Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
483. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the treatment of periods of cover for children and parents, where health insurance premiums are paid on their behalf by either their parents or another adult, including a spouse, if any penalties apply to dependants in the event of the policyholder passing away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13055/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLifetime Community Rating (LCR) is being introduced to encourage people to take out health insurance at a younger age, thus helping to spread costs across the market and supporting 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, set at 2% per year for each year over the age of 34, up to a maximum loading of 70% at age 69 and 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 when a full adult premium is paid in respect of anyone, including spouses and dependant students. Therefore, where a person was named on a health insurance contract and the policyholder dies, all prior cover is recognised under LCR. Loadings can be avoided where the individual maintains their health insurance cover or has a break in cover of less than 13 weeks. There is a distinction between the treatment of the period of cover for adults and children, whereby the period of cover for children where child premium rates are paid is not taken into account for the purposes of LCR.
