Voluntary Health Insurance.

Tuesday, 30 March 2004

Questions (246)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

360 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the practice by VHI of charging a higher subscription for travel insurance for over 65s; and if this practice contravenes the principle of community rating. [9651/04]

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Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The travel insurance product to which the Deputy refers is operated by VHI on an agency basis for an underwriting partner. As the travel insurance product is not a health insurance contract it is not subject to community rating. The underwriting conditions are primarily a matter for the underwriting insurer. It would not have been feasible to apply community rating to a travel insurance product in circumstances where experience rating is the norm.