Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
655. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health if all periods of health insurance cover are included when determining lifetime community rating loadings and, in view of the high number of returning emigrants, if periods of health insurance in other jurisdictions can be counted towards lifetime community rating loadings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11726/15]
View answerLifetime Community Rating (LCR) is being introduced to encourage people to take out private health insurance at a younger age. Encouraging more people to join the market at younger ages helps spread the costs of older and less healthy people across the market, helping to support affordable premiums for all. There is a nine month grace period, which expires on 30 April 2015, during which time as many people as want to can take out health insurance without incurring loadings. From 1 May 2015, late entry loadings will be applied to those who join the private health insurance market at age 35 or over.
There are exemptions available for people who previously had health insurance but cancelled it. A credited period can apply for any periods of inpatient cover from age 23 years where a full adult premium rate has been paid. The responsibility rests with the individual to prove to the insurer their credited period. When a full adult premium is paid in respect of anyone, including spouses and dependent students, such periods of cover are taken into account for the purposes of Lifetime Community Rating. In such cases, the level of loading will then be reduced by the relevant credited period(s).
These credited periods apply for periods of health insurance cover purchased with registered health insurers in this country. However, anybody who lives outside the State on 1 May 2015, and who moves to take up residence in Ireland, will have a grace period of 9 months to purchase private health insurance without incurring loadings.
