Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Health Insurance Levy: Discussion

1:05 pm

Mr. Jim Joyce:

It is possible to be a bit unfair to insurers on this. The contracts were drawn up in circumstances in which the restrictions on advanced and non-advanced plans were not in place. It would be unreasonable to expect them to have anticipated the structure that applies now. As Dr. Lynch said, the introduction of the non-advanced plans was intended to reduce premiums for new entrants and lower-ranked plans. It will do that. The opportunity exists to restructure plans in light of the new definitions. We are confidant that there will be non-advanced plans in the market. Mr. Sloyan is correct that to meet the requirements of a non-advanced plan, it will be necessary in certain cases to reduce particular benefit. It will also be possible for insurers to increase benefits. The point is that it is a different structure.

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