Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the Health Insurance Authority consultation paper with respect to lifetime community rating and its application to Defence Forces personnel; if he has made any representations to the Minister for Health on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7344/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the deputy is no doubt aware, Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) Regulations, S.I. No. 312 of 2014, became applicable with effect from 1 May 2015.   Lifetime Community Rating introduced a late entry loading on health insurance premiums for those aged 35 and older taking out private health insurance for the first time. No loading is applied to an insured person if, on 1 May 2015, the person had a continuous period of cover in an in-patient indemnity health insurance scheme prior to that date. The primary purpose of introducing Lifetime Community Rating is to encourage people to purchase private health insurance at a younger age.

The regulation governing the Lifetime Community Rating loadings applies equally to all citizens of the State irrespective of the nature of any health care provided by their employer. It is a matter, therefore, for each citizen to decide whether they wish to take out private health insurance in order to avoid additional loadings for taking out insurance after the age of 34.

Commissioned Officers are currently provided with private health care by the State, i.e., they can be referred by the Defence Forces for private/semi-private treatment in civilian hospitals or private consultants’ rooms, where it is deemed necessary.

Meetings have been held between officials of my Department and the Department of Health on 30 April 2015 and 8 January 2016 to discuss the position of Defence Forces personnel with regard to the Lifetime Community Rating regulations. The Department of Health considers that the arrangements in place for Defence Forces personnel do not comply with health insurance legislation or its key principles of community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and minimum benefit. The Department of Health has forwarded to the Health Insurance Authority the concerns relating to members of the Defence Forces regarding Lifetime Community Rating.

The Health Insurance Authority, the statutory regulator for the Irish private health insurance market, has commenced a review of the operation of the Lifetime Community Rating regulations. It has invited submissions from stakeholders and interested parties via a consultation paper. The concerns relating to members of the Defence Forces have been included in the consultation paper. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 3 March 2017.

I welcome the fact that the Health Insurance Authority has issued the consultation paper. I can confirm that my Department will be making a submission to the Health Insurance Authority as part of the review process reflecting the position of the Defence Organisation.