Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

708. To ask the Minister for Health the position in respect of a matter (details supplied) regarding the community rating for health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12003/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Lifetime 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 from age 23 years where a full adult premium rate has been paid. In relation to the specific scenario raised, I can confirm that an 'insured person' under a health insurance contract means any person who is party to or named in an inpatient indemnity health insurance contract. Therefore, where a person was named on a health insurance contract and the spouse died, 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.