people believe health insurance companies put profits before patients and more than 90 per cent are concerned they're trying to "Americanise" the health system to boost their bottom line.

Close to 80 per cent of people believe health insurance companies put profits before patients, a new poll says. Credit:Andreas Rentz

The new ReachTEL polling shows just how displeased and distrustful Australians have become of their health insurance providers.

The average cost of premiums has gone up by about 35 per cent since 2010, well outpacing inflation. This is believed to be a key reason why people are starting to abandon private cover.