VHI demands BUPA pay bill of €52m per year

HEALTH insurance giant VHI last night demanded the Government clear up the law on its rival insurers so that BUPA Ireland will have to pay its €52 million a year community rating bill.

Under laws to ensure everyone pays the same premium irrespective of age, BUPA is liable to pay the sum to compensate VHI for its higher number of older and more expensive customers.

But Quinn Direct, which is buying BUPA, has insisted it does not have to pay the sum as it is a new insurer and is entitled to a three-year payment holiday.