BUPA slams ‘risk equalisation’ in health insurance market

The chief executive of BUPA has strongly criticised the "risk equalisation" process in the health insurance market.

Under the scheme, BUPA is expected to subsidise its state-owned rival, the VHI, due to the differences in the customers they target.

The VHI is obliged to provide cover to everybody, while BUPA, as a private firm, can specifically target more profitable and younger clients.

Speaking about the situation today, BUPA CEO Martin O'Rourke says it was unjustified and made no business or economic sense.