Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
845 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of customers who have left the private health insurance market by county; the average change in premiums over the last year and since Budget 2012; the maximum increase in premiums over those time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26269/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there has been a decrease in the numbers with private health insurance, by 76,000 in the year to end-March 2012, it is important to note that the decline in private health insurance coverage is modest to-date, at less than 4% of the overall market. This leaves some 2.139 million, or 46.6% of the population, covered by private health insurance. Even in the current difficult financial climate, the vast majority of consumers with private health insurance are retaining some level of health insurance cover.
The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) is the statutory regulator of the private health insurance market in Ireland and provides information to consumers regarding their rights and health insurance plans and benefits. With regard to the number of customers who have left the private health insurance market by county, the HIA has advised that it does not compile figures on the geographical profile of the health insurance market. In relation to the average change in premiums, the HIA has estimated that the average premium increase per customer is 12 per cent, when comparing the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012. The highest increases were 49% for VHI Healthcare's PMI 0611 Plan (€711 to €1060); 37% for Laya Healthcare's Company Care Choice (€713 to €974) and 37% for Aviva Health's Level 2 Hospital (€941 to €1291), although it is important to note that a relatively small number of consumers hold these specific health insurance plans and are affected by these increases. The HIA has informed my Department that any figures calculated for time periods of less than one year (i.e. since Budget 2012) would be distorted, as this is usually the time of the year that insurers normally apply price changes.
I would strongly advise consumers to shop around for the health insurance plan that best suits their needs. Consumers have a legal right to switch between or within insurers to get better value and to reduce their premium costs. All customers should carefully consider the full range of plans and levels of cover available within the market, so that their own needs are fully met. Where customers wish to switch products, the relevant health insurance legislation ensures that switching is as easy and seamless as possible for customers. In addition to the choices available to consumers in the health insurance market, the Government's clear objective is for the health insurance market to remain as competitive and affordable as possible, as we move towards a new system of Universal Health Insurance.
